PRESS RELEASE: PIERCE COUNTY ROOFERS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM CREATES DIRECT ENTRY ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH PALMER PATHWAYS PRE-APPRENTICESHIP
Palmer Scholars is delighted to announce its direct entry with advanced standing articulation agreement with the Pierce County Roofers Apprenticeship (PCRA), which will provide family-sustaining earnings for future generations of low-income young men and women of color in Pierce County. Once Pathways Scholars graduate from the Palmer Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship 14-week program, those interested in the roofing, waterproofing and allied trades will be eligible to enter directly into apprenticeship at the PCRA training center in Tacoma.
Palmer Pathways connects young adults aged 18-26 to family-wage careers in the trades by providing up to 14 weeks of rigorous training, guidance, mentoring, financial support, and socioemotional support services. Palmer Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship (PPPA) program will begin its first cohort in October 2021, with information sessions beginning late July 2021.
PCRA, which was founded by the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 153, has been an enormous support through our Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council recognition process, which was formalized in April 2021. The PCRA Program offers the following to Scholars from the first day in their apprenticeship:
· Wages - Apprentices start at $22.53/hr+ and have a schedule of built-in wage increases until you have completed the program and become a journeyperson
· Advanced Standing or Credit – will be provided upon graduation of the PPPA, and Scholars will enter the program with 300 hours towards their journey-level status
· Healthcare - Comprehensive health coverage that starts soon after you are on the job
· NRIPP and Supplemental Pensions - From your first hour, your employer will be paying into pension plans that will secure your future
Palmer Pathways is an initiative of Palmer Scholars, an organization that for nearly 40 years has committed to supporting underrepresented Pierce County students of color to overcome the financial, cultural, and social barriers in their pursuit of higher education. Since 1983, Palmer Scholars has achieved an overall postsecondary graduation rate of 85%.
To qualify for the PPPA program, young adults must be Pierce County residents between the ages of 18 and 26 years old, not currently enrolled in a postsecondary program, and demonstrate financial need. Young adults of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications will be made available on the Palmer Scholars website in July 2021.
Learn more about the Pierce County Roofers Apprenticeship via the Pierce County Roofers Local 153 website at https://www.piercecountyroofers.com/. To learn more about Palmer Pathways, visit the Palmer Scholars website at https://www.palmerscholars.org/pathways.
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