For those of you with an eye towards careers in carpentry, masonry, or plastering, the city's Rebuild initiative has got something just for you. In partnership with the Preservation Trades Center (PTC), Rebuild is offering a golden chance with its Winter 2025 training academies, set to transform the historic Eastern State Penitentiary into a classroom of sorts, where the trades will not only be taught but also practiced in the service of preserving a slice of our national heritage.
If the hands-on approach feels right for your future, you can expect a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week for these paid training programs, which offer $15 per hour for those looking to get their boots on the ground. PTC AT Eastern State Penitentiary is recognized as a center for workforce development and trades preservation, meaning participants will work closely with expert craft workers and, upon completion, will have the opportunity to interview for a full-time apprenticeship with no prior experience required, according to details on the city's announcement.
To throw your hat into the ring, potential participants must attend an information session (virtually, no less, thanks to Zoom), with options on January 7 and January 9, as well as a hands-on demonstration day at the Penitentiary on January 14. Eyes on the prize and calendars in hand, remember that applications are due by 5 p.m. on January 15. Mark these dates: Carpentry Academy kicks off March 3, Cement Masons & Plasterers get down to it on March 10, and Bricklayer and Allied Craftworkers throw down March 24. Each stream is a path to mastering the bones of the buildings, the skins of our cityscapes.
Who's got the right stuff for the job? Simply put, Philadelphians 18 and up with a high school diploma or GED, and the readiness to pass drug screening and a background check—with open arms extended to those who've had brushes with justice. Applicants must also possess the physicality to undertake strenuous tasks and have an unexpired photo ID in pocket; a driver's license is preferred. The said statement from the Preservation Trades Center also notes that justice-impacted individuals are strongly encouraged to apply, showing the city's commitment to inclusive opportunities in these trades.
If there are still questions dangling beyond the either frequently asked or not, the Trades Center invites emails at [email protected] or a ring to (215)-309-4883. Plus, for the cautious planners among us, an all-purpose workforce development interest form is always at the ready, keeping you in the loop for future trades training programs. Interested candidates can apply and learn more at EasternState.org/TradesCenter — this is for the makers and the builders, for the steadfast who will learn to hold the city's past in their hands and craft its future.
