PHILADELPHIA, PA — With skilled trade workers in high demand and a growing spotlight on workforce development, the Samuel Staten Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program (SSSPAP) is preparing to launch its next class on August 27. The 18-week training initiative, offered at no cost to eligible Pennsylvania residents, is designed to equip participants with the technical skills and industry readiness needed to access union apprenticeships and construction careers.
Founded as an independent nonprofit, SSSPAP addresses gaps left by decades of declining vocational education in public schools. The program delivers classroom instruction, case management, life skills, OSHA training, and preparation for the CASAS exam—all aligned with the needs of the construction industry. Classes are held on evenings and weekends to accommodate working adults.
Executive Director Omar Nelson emphasized the importance of the program in today’s labor market. “The present construction workforce is aging. We stepped in where the schools dropped off decades ago,” Nelson said. “Our program is successfully preparing people to fill those shortages.”
Participants must be 18 or older, hold a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver’s license, and pass a drug test. Graduates receive help with job placement and continued support as they move into union apprenticeships or full-time employment.
The demand for programs like SSSPAP is backed by recent labor market reports. A 2025 outlook from the Associated General Contractors of America showed most contractors expect to hire more workers this year, but cite labor shortages as a key concern. Additionally, bipartisan legislation like Congressman Dwight Evans’ LEON Act aims to fund certification training programs nationwide, and a recent executive order from President Trump seeks to align federal workforce investments with reindustrialization goals.
SSSPAP’s track record speaks to its impact. The program graduated 52 students in 2024, many of whom have already moved into careers in the trades. “We are honored to contribute to and take pride in the success of our graduates,” said Nelson. “These job placements not only stand for individual successes but also confirm the real-world impact of the training we provide.”
One of this year’s soon-to-be graduates, Tyreese Green, credits the program with helping him shift from residential work to a more stable career path. “The classes helped me learn a little bit more about myself,” Green said. “It teaches you to be a better person and be more positive… Absolutely I’d recommend the program.”
The program is backed by a broad coalition of industry and community partners, including the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, IBEW Local 98, the School District of Philadelphia, and multiple local labor unions. It is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Community and Economic Development, and other public agencies.
With applications now open and space limited, SSSPAP continues its mission to expand access to life-sustaining careers for residents of Philadelphia and surrounding communities—especially those from underserved populations and women seeking entry into the building trades.
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