ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced the first round of grant recipients for the “Road to Careers” initiative, a six-year, $24 million investment aimed at expanding Maryland’s pipeline of highly-skilled workers for critical transportation infrastructure jobs.
The initial $4 million in grants will provide nearly 1,200 Marylanders with in-demand training for skilled construction and maintenance jobs.
“To grow our economy, we need to keep building new avenues to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders — no matter their path,” Moore said. “This is a continuation of our multi-year push to expand apprenticeships, and the entire state is going to benefit.”
The “Road to Careers” program is a joint effort between the Maryland Department of Labor and the Maryland Department of Transportation. It seeks to strengthen the state’s talent pool for the transportation and construction sectors by increasing access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. The initiative also aims to create career pathways for individuals who have historically faced systemic barriers to employment, including low-income individuals, justice-involved individuals, and English language learners.
The program includes “wraparound support services” to address common employment barriers such as transportation, childcare, and mental health needs.
“These investments will help prepare the next generation of workers for good jobs that support the development of a world-class transportation system,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu.
Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld added that the grants will “provide a path to good-paying jobs for thousands of Marylanders” and help build “important infrastructure projects throughout our state.”
Eight organizations received $500,000 grants in this inaugural round of funding:
- Chesapeake College: Serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.
- Civic Works: Serving Baltimore City.
- Construction Trades Workforce Initiative: Serving Prince George’s and Baltimore counties, and Baltimore City.
- Hagerstown Community College: Serving Washington County.
- HER Resiliency Center: Serving Baltimore City.
- Ironworkers Local Union #5 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee: Serving Prince George’s County.
- Mayor’s Office of Employment Development: Serving Baltimore City.
- Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland: Serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
Aaron Bast, Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 5, said the funding would provide “stronger supports for our apprentices, leading to better retention and ultimately more Marylanders landing and keeping well-paying union jobs.” Natasha Guynes, Founder and President of HER Resiliency Center, noted the grant aligns with their mission to increase women in trades by offering skills training with comprehensive supports like childcare and housing.
The Maryland Department of Labor anticipates additional funding rounds in the coming months.
