As part of a $24 million initiative to increase equitable access to high-paying careers and bolster the state’s infrastructure workforce, Governor Wes Moore announced $4 million in grants through the new Road to Careers program, which aims to train nearly 1,200 Marylanders for skilled jobs in construction and transportation.
According to the press statement that was sent out on Wednesday, June 19: The first round of grantees of the Road to Careers award was announced by Governor Wes Moore today. The $24 million, six-year investment will increase the supply of highly qualified laborers needed to construct the vital transportation infrastructure in the state. Today’s $4 million in awards will train almost 1,200 Marylanders for skilled construction and maintenance professions that are in high demand.
Gov. Moore stated that in order to expand our economy, we must continue to provide new opportunities for employment, income, and wealth for all Marylanders, regardless of their career path. The state will gain from this, which is an extension of our multi-year campaign to increase apprenticeships. By working together, we are reducing the disparity in wealth between races and increasing everyone’s access to opportunities.
The Maryland Department of Labor and the Maryland Department of Transportation collaborated on the Road to Careers initiative, which aims to improve the state’s talent pool for positions in the construction and transportation industries. In addition to creating career pathways for Marylanders who have historically faced systemic barriers to employment, such as low-income individuals, individuals involved in the justice system, and English language learners, the program increases access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, thereby meeting critical industry demand.
Road to employment supports employers in creating a more diverse, skilled workforce while assisting participants in obtaining good, family-sustaining employment. The program provides wraparound support services that address typical work hurdles, such as childcare, transportation, and mental health requirements, all of which contribute to the state’s racial wealth gap, in order to enable more equitable access to high-skilled employment.
According to Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu, these investments will assist prepare the next generation of workers for good jobs that support the growth of a world-class transportation system.We appreciate Secretary Wiedefeld and MDOT’s collaboration in promoting creative approaches to expand our state’s economy and workforce at a pivotal time.
From enrollment through job placement and beyond, grantees will provide comprehensive assistance and link participants to validated training models. Through the first round of funding, the following organizations were awarded $500,000 grants to support communities around Maryland:
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Chesapeake College
: Caroline County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne s County, Talbot County
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Civic Works
: Baltimore City
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Construction Trades Workforce Initiative
: Prince George s County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City
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Hagerstown Community College
: Washington County
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HER Resiliency Center
: Baltimore City
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Ironworkers Local Union #5 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
: Prince George s County
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Mayor s Office of Employment Development
: Baltimore City
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Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland
: Calvert County, Charles County, St. Mary s County
According to Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, these subsidies will assist MDOT and the state’s transportation sector as a whole in effectively training and giving thousands of Marylanders a route to well-paying employment.These positions are in high demand right now and will support the construction of significant infrastructure projects around the state. MDOT is honored to collaborate with Secretary Wu and her staff on this initiative and make an investment in economic development for all Marylanders, thanks to Governor Moore and his leadership.
Ironworkers Local 5 Business Manager Aaron Bast expressed gratitude to Governor Moore and Secretaries Wu and Wiedefeld for their leadership in establishing the Road to Careers project. With the help of this financing, we will be able to give our apprentices more support, which will improve retention and eventually help more Marylanders secure and maintain well-paying union employment.
Natasha Guynes, the founder and president of the HER Resiliency Center, expressed her pride in the organization’s selection for a Road to Careers award. Our goal of increasing the number of women in the trades through skill training and complete, all-encompassing supports like childcare and housing is ideally aligned with this award.
In the upcoming months, the Maryland Department of Labor expects further funding rounds.
Visit labor.maryland.gov/employment/roadtocareers to find out more about Road to Careers and the grants that have been given out.
