Governor Moore Announces First Road to Careers Funding Recipients to Promote High-Skill Workforce Development
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced the first round of Road to Careers grant recipients. The six-year, $24 million investment will expand the pipeline of highly-skilled workers to build the state’s critical transportation infrastructure. The $4 million in grants awarded today will provide nearly 1,200 Marylanders with in-demand training for skilled jobs in construction and maintenance.
“To grow our economy, we need to keep building new avenues to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders — no matter their path,” said Gov. Moore. “This is a continuation of our multi-year push to expand apprenticeships, and the entire state is going to benefit. Together, we are closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to opportunity for all.”
Road to Careers is a joint initiative between the Maryland Department of Labor and Maryland Department of Transportation designed to strengthen Maryland’s talent pipeline for jobs in the transportation and construction sectors. The program expands access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, meeting critical industry demand while creating career pathways for Marylanders who have historically faced systemic barriers to employment including low-income individuals, justice-involved individuals, and English language learners.
Road to Careers helps participants access high-quality, family-sustaining careers while supporting employers in building a more inclusive, skilled workforce. To ensure more equitable access to high-skill employment, the program offers wraparound support services that address common barriers to employment, including transportation, childcare, and mental health needs, all of which are contributing factors to the state’s racial wealth gap.
“These investments will help prepare the next generation of workers for good jobs that support the development of a world-class transportation system,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Thanks to Secretary Wiedefeld and MDOT for their partnership to support innovative strategies to grow our state’s workforce and economy at a critical moment.”
Grantees will connect participants to proven training models and offer holistic support to guide participants from enrollment through job placement and beyond. Supporting communities across Maryland, the following organizations received $500,000 grants through the inaugural round of funding:
- Chesapeake College: Caroline County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Talbot County
- Civic Works: Baltimore City
- Construction Trades Workforce Initiative: Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City
- Hagerstown Community College: Washington County
- HER Resiliency Center: Baltimore City
- Ironworkers Local Union #5 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee: Prince George’s County
- Mayor’s Office of Employment Development: Baltimore City
- Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland: Calvert County, Charles County, St. Mary’s County
“These grants will help MDOT, and the entire transportation industry in Maryland, successfully train and provide a path to good-paying jobs for thousands of Marylanders,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “These jobs are in demand today and will help us build important infrastructure projects throughout our state. Thanks to Governor Moore and his leadership, MDOT is proud to partner with Secretary Wu and her team on this program and invest in economic growth for all Marylanders.”
“The Ironworkers Local 5 is grateful to Governor Moore and Secretaries Wu and Wiedefeld for their leadership in launching the Road to Careers initiative,” said Ironworkers Local 5 Business Manager Aaron Bast. “This funding will allow us to provide stronger supports for our apprentices, leading to better retention and ultimately more Marylanders landing and keeping well-paying union jobs.”
“HER Resiliency Center is honored to be selected for a Road to Careers award,” said HER Resiliency Center Founder and President Natasha Guynes. “This grant perfectly aligns with our mission to increase the number of women in the trades by providing skills training coupled with holistic and comprehensive supports like childcare and housing.”
The Maryland Department of Labor anticipates future rounds of funding in the coming months.
To learn more about Road to Careers and for information on the grants awarded, please visit labor.maryland.gov/employment/roadtocareers.
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