In the face of a national skilled labor shortage, program
reflects practical, hands-on approach to building talent pipeline
and provides new career opportunities for more than 100 workers
ORLANDO,
Fla., Ag. 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DPR Construction, one of the nation's
top technical builders, recently celebrated the first graduates of
its Craft Apprenticeship Program. Of the 100 apprentices currently
enrolled, 43 have successfully completed the rigorous drywall or
concrete programs, which are certified by the National Center for
Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and recognized in all
50 states and three U.S. territories.
"Finishing the program has allowed me to step into another role
that I never thought would be possible for me," said Kelian Gonzalez Rivera, a DPR drywaller based in
Orlando who is also the first
woman to graduate from the program. "Participating in the program
has been one of the best things I have done for my career. I
learned so much that I wouldn't have had an opportunity to dive
into on the job and I am a better professional because of it."
DPR's Craft Apprenticeship Program offers a unique learning
experience in both Spanish and English. Participants gain
journey-level skills in construction essentials such as math,
blueprint reading, and communication, preparing them for
trade-specific learning paths in concrete, drywall, or
electrical. DPR is offering the program across the Southeast
and Texas to help extend entry
points into the trades.
Aimed primarily at newer craft team members who are less
experienced, the Craft Apprenticeship Program lets participants
learn journey-level skills through related technical instruction
(RTI) coupled with on-the-job training (OTJ) over the course of
about two years. This approach was developed to allow apprentices
to digest information in a variety of settings, ensuring they'd be
ready to tackle real-world construction challenges and be able to
meet the high quality and safety standards needed to succeed in the
industry.
"With labor shortages affecting the industry, we know it takes
an all-in approach to bring more people into the trades," said
Chris Bell, DPR's self-perform work
leader in the Southeast, who has helped coordinate DPR's program.
"We want to provide as many entry points to careers in the skilled
trades as possible and this complements the excellent union-run
programs throughout the country. We're committed to providing
opportunities to learn essential skills that can fuel rewarding
life-long careers."
About DPR Construction
DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general
contractor and construction manager specializing in technically
complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life
sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets.
DPR's portfolio of work ranges from large-scale new construction to
small tenant improvements and special projects. Founded in 1990,
DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private,
employee-owned company that has grown to a multi-billion-dollar
organization with offices around the world. Strategically focused
on delivering more predictable outcomes through applications of
virtual design & construction, prefabrication, its team of
self-perform craft, and leveraging data to learn and improve from
DPR consistently ranks among the top building contractors and
employs approximately 11,000 professionals across its family of
companies. For more information, visit http://www.dpr.com.
For more information, please contact:
Jay Weisberger
pr@dpr.com
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SOURCE DPR Construction