New eight-week pre-apprenticeship program helps participants jumpstart careers in the building trades
Goodwill of Greater Detroit and Oakland Community College (OCC) are partnering to offer a construction pre-apprenticeship program for Pontiac residents that combines classroom instruction with practical experience to help participants jumpstart a career in the building trades.
Classes for the free eight-week program begin June 13 and are open to Pontiac residents between the ages of 18 and 55, with a special focus on those 18 to 24, including the justice involved.
Greg Anderson, Vice President of Workforce Development, Goodwill of Greater Detroit, said that Flip the Script gives Pontiac residents an opportunity to change their career path and their future.
“Our collaboration with OCC demonstrates Goodwill of Greater Detroit’s ongoing commitment to expanding occupational training in metro Detroit for residents with limited pathways to workforce credentials,” said Anderson. “This new pre-apprenticeship program is structured to be a proactive bridge for those who may be disconnected from the workforce. As development efforts accelerate in Pontiac, we want local residents to have the training needed to access newly created construction jobs. This partnership with OCC will have major impact on improving credential obtainment and increasing employment opportunities for Pontiac residents.”
The course includes basic construction safety; an introduction to hand tools, power tools, construction math and construction drawings; material handling; an introduction to basic rigging; and covers specialty areas including electrical, carpentry, plumbing and framing. Students will also learn employability skills, how to build a career in construction and how to connect with employers in the construction and building trades industries.
“We have long offered a pre-apprenticeship program that prepares students to enter a registered apprenticeship program or employment in manufacturing and are excited to partner with Goodwill and expand our program to the construction industry for Pontiac residents,” said Sandra Bachert, OCC’s Director of Economic Workforce and Development.
In addition to Goodwill of Greater Detroit and OCC, program partners include the City of Pontiac and Emerging Industries Training Institute (EITI).
For more information about the pre-apprenticeship construction program, contact Goodwill’s Cal Talley at (248) 731-4138 or email Calvin.talley@goodwilldetroit.org.
ABOUT GOODWILL OF GREATER DETROIT
For more than 100 years, Goodwill of Greater Detroit has been a leader in making a
difference in people’s lives. Goodwill is committed to providing second chances, growing
and restoring independence, and improving the quality of life for our community members,
while helping the planet through sustainability practices. With the support of community
partners, employers and the organization’s nonprofit businesses - Donated Goods Retail,
Goodwill Integrated Solutions and Goodwill's Green Works - Goodwill provides job training,
social services, job placement, retention services and work opportunities to hundreds
of thousands of metro Detroiters with employment barriers. Goodwill of Greater Detroit’s
work is cemented in the founding belief of helping people, and their families, move
from poverty and dependence to prosperity and independence. For more information,
visit goodwilldetroit.org,
ABOUT OCC
Celebrating 60 years, Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million
students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is
committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class
options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students
annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support.
OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the
U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu