Training Workshops

Multi-Craft Core Curriculum

The Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) is a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship curriculum developed and approved by the Building Trades National Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Click on each topic to learn more.

  • An introduction to the construction industry, covering its history, various trades, career paths, and the importance of safety and professional behavior.

  • An overview of the different trades within the construction industry, highlighting their roles, responsibilities, and contributions to building projects.

  • Comprehensive training in construction safety practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), recognizing hazards, and preventing accidents on the job site. This module includes OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and Women’s Health & Safety.

  • Introduction to the tools and materials commonly used in construction work, including their proper usage, maintenance, and safety considerations.

  • Instruction in essential mathematical concepts and calculations relevant to construction, such as measurements, fractions, decimals, and geometry.

  • Exploring the history and evolution of the American workforce, with a focus on the construction industry's role in shaping the nation.

  • Examining the importance of diversity and inclusion in the construction workforce, addressing cultural awareness, and promoting equitable practices.

  • Developing skills in interpreting construction drawings, symbols, and plans, with a focus on understanding technical information for effective project execution.

  • Introducing environmentally friendly practices and sustainable construction techniques, promoting awareness of green building principles.

  • Providing knowledge about personal financial management, including budgeting, saving, investing, and understanding financial responsibilities in the construction industry.

Promoting Environmental Justice:
A Workshop for Change

The "Promoting Environmental Justice: A Workshop for Change" is a dynamic and inclusive event designed to create a deeper understanding of environmental justice, empower participants to recognize environmental injustices, and equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for equitable solutions. This workshop serves as a catalyst for change, aiming to inspire individuals to become proactive champions for environmental justice and sustainable communities.

  • Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental justice, exploring its historical context and the intersection of race, class, and environmental issues.

  • Through case studies and real-world examples, attendees will learn to recognize instances of environmental injustice in their communities and beyond.

  • The workshop will emphasize community organizing and engagement, equipping participants with strategies to amplify their voices and advocate for change.

  • We will provide insights into effective advocacy and policy-making, empowering participants to influence legislation and regulatory decisions that impact environmental justice.

  • Discussions will encompass the impact of environmental factors on public health, with a focus on vulnerable communities and strategies to mitigate health disparities.

  • Recognizing that environmental justice is linked to sustainable practices, the workshop will explore eco-friendly solutions and sustainable development.

  • The workshop will feature interactive activities, group discussions, and case studies to encourage collaboration and shared learning experiences.

  • Resources and Action: Participants will leave with information about available resources, networks, and organizations that support environmental justice efforts and will be inspired to take concrete actions for positive change.

Challenges in Our Backyard

The "Promoting Environmental Justice" workshop fosters a community of informed and passionate individuals who are dedicated to making a difference.

NOLA Trades not only aims to raise awareness but also to empower participants with the skills and inspiration needed to champion equitable environmental practices and policies. Ultimately, we seek to contribute to a more just, sustainable, and inclusive future for all.

Hands-On Introduction Workshops

Our comprehensive workshop series is designed to introduce participants to registered apprenticeship programs in various construction careers. Over the course of eight days, you will explore the diverse opportunities available in the construction industry and participate in hands-on activities in each trade

.Throughout this immersive eight-day workshop, you will gain a deeper understanding of the construction industry and the registered apprenticeship programs available, while also developing practical skills needed for each trade. These hands-on activities are carefully designed to be accessible and enjoyable for you, even with no prior construction experience, paving the way for you to explore and potentially pursue rewarding careers in the construction sector.

  • Participants will be introduced to the world of construction careers. They will learn about the essential skills, qualifications, and safety measures needed in the industry. The session ends with an overview of the registered apprenticeship programs available for carpenters, electricians, heat and frost insulation workers, plumbers & pipefitters, iron workers, general laborers, painters, and glaziers.

  • Participants engaged in hands-on activities, building a simple wooden structure like a birdhouse. This practical experience allowed them to understand the basics of carpentry, including measuring, cutting, and assembly techniques.

  • Participants explored electrician apprenticeships. They wire basic circuits on practice boards, gaining familiarity with electrical components, switches, and safety measures. This hands-on activity provided a beginner-friendly introduction to electrical work.

  • Participants practice installing mechanical insulation materials on mock-ups containing pipes. They learn how to cut and fit insulation, gaining insights into the world of heat and frost insulation work. Safety procedures are emphasized throughout the activities.

  • Participants practice basic welding techniques using a virtual reality welding simulator. They learn how to make simple welds, experiencing the fundamentals of ironworking skills under close supervision. Safety in welding is a key focus.

  • Participants engage in basic labor tasks such as lifting, carrying, and stacking construction materials. They learn proper techniques and safety precautions for these tasks. They also learn the importance of fire watch duties and practice extinguishing a fire using a digital fire extinguisher training system.

  • This workshop is focused on plumbing and pipefitting apprenticeships. Participants assemble and disassemble PVC pipes and fittings to create simple plumbing configurations. This hands-on exercise helped them understand the basic principles of plumbing work in a beginner-friendly manner.

  • This workshop is dedicated to painters and glaziers apprenticeships. Participants practice surface preparation, basic painting techniques, and basic glass cutting and fitting. This allowed them to focus on the unique skills required in these trades.

CPWR Workshops

CPWR’s training mission is to ensure that tradespeople have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to protect themselves, their co-workers, their families and communities – and the environment – when working around environmental hazards. The training is highly participatory. Experienced instructors lead small-group classroom activities and safe, practical work-related hands-on activities, especially in hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, decontamination, work practices, and monitoring principles. This training reaches about 4,000 workers each year.

  • This 16-hour worker course teaches workers about the most common hazards found in confined spaces, and about the OSHA standard that addresses these hazards. Participants also learn about safe entry procedures, monitoring principles, entry permits, ventilation, personal protective equipment and the roles of the entrant, attendant, and entry supervisor. This course includes extensive hands-on training in confined space entry and the use of PPE.

  • The 40-hour workshop is a comprehensive and hands-on course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to work safely with hazardous materials commonly encountered in the construction industry and related fields. This training program is aligned with relevant OSHA regulations and industry best practices to ensure participants are well-prepared to protect themselves and their colleagues from the potential risks associated with hazardous waste.

    CPWR works in cooperation with international/national building trades unions to provide environmental hazard protection training to construction workers who will be doing hazardous waste cleanup, lead or asbestos abatement, permit-required confined space entry, or disaster cleanup, or to those who may be exposed to chemical or biological hazards on the job.

    CPWR — The Center for Construction Research and Training trains workers for jobs at:

    Department of Energy Nuclear Weapons Cleanup Sites

    Superfund National Priority List Sites

    Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Sites

Supplemental Workshops

Our supplemental workshops focus on construction safety and equipment operation. Over the course of this intensive program, participants learn essential skills and knowledge in construction fall protection, forklift operation, and mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) training.

At the conclusion of these workshops, participants leave with a solid foundation in fall protection, forklift, and MEWP. They are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a safer construction environment and to operate construction equipment responsibly and efficiently. Safety in construction is vital, and this workshop plays an important role in promoting best practices and reducing accidents and injuries on construction sites.

  • In this workshop, participants immerse themselves in the vital topic of construction fall protection. The day begins with a comprehensive overview of fall hazards commonly encountered on construction sites. Key topics include:

    • Identifying fall hazards and risk assessment.

    • Proper selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points.

    • Correct techniques for inspecting and donning fall protection equipment.

    • Understanding the principles of fall arrest systems.

    • Hands-on practice sessions for securing harnesses and lanyards, as well as safe use of anchors and lifelines.

    • Emergency response procedures for fall incidents.

    Participants engage in practical exercises and scenarios that simulate real-world construction situations, reinforcing the importance of safety and fall prevention.

  • Participants learn the necessary skills and knowledge to safely operate forklifts on construction sites. The curriculum includes:

    • Understanding forklift types and their specific applications.

    • Proper pre-operation inspection of forklifts.

    • Safe loading and unloading techniques.

    • Handling loads of various sizes and weights.

    • Navigating construction site obstacles and hazards.

    • Forklift stability and weight distribution.

    • Hands-on forklift operation under the guidance of certified instructors.

    • Written and practical evaluations to assess operator proficiency.

    Participants have the opportunity to practice operating forklifts in a controlled environment, gaining the confidence and skills required for this critical role.

  • In Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) training, participants learn about the safe operation of aerial lifts and scissor lifts commonly used in construction settings. The curriculum includes:

    • MEWP types and their applications.

    • Pre-operational inspections and equipment checks.

    • Safe setup and positioning of MEWPs.

    • Proper use of fall protection while operating MEWPs.

    • Maneuvering MEWPs around obstacles and in tight spaces.

    • Emergency procedures and rescue techniques.

    • Hands-on practice operating MEWPs under the supervision of experienced trainers.

    Participants have the opportunity to operate MEWPs and apply the knowledge they gain during the training.

Ready To Start Your Journey

Are you ready to take the first step towards a rewarding and successful career? Look no further than our Apprenticeship Readiness Program! If you're seeking practical, hands-on learning combined with invaluable industry knowledge, this program is tailor-made for you.