The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation approved the energy-sector initiative, which was created with direct input from local businesses 

Today at City Hall, Baltimore City Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) Interim President James H. Johnson Jr. announced the launch of a new competency-based Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Apprentice program scheduled to begin this fall. 

The apprenticeship program was developed with input from local businesses and organizations with interests in the energy sector. The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development convened meetings with stakeholders from the private sector, public sector and education to ensure the apprenticeship addresses skill development based upon the employers’ needs. 

"Our Office of Employment Development successfully facilitated the conversation with leading city employers, resulting in the approval of BCCC's Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship Program," Mayor Catherine E. Pugh said. "Thanks to the Maryland State Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for approving this vital initiative that will benefit Baltimore City residents seeking sustainable careers in the energy sector.”

“Baltimore City Community College is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and our industry partners to prepare Baltimore City residents for jobs in a high-demand, well-paying field. This innovative program delivers tailored training to meet the employers’ needs and provides BCCC with a novel approach to efficiently transition students from the classroom to the workforce,” James H. Johnson, Jr., interim president of BCCC said.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) recently approved the program, which allows trainees to enter the workforce once they have demonstrated mastery of the requisite skills rather than gain certification based on how many hours they log in the classroom or at a job site. 

The program will instruct students in the installation and maintenance of mechanical machinery and systems as well as workplace safety. Students completing the program after an estimated 605 hours or about three years will enter the field as a journeyman and earn and industry-standard certification issued by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

The program is supported by local businesses and organizations including Veolia North America, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore City Public Schools, BGE, Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, MedStar Health, DLLR’s Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program, Sagamore Development, University of Maryland - Baltimore, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Under Armour.

“Veolia North America is extremely proud to be a part of this program. We’re pleased to see our commitment to and investment in the City of Baltimore and its people come to fruition through this program and we thank the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and Baltimore City Community College for their leadership in making it a reality,” said John Gibson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Veolia’s Municipal and Commercial Business. “Our national economy relies on critical infrastructure, and it is absolutely vital we are able to attract, train and retain employees to keep our country’s basic services operating. This program being launched today is designed to develop a strong workforce of committed experts who can keep the lights on and the water flowing.”

BCCC is currently accepting applications for the program and class will begin Sept. 2. For more information, please call 410-986-3200 or email Pat Mikos at Pmikos@bccc.edu.