A Special Report: Jobs : SOUTH : On the Road to Training and Jobs

The Century Freeway Pre-apprenticeship Program offers paid job training for teen-agers and adults who live along the freeway’s route.

Participants receive 240 to 320 hours of basic construction training over 12 weeks in areas such as carpentry and roofing. Hourly wages range from the minimum $4.25 to $6.60, paid on a graduated basis during training.

Much of the construction involves replacing housing that was destroyed to make way for the Norwalk-to-LAX freeway.

“The program is important because even though the economy is slow right now, we foresee a change in the economy and a need to get people prepared,” said Maurice Kane, executive director of the Carpenter’s Education and Training Institute, which helps administer the program.

In addition to receiving hands-on training, participants can apply for support programs that include child care assistance and transportation allowances.

The program was started in 1982 after the federal government mandated that all contractors working on the freeway hire women and minorities for their crews. Upon completion of the program, graduates are placed in jobs and are allowed to keep the tools they’ve used to train. Applicants must live within three miles of the Century Freeway (105). Information: (310) 673-3941