This pilot program in Buffalo trains entry level workers for successful placement in the building trades and skilled trades’ apprenticeship programs. As a pre-apprenticeship program, BTPAP does not attempt to replicate the specialized training that is part of an apprenticeship program. Rather, BTPAP uses a “holistic approach” to basic skills development, including construction related mathematics, job search training, and exposure to various fields of skilled labor and their professional cultures. These fields include cement masons, roofers, plumbers, steamfitters, iron workers, electricians, plasterers and carpenters. Beyond skills enhancement, this program also seeks to instill the basic awareness that construction and skilled trades are viable employment option for minorities, women, and people living in poverty. BTPAP helps build confidence in each program graduate – allowing them to reach new opportunities in the skilled labor market

Cimasi, Michael Charles

English

This pilot program in Buffalo trains entry level workers for successful placement in the building trades and skilled trades’ apprenticeship programs. As a pre-apprenticeship program, BTPAP does not attempt to replicate the specialized training that is part of an apprenticeship program. Rather, BTPAP uses a “holistic approach” to basic skills development, including construction related mathematics, job search training, and exposure to various fields of skilled labor and their professional cultures. These fields include cement masons, roofers, plumbers, steamfitters, iron workers, electricians, plasterers and carpenters. Beyond skills enhancement, this program also seeks to instill the basic awareness that construction and skilled trades are viable employment option for minorities, women, and people living in poverty. BTPAP helps build confidence in each program graduate – allowing them to reach new opportunities in the skilled labor market.EconomicDevelopment__Building_Trades_Pre_Apprenticeship_Program.pdf: 63 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

eCommons@Cornell

Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Job Training Program for Disadvantaged Workers

DigitalCommons@ILR

Cornell University ILR School 
DigitalCommons@ILR 
Buffalo Commons Centers, Institutes, Programs 
5-2012 
Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Job Training 
Program for Disadvantaged Workers 
Michael Charles Cimasi 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/buffalocommons 
Thank you for downloading an article from DigitalCommons@ILR. 
Support this valuable resource today! 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Centers, Institutes, Programs at 
DigitalCommons@ILR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Buffalo Commons by an authorized administrator of 
DigitalCommons@ILR. For more information, please contact catherwood-dig@cornell.edu. 
If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an 
alternate format, contact web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. 
Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Job Training Program for 
Disadvantaged Workers 
Abstract 
This pilot program in Buffalo trains entry level workers for successful placement in the building trades 
and skilled trades’ apprenticeship programs. As a pre-apprenticeship program, BTPAP does not attempt 
to replicate the specialized training that is part of an apprenticeship program. Rather, BTPAP uses a 
“holistic approach” to basic skills development, including construction related mathematics, job search 
training, and exposure to various fields of skilled labor and their professional cultures. These fields 
include cement masons, roofers, plumbers, steamfitters, iron workers, electricians, plasterers and 
carpenters. Beyond skills enhancement, this program also seeks to instill the basic awareness that 
construction and skilled trades are viable employment option for minorities, women, and people living in 
poverty. BTPAP helps build confidence in each program graduate – allowing them to reach new 
opportunities in the skilled labor market. 
Keywords 
Buffalo, Economic Development, Workforce Development, Fact Sheet, PPG, PDF 
This article is available at DigitalCommons@ILR: https://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/buffalocommons/179 
  
 
 
1 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program: 
Job Training Program for Disadvantaged Workers 
Michael Charles Cimasi 
SUNY at Buffalo Law Student 
 
 
What is the Building Trade Pre-Apprenticeship Program 
(BTPAP)?  
This pilot program in Buffalo trains entry 
level workers for successful placement in the 
building trades and skilled trades’ 
apprenticeship programs.  As a pre-
apprenticeship program, BTPAP does not 
attempt to replicate the specialized training that is part of an 
apprenticeship program. Rather, BTPAP uses a “holistic approach” to 
basic skills development, including construction related mathematics, job 
search training, and exposure to various fields of skilled labor and their 
professional cultures.i  These fields include cement masons, roofers, 
plumbers, steamfitters, iron workers, electricians, plasterers and 
carpenters.  Beyond skills enhancement, this program also seeks to instill 
the basic awareness that construction and skilled trades are viable 
employment option for minorities, women, and people living in poverty.  
BTPAP helps build confidence in each program graduate – allowing them 
to reach new opportunities in the skilled labor market.ii   
 
BTPAP resembles similar initiatives around the country.  Other examples 
include: 
• New Skills Builder program in Chicago,  
• Nontraditional Employment for Women in New York, and 
2 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
• the Pre-Apprenticeship Program offered through the State Building 
& Construction Trades Council of California.iii   
 
Is there unmet demand for skilled labor and trades-workers? 
This question can depend greatly on the industry and the season.  
Currently in Western New York, the MEP Trades (Mechanical, Electrical, 
and Plumbing) have been experiencing acute shortages, and, as a result, 
have been importing skilled laborers from out-of-state.iv  Many smaller-
scale roofing and home-improvement companies have also experienced a 
lack of reliable workers.v  This can cause companies to scale down 
operations, because expansion without reliable labor can cause 
overextension of resources.  In the construction trades, time is money.vi  
Once a job is signed, and financing arrangements are made for supplies 
and equipment, prolonging the job can narrow the profit margin and cause 
significant hardships for the developers.   
 
Timothy Pettit is a skilled carpenter who has owned and operated TMP 
Home Improvement in Buffalo for over fifteen years.  Mr. Pettit 
subcontracts from many larger home 
improvement and roofing operations, as well as 
runs his own job sites ranging from roofing to 
full scale home remodeling.  He stated quite 
unequivocally, “during the work seasonvii I can 
usually sell more jobs than I can staff at any 
given time.”  Mr. Pettit believes this to be the case with most small to 
medium sized home improvement companies.  He has experienced a 
consistent “lack of reliable workers, especially young ones.”viii  
 
With the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Corridor project breaking new ground 
each year, the demand for construction workers and skilled trades will 
likely continue to rise.  But realizing that the job market is elastic, and that 
3 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
glutting the local market with trades-workers is not sensible, Tyra Johnson 
at BTPAP has committed to “right-sizing” ix her program to effectively 
“connect people with jobs in our current recessionary economy.”x 
 
Who does BTPAP program benefit, and why? 
BTPAP benefits a wide range of interests and groups within the Western 
New York Community.  Principally, this program benefits the participants 
and graduates.  The BTPAP focuses on outreach to isolated, under-served 
and disadvantaged communities; the program seeks to provide new 
pathways to employment at a living wage.  Wages in the skilled trades can 
vary widely, and are mostly based on skill requirements and occasionally 
licensure, but they are quite good when compared with low-skill jobs.xi  
According to Mr. Pettit, for example, skilled roofers can be paid anywhere 
from $14.00 to $20.00 per hour. 
 
Local employers can find a steady flow of trainable workers graduating 
from this program with an interest in the trades.  During the pilot year, 143 
people applied, 54 were invited to participate, 46 enrolled, and 25 
graduated.xii  Mr. Pettit stated he would be more likely to hire graduates 
from these types of programs simply because finishing the program shows 
“a measure of reliability and consistency.”  He is happy to invest in 
training a new worker if he can expect a reasonable term of service from 
the worker in return.xiii 
 
Unions also gain a potential recruiting ground for new skilled trades-
workers in an era of declining union membership.  According to 2011 U.S. 
Census data, only 928,000 construction and trades workers are unionized 
out of a total estimated workforce of 6,244,000, which equates to a rate of 
14.9%.xiv       
 
 
4 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
How is BTPAP marketed and publicized? 
BTPAP has a wide-ranging, multi-media approach, including continual 
updates on program developments to sponsors and supporters.  BTPAP 
sought to create “a buzz” around the program by fully integrating social 
media into their standard 
marketing strategy of 
newspaper, radio and 
television ads.xv  
Through its contacts in 
the Buffalo Building 
Trades community, BTPAP encourages the trades to “speak the language” 
of the younger generations to “attract new talent.”xvi  The BTPAP 
webpage (www.btpap.com) and Facebook page 
(www.facebook.com/BTPAP) provide easily accessible information and a 
venue to post achievements and opportunities.    
 
As well as marketing to potential program participants, BTPAP also 
provides “Stakeholder E-mails” to local policy-makers, building trades’ 
leaders, union representatives and social service organizations.xvii  By 
expanding the dialogue and engaging community partners, the program 
hopes to set firm roots to sustain future growth and community support. 
 
 
How is BTPAP funded? 
Funding for the pilot year was provided 
through a project-labor agreement in the 
Buffalo Schools Reconstruction Project.  
The PLA created a Pre-Apprenticeship 
Training and Education Fund with ten 
cents ($0.10) from each labor hour.  The 
initial funding has been nearly depleted, and BTPAP is currently 
5 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
reviewing funding options to ensure that two full training programs can be 
run next year.xviii 
 
 
 
What programs does BTPAP include? 
The program is an eight week course a”xix  During this short period, the 
following activities and exercises cover a wide range of important skills 
and instructional goals: 
 
 Job Readiness Training offers an overview of many of the 
construction trades and their requirements for employment and 
apprenticeship.  Sessions over twelve separate days cover basic yet 
crucial skills including recognizing one’s personal strengths and 
goals, networking, finding opportunities, completing employment 
applications, managing tough interview questions, and successfully 
“onboarding” after being hired. 
 Math Training is begun by a  proficiency test on the first day.  
Lectures, homework and testing sharpen the participants’ 
understanding and command of construction related mathematics. 
 Guest Speakers from local unions, construction firms and trades 
organizations present to the group throughout the program.  These 
speakers provide encouragement and reinforce the curriculum’s 
relevance to securing employment.  
 Hand-On Training sessions provide direct exposure to select trades 
in a training environment.  Representatives from sixteen local 
trades ran sessions with varying degrees of interactivity.  Whether 
6 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
hanging drywall, laying brick, building and joining walls, or 
working though mathematical issues prior to a plumbing 
installation, these experiences help students identify potential 
fields of interest, and pinpoint skills needing further development. 
 A Networking Workshop held at the offices of LPCiminelli allowed 
students to interact with  local business owners. 
 Job Placement Assistance after graduation utilizes the market 
savvy and industry knowledge of the BTPAP team to transition 
graduates into Apprenticeship programs or long-term employment. 
 
 
What are the pre-requisites for successful placement and 
steady employment in the 
building trades? 
Different trade fields have different 
requirements such as clean driver’s 
licenses, reliable transportation, high 
school degrees, and certain technical proficiencies.xx  For example, 
plumbing requires knowledge of chemistry to understand what liquids or 
gasses can be run through particular pipes; as a result, the training and 
apprenticeship period can be as long as five years.xxi  In contrast, roofing 
has very few educational pre-requisites, outside of being able to read a 
tape measure, but will likely require a clean driver’s license and possibly 
one’s own transportation.xxii    
 
But the key to success in any trade, or any job for that matter, is 
reliability.xxiii  Punctuality and reliability are some of the habits that the 
BTPAP seeks to instill in its participants.  For example, classroom doors 
are locked as soon as lessons begin; if late-comers seek entry, they are 
informed that failure to report to a job site on time might cause a foreman 
to send you home for the day without pay or end your apprenticeship.xxiv   
7 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
 
How does the BTPAP help fight poverty in Western New York? 
“BTPAP’s primary objective is to seek out and provide training to the 
traditionally underserved communities, in particular minorities and 
women, to work in the Buffalo Building Trades.”xxv  In the pilot year, 
87.2% of the 143 program applicants lived in the City of Buffalo, which 
has by far the region’s highest poverty and unemployment rates.  
 
This program provides an additional avenue to career employment while 
also teaching valuable employment and life 
skills.  Even if students do not choose to 
enter a construction trade, the resume writing 
workshops and computer job search training 
sessions will prove valuable in all future job 
searches.  BTPAP is another tool in our community’s toolbox – carving 
out roads to gainful employment in the skilled trades. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8 
 
FACT SHEET                                                      May 2012                                  
                                                            
i
 Telephonic interview with Tyra Johnson, Program Director at BTPAP, on Monday 26th 
March 2012.   (“Johnson Interview”) 
ii
 Johnson Interview. 
iii
 Each program maintains a fairly informational website.  BTPAP-Buffalo: 
www.btpap.com; NSB-Chicago: www.newskillbuilders.org; NEW-New York: 
www.new-nyc.org;  PAP-California:  http://www.buildingc3.com/doc.asp?id=2885.  
iv
 Johnson Interview. 
v
 Telephonic interview with Timothy Pettit, owner TMP Home Improvement in Buffalo, 
on Saturday 24th March 2012.  (“Pettit Interview”) 
vi
 Pettit Interview & Johnson Interview. 
vii
 By work season, he means the warm weather months during which most roofing and 
general home remodeling is contracted and performed. 
viii
 Pettit Inteview. 
ix
 Johnson Interview. 
x
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 2. 
xi
 Johnson Interview & Pettit Interview. 
xii
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 27. 
xiii
 Due to the financial realities of many building trades, including insurance rates, many 
smaller firms rely almost exclusively on independent contractor labor.  Firms, like TMP 
Home Improvement, pay their independent contractors hourly for the jobs they work.  As 
there is no regular salary or benefits, the staff turn-over rate can be high.   
xiv
 U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics News Release, Union Members - 2011, 
USDL-12-0094, Released January 27, 2012, available at 
www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/union2.pdf.  (“BLS News Release”) 
xv
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 14-15. 
xvi
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 14. 
xvii
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 14. 
xviii
 Johnson Interview. 
xix
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 20. 
xx
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 7. 
xxi
 Johnson Report. 
xxii
 Pettit Interview. 
xxiii
 Johnson Interview & Pettit Interview. 
xxiv
 Johnson Interview. 
xxv
 BTPAP-Final Report 2011 at p. 1. 
 
____________________________________________________________ 
 
Partnership for the Public Good    
www.ppgbuffalo.org    
237 Main St., Suite 1200, Buffalo NY 14203 
____________________________________________________________ 


https://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1196&amp;context=buffalocommons

Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Job Training Program for Disadvantaged Workers

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

eCommons@Cornell

DigitalCommons@ILR