ANEW, the oldest continuously running pre-apprenticeship program in the nation, continues to focus on equity and inclusion in the construction industry, especially for women, people of color, and those who are gender diverse.
The main program ANEW offers is pre-apprenticeship training classes. In these free, 11-week, part-time programs, students gain the skills, knowledge, and industry certifications that ultimately set them up to be hired as an apprentice, starting at a wage of $20-$26 per hour.
During the course, they learn about the different types of trades within construction by visiting several job sites and going on tours at the local apprenticeship halls. They also dedicate time to sharpening their math skills, which are essential when it comes to measuring and calculating different materials on the job site.
In addition, time is spent on professional development, including but not limited to: help with resumes, speed mentoring, and two rounds of mock interviews to help students practice for their final apprenticeship interviews.
A difference in the community
ANEW is proud to be an organization that has helped place over 1,800 people in construction careers over the past 40 years. This has been made possible by their strong partnerships with over 17 apprenticeship programs in the Puget Sound region.
In addition to the apprenticeship programs, ANEW collaborates with public partners, other pre-apprenticeship programs, and employers. ANEW also offers financial support services to clients for two years, resulting in increased retention for pre-apprenticeship graduates.
In addition to a wealth of career programs, students are also offered access to an AOP (apprenticeship opportunities project), which provides tailored employment navigation, direct connections to employers, work gear and tools, tuition coverage, and so much more. Additional programs like Youth Exploration and RiseUp (Respect, Inclusion, Safety and Equality in the Construction Trades) help ANEW keep its finger on the pulse of what’s important in the industry.