Environmental and Construction Workers Training Program

MCS and its partners provide training sessions in life skills, environmental and building trades. MCS is now accepting pre-applications for the September 2012 training.
For additional information, please contact Peppino Earthman at 651-771-9339 - OR - pearthman@merrickcs.org

To qualify for this opportunity, by the time the training begins, you must:

Be 18 years of age or older
Be unemployed or under-employed
A Resident of St. Paul and/or Ramsey county
Possess a high school diploma or GED, or actively pursuing your GED
Possess a valid State of Minnesota Driver’s License and reliable transportation
Be able to pass a math and reading test

MCS begins accepting pre-applications in July of each year. Beginning in mid-September MCS offers weekly advance preparation and remedial math classes to assist potential students prepare to apply for the training program. Attendees have the opportunity to learn more about the construction trade by hearing a variety of speakers, such as construction workers, previous graduates and union trainer. Attending these weekly classes also allow potential students to address any issues that may prevent them from qualifying for the program. Assistance and resources are offered to address driver’s license issues, legal concerns or to complete GED testing. Students can join the GED class that meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

In January interested individuals attend a one-day event to test in reading and math. Interviews are held with those who pass the tests and the training begins the beginning of February.

MCS and its partners provide training in the following: life skills, environmental and the building trades, soft skills including first aid/CPR, math and reading comprehension, OSHA 30, confined space, HAZMAT, physical fitness, pre-apprenticeship training in the trades, job acquisition skills, resume writing, job retention skills, computer basics and interviewing skills

Upon completion MCS staff assist graduates in finding and keeping union jobs. Program staff refer graduates to contractors for interviews and job placement

Partners in Life Skills and Student Support

St. Paul Building and Trades
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local Union 1 MN/ND
Sheet Metal Workers' Local 10
Minnesota Finishing Trades Glaziers and Glassworkers
Aurora-St. Anthony: Life Skills Instruction and and assisiting with placement
Center for Working Families: Life Skills Instruction and IDA Accounts
Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties: Car Loans and repair, Financial Literacy
Ramsey County Probation: Referral and Student Support
SPPS Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning: Math and reading Components
RESOURCES Employment Action Center/WIA: Financial support with housing, transportation, utility bills
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services: Legal resources with felony expungement, child support issues

Our Funders

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Administered by the Center for Construction Research and Training
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Greater Twin Cities United Way