First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Prepares under-represented individuals to take the Apprenticeship Qualifying Test and be on track for careers in the construction crafts and manufacturing industries.

  • Ensures that participants are trained in the life skills required to get and hold a job in the building and construction trades.

  • Brings opportunities to residents with an interest and aptitude for the skilled trades who have never had the chance to secure employment in this field. Our goal is two-fold:

    • Ensure that trainees become (better) equipped to handle

    1. their daily lives and

    2. to diversify the building and construction trades talent pool with the inclusion of minorities, women and others interested in construction careers.

  • First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training was created to improve employability for the unemployed, underemployed and under-represented individuals interested in a construction skilled trades career.

  • First Choice works directly with labor unions, employers to develop training programs that meet the specific and timely needs of the sector to insure that individuals are well-prepared for a career in the skilled trades or Apprenticeship placement.

The workforce programs of HCDC improve the opportunities available for women, minorities, unemployed, underemployed, under-represented and others by establishing partnerships and relationships with unions, contractors, government and community organizations. To learn more about careers in construction contact.

Transportation Alliance for New Solutions (TrANS)

  • TrANS is an industry-driven training model developed to address the shortage of women, minorities and others in highway construction.

  • R/K TrANS is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation I-94 North South Corridor Project for Racine and Kenosha counties.

  • Goal is to create a labor pool of qualified workers for WisDOT contractors and the road construction industry.

  • Provide contractors with access to a pre-screened pool of job ready candidates prepared for a career in construction.

  • Strives to recruit unemployed and underemployed minorities, women, and others to diversify the road construction industry.

  • The training provider for R/K TrANS is First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Training who has established relationships with the following list of community stakeholders committed to increasing employment opportunities for minorities, women and others on highway construction contracts.

    • Racine/Kenosha Elected Officials
    • Racine County Workforce Development Center
    • Kenosha County Job Center
    • Community-Based Organizations
    • Faith-Based Organizations
    • Justice 2000
    • ELCA Urban Outreach Center
    • Project New Life
    • Labor Unions
    • Gateway Technical College
    • Department of Corrections
    • Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
    • Federal Highway Administration
    • U.S. Department of Labor, OFCCP
    • Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association
    • Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Eligible Candidates Must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Have a High School Diploma or GED

  • Valid driver’s license & clean driving record

  • Reliable transportation

  • 10th grade reading and math level

  • Ability to pass drug & alcohol testing (TrANS)

  • Ability to work in extreme weather conditions

Training Program Curriculum

Programs Include:

Tools for Success
- Job skills are important just as construction skills are.

Technical Training
- Construction concepts.
- Lead-Safe Renovator.

TFS Workshops include but are not limited to:

  • Positive Attitude and Motivation

  • Diversity in the Workplace

  • Communication – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking

  • Stress/Anger Management

  • Starting a New Job

  • Negotiating with co-workers

  • Team Building

  • Quality of Life – Money Management

  • Resume Writing

  • Nutrition*

  • CPR/First Aid

Technical Sessions include:

  • Hand and Power Tools

  • Construction Technology**

  • Building Maintenance *

  • OSHA 10 / Safety / Fall Prevention

  • Ladder / Scaffold *

  • Construction Math

  • Blueprint Reading

  • Hands-On Workshop**(Concrete / Masonry / Carpentry)

  • Assistance with completing the Apprenticeship Qualifying Test

  • Lead Safe Renovator Worker Certification
    Lead Safe Company Certification #DHS-629540

* Sessions/topics are not included in the TrANS curriculum

** Heavy Road Construction Focus