Pre-Apprenticeship

Pathways Into Construction Careers

OVABC’s Pre-Apprenticeship pathway helps connect motivated students and future workers with construction career opportunities while helping contractors build a stronger workforce pipeline.

I’m Interested in a Construction Career
I’m a Contractor Looking for Workers

Workforce Development

What Is Pre-Apprenticeship?

Pre-Apprenticeship is an early pathway for students and future workers who are interested in construction careers but may not yet be ready for a formal apprenticeship program or full-time jobsite role. Through OVABC’s workforce development efforts, participants can explore skilled trades careers, understand employer expectations, gain early exposure to contractors, and take meaningful steps toward apprenticeship, employment, or work-based learning.

Construction workforce participants on a jobsite

Explore Construction Careers

Interested in working with your hands, building real skills, and discovering whether construction is the right fit? OVABC’s Pre-Apprenticeship pathway helps students understand the trades, meet contractors, and prepare for next-step opportunities.

View the Student Pathway

Build Your Workforce Pipeline

Looking for motivated entry-level talent? OVABC’s Pre-Apprenticeship pathway gives contractors a structured way to engage with students, create early exposure to construction, and support future hiring opportunities.

View the Contractor Pathway

For Students and Future Workers

A guided pathway from career interest to real construction opportunity.

Students learning about construction careers

May-August

Recruitment

Students are introduced to construction career opportunities and invited to explore whether the skilled trades may be the right fit.

Construction training classroom

October-February

Pre-Screen Candidates

Candidates are pre-screened to better understand their interest, readiness, and fit for the pathway. The goal is to connect ambitious, career-ready students with support and guidance before they move into contractor engagement.

Construction jobsite tour

March

Job Tour

Students gain early exposure to a contractor’s company, culture, and work environment through a job tour.

Crew leader explaining construction work

March-April

Job Shadow

Students participate in job shadowing to experience construction work more closely and give contractors a low-risk opportunity to evaluate fit.

Contractor supporting workforce development

May

Assigned to Contractor

A participating contractor is assigned to the student, and the contractor identifies a mentor or point of contact to support the student’s experience.

Construction apprentice gaining hands-on experience

June-August

Work-Based Learning

Students participate in summer work-based learning designed to build experience, confidence, and career readiness.

Construction career pathway participants

Graduation

Graduation / Potential Hire

The goal is to help students move toward long-term construction career opportunities, including potential hiring after graduation where there is a strong fit.

Is This Path Right for You?

This pathway is designed for students and future workers who are curious about construction, willing to learn, and ready to explore whether the skilled trades could be a strong fit.

You are interested in working with your hands.

You are dependable and willing to learn.

You are open to jobsites, tools, safety, and skilled trades.

You want to understand what contractors expect.

You are interested in work-based learning or apprenticeship.

You are ready to take a first step, even if you are still exploring trades.

You do not need construction experience to start. The goal is to help you explore the industry, understand expectations, and identify a next step that may be right for you.

Start the Interest Form

Ready to Explore Construction?

Your construction career can start with one conversation. Tell us how to reach you, and OVABC will keep you connected to upcoming pre-apprenticeship opportunities.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

City

State

ZIP Code

Country

Will you now or in the future require work sponsorship?

Resume

I agree to terms and conditions

For Contractors

A structured way to engage students and build the next generation of construction talent.

OVABC’s Pre-Apprenticeship pathway is designed to help contractors connect with students through meaningful engagement and summer work-based learning opportunities.

Contractor supporting construction workforce development

We are creating a workforce pipeline, not asking for charity.

Contractors can participate by hosting student engagement activities, offering summer work-based learning placements, and assigning one point of contact to coordinate with OVABC.

Why Partner?

OVABC is looking for contractors that represent the leadership, culture, craftsmanship, and opportunity students should experience as they explore construction careers.

Contractor participation may include: student engagement during the school year, summer work-based learning placements, and one designated point of contact to coordinate with OVABC.

Core Partner Commitments

Summer placementsProvide summer work-based learning placements.

Student engagementParticipate in student engagement activity during the school year.

Point of contactAssign one point of contact to coordinate with the OVABC team.

Examples of Engagement Activities

Toolbox talks

Mock interviews

Lunch and learns

Superintendent Q&A sessions

Safety workshops

Design-build activity

Equipment demonstration

Jobsite tours

Levels of Participation

Workforce Partner

Commitment: Engagement activity

Industry Partner

Commitment: Engagement activity + summer placement

Leadership Partner

Commitment: Multiple engagement activities + multiple summer placements

What OVABC Will Do

Coordinate students
Help prepare students
Manage communication with schools and families

Contractor Next Steps

Confirm point of contact
Identify a tentative activity idea
Determine target number of students
Schedule a follow-up meeting
Agree to participate in a group call

Measuring Outcomes

Students engaged

Work-based placements

Potential hires after graduation

Placement retention

Contractor participation

Student career pathways

Talk to OVABC About Contractor Participation

Share a few details about your company and how you may want to participate. OVABC will follow up to discuss the best fit for your team.

Company Name

Primary Contact Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Trade / Work Type

Is your company an OVABC member?

Yes No

Potential participation level

How might your company like to participate?

Student engagement activity Jobsite tour Job shadow opportunity Summer work-based learning placement Potential hiring pathway Not sure yet, I would like to talk

Are you open to summer work-based learning placements?

Yes No

Estimated number of students you may support

Preferred follow-up method

Email Phone Either

What should OVABC know before following up?

I understand that submitting this form does not create a formal commitment. OVABC will follow up to discuss contractor participation options and next steps.

Why Construction?

Construction offers the opportunity to build real skills, work with purpose, and pursue a career path with long-term growth. For students who are motivated, dependable, and willing to learn, the skilled trades can open the door to meaningful work and advancement.

Learn by doing

Build skills that are in demand

Explore paths beyond a traditional four-year college route

Work with local contractors

Build the communities where we live and work

Part of OVABC’s Workforce Development Mission

Pre-Apprenticeship is part of OVABC’s broader commitment to workforce development, apprenticeship, safety, career growth, and the merit shop construction industry. By connecting students, contractors, schools, and families, OVABC helps create clearer pathways into construction careers.

View Apprenticeship Contact OVABC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pre-apprenticeship the same as apprenticeship?

No. Pre-apprenticeship is an early pathway that helps students and future workers explore construction careers, understand expectations, and prepare for possible next steps such as apprenticeship, employment, or work-based learning.

Who is this pathway for?

This pathway is for students and future workers who are interested in construction and want to learn whether the skilled trades may be a good fit.

Does this guarantee a job?

No. The pathway is designed to create exposure, preparation, and connection to opportunities. The goal is to help qualified, motivated participants move toward apprenticeship, employment, or other next-step opportunities where appropriate.

How do contractors participate?

Contractors can participate through student engagement activities, jobsite tours, mock interviews, safety workshops, work-based learning placements, and other opportunities coordinated with OVABC.

What level of commitment is expected from contractors?

Contractors can participate at different levels, from a single engagement activity to multiple activities and summer work-based learning placements.

Who should I contact?

Use the student interest form or contractor participation form on this page, and OVABC will route your inquiry to the appropriate workforce development contact.