A New Beginning
In 2023, the Maine Construction Academy kicked off its Construction Immersion Program, a registered pre-apprenticeship program overseen and managed by the Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine). In two years, participation in the program has grown from 50 learners and young adults to more than 200 statewide. This includes 11 new locations and industry partners, expanding the program to support 15 cohorts. Its retention rate of 98%, with only one student of the first 50 left the program, reflects the values and commitment of the participants.
Program in the Making
AGC Maine focused on several key areas in developing its Construction Immersion Program — funding, program structure, and employer involvement. Kelly Flagg is the executive director of AGC Maine. As the new director in 2022, she discovered that the chapter had been awarded a $1.5 million state grant applied for by its previous executive director.
Kelly said, “It fell on my desk. You don’t always get to walk into that kind of money for a project.” The grant swiftly addressed funding issues, allowing the association to focus on program design and implementation to get the program off the ground.
As a pre-apprenticeship, the Construction Immersion Program was designed specifically to help participants, 16- to 20-year-olds, enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship. The program consists of classroom instruction, ten days of hands-on experience with local companies, and other benefits, including a weekly stipend, tools, and outerwear for its participants.
Classroom Curriculum
Referencing the program’s classroom instruction components, Kelly speaks highly of AGC Maine’s partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Local high schools shared their instructors, who received NCCER’s instructor training through AGC Maine. This collaboration ensured all instructors used the same materials — curriculum, presentations, and tests — in a standardized format.
NCCER’s curriculum meets the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship requirements for time-based training. Therefore, if the same curriculum is used by Registered Apprenticeship Programs that partner with the Construction Immersion Program, participants can continue with their apprenticeship after the program. This approach reflects Principle 4 of Advance CTE’s CTE Without Limits vision by incorporating industry-recognized credentials like the NCCER Core, which help ensure learners’ skills are portable and valued across various programs and states.
Standardized Construction Training and Certification Model
The benefits of NCCER accreditation provide organizations a full workforce development solution – to deliver standardized training and assessment programs for industry-recognized, portable credentials. Accredited organizations must meet and maintain established standards and criteria to ensure integrity in program administration.
Flexible, Digital Instruction
Online training materials help provide learners with the flexibility needed to accommodate their busy schedules, whether they’re interested in exploring a new skill or pursuing full journey-level certification. Online materials also help instructors devote classroom time to hands-on instruction. NCCERconnect offers interactive, online training for many of the most popular curricula and learning materials for additional crafts are available digitally as eText.
Hands-On Learning
To be successful in the field, performance training and evaluation enables learners to master hands-on construction skills in real-world environments. NCCER’s performance testing helps ensure learners are productive, safe, and confident in using their skills after earning NCCER credentials.
Local Employers Connect
To ensure their efforts would develop a solid talent pipeline for local companies, AGC Maine designed the Construction Immersion Program with two important requirements for employers.
The first requirement: employers must actively participate to have access to hiring the program’s graduates. “Each contractor has one day with the participants.” Kelly explained, “That’s six hours to present their craft, their company, and what the opportunity looks like. They either go to an active construction site for a meaningful hands-on experience, or the contractor comes to the school to provide one on-site.”
The second requirement: participating companies must have a Registered Apprenticeship Program. This ensures participants who sign on with a participating company may continue their education after program completion – it’s a win-win. Kelly added, “AGC can support those companies in becoming a Registered Apprenticeship Program if the concept is new to them.” Upon completion, the program guarantees participants at least three interviews with employers.
Providing Career Paths for Maine’s Youth
At the heart of the Construction Immersion Program is its impact on learners and young adults seeking hands-on career guidance. Throughout the four weeks, participants learn about a variety of crafts and disciplines including carpentry, electrical, welding, crane operation, highway construction, and heavy equipment mechanics. They also receive financial literacy training, resumé preparation, and guidance in developing interviewing skills.
By completing the program and earning an NCCER Core credential, graduates have the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in construction. “We knew that we wanted to use a curriculum that would have a portable credential.” Kelly said, “Our goal is to start someone on a career path.” Additionally, participants earn their OSHA 10 certification and first aid CPR certification.
Lifelong Success
Pre-apprenticeship programs like the Construction Immersion Program are a tangible way that high schools, local employers, and organizations like AGC can partner in transforming learners’ interests into opportunities for lifelong careers.
Enhanced Construction Training
Take your team to the next level using NCCER’s programs to prioritize training, improve safety, and develop future leaders.
Reach out to the NCCER Workforce Development Solutions team to discuss a tailored program that meets the state requirements, needs and goals.
William Bales, NCCER
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