Apprenticeship candidates listening to a mentor at a trade training site

The PATH Program

Opening the door to apprenticeship careers.

The PATH Program prepares and mentors inner-city youth, underrepresented persons, and formerly incarcerated individuals to be interview-ready and credential-ready for accredited apprenticeship programs, through classes, job fairs, and individual mentoring sessions.

Contact the PATH Program
Eastern Regional Contractors Association

The PATH Program starts with opportunity

The PATH Program, led by Eastern Regional Contractors Association, helps candidates gain access to accredited apprenticeship programs through trade organizations in the public and private sectors.

PATH Program

Interview-ready and credential-ready.

The Eastern Regional Contractors Association is a Pennsylvania based non-profit organization whose mission is to prepare and mentor inter-city youth, underrepresented persons, and formerly incarcerated individuals in career assistance. We focus on helping applicants gain access into accredited apprenticeship programs through trade organizations in the private and public sectors. This process will take place through classes, job fairs, and individual mentoring sessions.

We will equip candidates to be “interview-ready and credential-ready” for program acceptance.

Industries of Support

  • MaritimeShips, Barges, Longshoreman
  • MechanicalPlumbers, Pipefitters
  • CommercialPainters, Carpenters
  • IndustrialBridges, Crane Operators
  • Power IndustryElectrical, Linemen
  • RefineriesPharmaceutical, Petrochemical Workers
  • TransportationCDL Drivers, Forklifts

Required Credentials

Our goal is to mentor our candidates in navigating the application process by helping them obtain the necessary documentation needed for program acceptance.

  • High School Diploma / GED
  • Driver’s License
  • Social Security Card
  • Credit
  • Bank Accounts
  • Transportation
Focus on Life Skills

Respect & Behavior

  • Job Safety
  • Promptness
  • Attendance
  • Addiction
  • Attire
  • Investment
  • Collegiality
Interview Readiness

Navigating the Interview Process

  • Be on Time
  • Interview Appearance
  • Proper Posture
  • Speak Loudly and Clearly

How the PATH Program prepares candidates

Classes, job fairs, and individual mentoring sessions lead candidates toward accredited apprenticeship programs.

How PATH Helps

Less distance between candidates and apprenticeships.

  • The application process can be hard to navigate.
  • Required documentation can be hard to gather.
  • Interview expectations are not always clear.
  • Access to accredited programs can feel out of reach.
  • Not everyone has a mentor to guide them.
Apprentices learning a trade skill together with an instructor
  • Mentor candidates through the application process.
  • Help candidates obtain the documentation they need.
  • Prepare candidates to be interview-ready.
  • Open doors through trade organizations.
  • Offer individual mentoring sessions.
The PATH Process

Learn, prepare, meet, and advance.

The PATH Program guides candidates step by step toward apprenticeship acceptance.

  1. 01

    Learn

    classes, life skills, job readiness

  2. 02

    Prepare

    documentation, credentials, interview skills

  3. 03

    Meet

    job fairs, trade organizations, mentors

  4. 04

    Advance

    accredited apprenticeship programs

Start a conversation

Send a message to learn about the PATH Program and how candidates are prepared for apprenticeship.