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ApprenticeshipSF is a partnership between City and County of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco, IAM Union Local 1414 and local community partners

ApprenticeshipSF, which pairs the City and County of San Francisco (City) with City College of San Francisco (�ȷ�����) to maximize the effectiveness of jobs programs, will welcome new students to the Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program, set to begin in Spring 2019, used its new campaign “Get on Board” to help recruit residents of San Francisco. Special effort made by community partners Tradeswomen, Inc. and the National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology, and Science, resulted in 22 percent of the applicants being women—a 340 percent increase over the number of women who applied eight months earlier.

“We want these opportunities to be open for everyone,” said San Francisco Human Resources Director Micki Callahan. “The outcomes of any work team are always better when all voices have a place at the table.”

The 18-week program revolves around a unique public and private apprentice training partnership that will feature specialized classroom instruction in automotive technology. Students will also receive valuable on-the-job training from experts at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), city departments, San Francisco Toyota, Golden Gate Transit, and other union automotive companies, which will prepare them for paid apprenticeships.

“Pre-apprenticeships are a great way to take people who have the potential and desire from where they are now, to where they need to be to enter a full apprenticeship program. said Daniel Mendolla, Business Representative from the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers. “These new Automotive Pre-Apprentices are excited to be a part of the highly skilled team that continues San Francisco’s spirit of leading, inclusion and innovation for years to come.”

After successfully completing a written aptitude assessment at the City’s testing center, interested candidates got pre-assessment help through Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and their free adult learning tutorials. Candidates who went on to pass the written academic assessment were invited to a panel interview. Prior to the interviews, candidates were encouraged to attend a basic interview skills workshop taught by the City’s Human Resources Department’s Workforce Development Division at no cost. These outreach efforts and supportive selection process have resulted a diverse and dynamic class for the Spring 2019 training.

A total of 45 candidates were qualified and 23 were selected to begin on-the-job and formal classroom education. Each of their skilled trade pre-apprentice certifications is contingent upon completion of the entire 18-week program.

“City College is excited about our partnership with the City, community organizations, and business partners to boost women workers in the automotive industry through ApprenticeshipSF,” said Dr. Mark Rocha, Chancellor of City College of San Francisco. “The Program focuses on the recruitment, training, and retention of populations traditionally that are underrepresented in the automotive sector.”