Construction Trades Workforce Initiative

06/18/2026

Nahom Fessehaye Solomon graduated in May 2026 from Raising the Bar, our free six-week pre-apprenticeship program. That very same day, he also learned he had been accepted into the apprenticeship program with Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5.

Together, we are strengthening pathways into family-sustaining union construction careers and building a better future for all of us!

Learn more about Raising the Bar at a Zoom info session at 5pm TODAY, June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

📌 Register at: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

06/11/2026

"Programs like this help people like me who did not know these opportunities existed. This program gave us direction. It gave us confidence. And it gave us a real chance to step into something bigger for ourselves."

— Julie Ventura, Spring 2026 Raising the Bar Graduate
Together, we are strengthening pathways into family-sustaining union construction careers and building a better future for all of us!

Learn more about Raising the Bar at a Zoom info session at 5pm on June 18th. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

📌 Reserve your info session seat today! Visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

06/04/2026

On May 22nd, Henos Woldemichael celebrated his graduation from Raising the Bar, our free six-week pre-apprenticeship program. That very same day, he also learned he had been accepted into the apprenticeship program with Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5.

Together, we are strengthening pathways into family-sustaining union construction careers and building a better future for all of us!

Henos previously worked non-union construction. "With that non-union experience," he says, "it just makes the union so much sweeter. Because I know exactly how it feels to not know when your pay raise is gonna come. Or work unsafe conditions, fear for your own safety, just because you don't wanna lose your job."

Learn more about Raising the Bar at a Zoom info session TODAY June 4 at 5pm, or at the same time June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

To register, visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

05/30/2026

It was an overflow crowd today for our Raising the Bar info session at Liuna Local Seven Ten in Baltimore!

Attendees learned details about how our free six-week pre-apprenticeship program helps participants to:

🔨 Jumpstart new construction careers.
🔨 Learn about various apprenticeship options.
🔨 Participate in hands-on construction projects.
🔨 Explore high-paying union jobs.
🔨 Practice math skills & interviews, update resumes.
🔨 Connect with tradespeople, training directors & employers.

Couldn't make it today but want to learn more? Join us for a Zoom info session at 5pm on June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

📌 Reserve your info session spot today! Visit:
https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

05/29/2026

“If public dollars are going into major developments, then D.C. residents deserve pathways into good union jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits.”

- D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George speaking at the May 22nd DC Raising the Bar graduation ceremony.

One great pathway into the union trades is Raising the Bar — our free, six week pre-apprenticeship program.

Learn more about Raising the Bar at an in-person info session Saturday, May 30, from 10am to 12pm in Baltimore, or via Zoom info sessions June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

To register, visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

05/22/2026

Today we celebrated with 11 newly minted graduates of Raising the Bar DC, our free six-week pre-apprenticeship program.

One grad couldn't make it today... because he's already out on the job working as an IBEW member! Two more had an extra reason to celebrate today, as they just learned they have been accepted into the apprenticeship program with Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5.

We were honored to be joined by DC Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, who was the event's keynote speaker.

Together, we are strengthening pathways into family-sustaining union construction careers and building a better future for all of us!

Learn more about Raising the Bar at an in-person info session Saturday, May 30, from 10am to 12pm in Baltimore, or via Zoom info sessions June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

05/15/2026

🪚 TRAIN FOR IN-DEMAND UNION JOBS 🪚
Start earning, learning and advancing in the building trades!

Building trades apprentices earn while they learn, have great benefits and regular raises, and get invaluable on-the-job experience and mentorship.

Our FREE six-week pre-apprenticeship program, Raising the Bar, introduces participants to the building trades and various apprenticeship options, helping them to:

🔨 Jumpstart new construction careers.
🔨 Learn hands-on construction skills.
🔨 Explore high-paying union jobs.
🔨 Practice math skills & interviews, update resumes.
🔨 Connect with tradespeople, training directors & employers.

Join us for an in-person info session Saturday, May 30, from 10am to 12pm in Baltimore, or via Zoom info sessions June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

📌 Reserve your info session seat today! Visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

Raising the Bar Info Sessions Raising the Bar Info Sessions Please fill out the form below and select an upcoming Raising the Bar in-person or virtual info session. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a calendar invite and a Zoom link (if you select a virtual session). Visit ou...

05/07/2026

BUILD YOUR FUTURE - STARTING TODAY!

🪚 Want a career with great pay and benefits and ZERO student debt? Get trained, get ready and get hired! 🔨

Sign up for an upcoming Raising the Bar info session and learn how our free 6-week pre-apprenticeship program can help launch your rewarding, lifelong career in the building trades.

📌 Join us for an in-person info session May 30 in Baltimore, or via Zoom info sessions June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28. 📌

To register for an info session, visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

Raising the Bar Info Sessions Raising the Bar Info Sessions Please fill out the form below and select an upcoming Raising the Bar in-person or virtual info session. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a calendar invite and a Zoom link (if you select a virtual session). Visit ou...

05/04/2026

May the 4th be with you as you explore new career opportunities in the building trades!

Want to accelerate your construction career faster than the Millennium Falcon did the Kessel Run? Check out Raising the Bar — our FREE six-week pre-apprenticeship progrm.

Join us for an in-person info session May 30 in Baltimore, or via Zoom info sessions June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

🚀 Strap into your info session seat and launch today! 🚀

Visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

Raising the Bar Info Sessions Raising the Bar Info Sessions Please fill out the form below and select an upcoming Raising the Bar in-person or virtual info session. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a calendar invite and a Zoom link (if you select a virtual session). Visit ou...

04/30/2026

🪚 SKIP THE GUESSWORK. START BUILDING YOUR FUTURE TODAY! 🪚

Building trades apprentices earn while they learn, have great benefits and regular raises, and get invaluable on-the-job experience and mentorship.

Our FREE six-week pre-apprenticeship program, Raising the Bar, helps participants to:

🔨 Jumpstart new construction careers.
🔨 Get an introduction to various trades.
🔨 Learn hands-on construction skills.
🔨 Explore high-paying union jobs.
🔨 Practice math skills & interviews, update resumes.
🔨 Connect with tradespeople, training directors & employers.

Join us for an in-person info session May 30 in Baltimore, or via Zoom info sessions June 4, June 11 or June 18. Our Baltimore program will run from July 20 to August 28.

📌 Reserve your info session seat today! Visit: https://bdcbt.org/apprenticeship/rtb-info-sessions/

Raising the Bar Info Sessions Raising the Bar Info Sessions Please fill out the form below and select an upcoming Raising the Bar in-person or virtual info session. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a calendar invite and a Zoom link (if you select a virtual session). Visit ou...