Missouri Works Apprentice Ready Program Graduates 24 in Construction and Manufacturing
Pictured Above: Apprentice Read Construction graduating cohort.
Date Posted: November 13, 2025
Posted In: Workforce,
From St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune: Twenty-four students graduated from the Missouri Works Initiative’s (MWI) Apprentice Ready in Construction (ARC) and Apprentice Ready in Manufacturing (ARM) programs in a dual ceremony on Nov. 1 at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 union hall.
The programs, supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO, are designed to address critical workforce shortages in the general supply chain, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation and construction sectors. It focuses on bridging the gap between underrepresented, underemployed and unemployed individuals and high-paying union jobs by providing resources, support and access to opportunities to build sustainable careers.
“A Career You Can Be Proud Of”
“You guys are about to embark on a very exciting time,” said Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO president. “I know that you’ve put in a lot of work and effort to get here. You are about to enter some of the unionized construction and manufacturing trades and that means good wages, good benefits, retirement at the end of the day and a career you can be proud of.”
Both programs provide potential pre-apprentices with the opportunity to visit participating local building and manufacturing trade unions to give them hands-on basic training and a feel for each of the trades. In addition to hands-on learning, students receive:
- Career and life skills training.
- Supportive services
- Transportation assistance.
- Mentoring from trade professionals.
- A weekly stipend.
- Work gear (safety glasses, hard hat, high visibility shirts, pants, boots).
- Trade placement advising.
“Taught Me a Lot”
ARC graduate Sophia Mullen said she enjoyed her time in the program and thanked all the staff and instructors.
“This program taught me a lot – not just about tools and trades – but about confidence and direction and what it means to be part of a real team,” Mullen said. “It gave me a better idea of what I want to do moving on.”