Paid Job Training Classes Begin in February
BRIDGE Victory! One Million Dollars for Job Training in
Transportation Construction Fields
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SWAIM-STALEY LAUNCHES NEW JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM
$1 Million Build Up Program Geared To Help 150 Marylanders Get
Transportation Jobs
Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley has announced a new
training program for disadvantaged Marylanders to give them the key
tools they need to secure jobs in the transportation field.
The first set of classes will begin in February, 2012.
The application deadline is February 3. Download an application at
http://www.marylandroads.com/OEO/BuildUp_Application.pdf
Classes will be offered in the Baltimore area.
BuildUp is a new, $1 million program funded by using one half of one
percent of the federal funds awarded to Maryland through the US
Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration.
BRIDGE Maryland organized the movement for these funds. At a public
meeting on June 17 in Hyattsville, Maryland, Secretary Beverly
Swaim-Staley pledged to the 700 people present, members of BRIDGE and
allied organizations, that she would fund a new job training program
using federal funds. Build Up is the fulfillment of that promise.
BRIDGE, a statewide organization of congregations for social change,
led a pilgrimage for jobs and justice on November 12, 2012, where
nearly 400 members of BRIDGE and its allies marched across West
Baltimore calling for jobs. The Build Up program of paid job
training classes is a response to that community call.
Based at the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway
Administration (SHA), the new BuildUp training program is geared to
prepare 150 participants, during the next year, for transportation
careers in one of three primary tracks: construction craft skills,
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) systems and accredited CDL
(commercial driving license) preparation. With training programs
being hosted in spring, summer and fall sessions, participants will
earn paid stipends for training.
"Today, we are taking another step forward to creating more jobs and
expanding opportunity for more Marylanders," said Secretary
Swaim-Staley. "The BuildUP program invests in people and provides them
with essential job skills to be competitive in today's market. This
program is a win, win initiative because it provides our
transportation field with qualified, skilled individuals while
creating and saving jobs for our families."
"I want to thank Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley for
her partnership in expanding transportation-based job training and
committing the funds necessary for the Build Up program," said State
Senator Verna Jones-Rodwell. " The BuildUP program is more evidence
of my mission as a public servant to bring hope, help and healing to
Baltimore City and the State of Maryland. I can't think of a better
way to usher in the holiday season - opening the road to opportunity
to those who need it most."
BRIDGE Leaders Rev. Hoffman Brown of Wayland Baptist Church, Naomi
Binko of Ascension Lutheran Church, Mary Jones of Wayland Baptist
Church, Rev. Alan Traher of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Maureen
Daly of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, minister David Carl Olson
of First Unitarian Church, applauded the announcement of the new
program as a victory for BRIDGE members and the communities they care
about.
Those eligible to apply for Build Up include currently unemployed,
minorities, women, as well as those who are economically and socially
disadvantaged Marylanders. Applications are available for download on
SHA's web site and may be submitted through February 3. Selected
candidates will be paid a stipend and offered free transportation
where available. For more information, those interested in applying
can find out more information on the program at www.roads.maryland.gov
under the news section or by sending email inquiries to
shabuildup@sha.state.md.us or by calling toll-free at 1-888-545-0098.
# # #
For more information contact Maureen Daly, media contact and chair of
the BRIDGE Jobs Task Force, 443-286-4731
www.BRIDGEMaryland.org
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