Music City Construction Careers says program has placed 70% of graduates into paid union apprenticeships

Representatives of Music City Construction Careers told the Metropolitan Council on May 20 that their pre-apprenticeship program has expanded since 2019 and is placing a majority of graduates into paid union apprenticeships.

Executive Director Sam Petchelat (identified in the meeting record as the organization’s executive director) said the program started with about five to 10 students a class in 2019 and has grown to more than 30 students per class with Metro support and funding from the Metro Action Commission. "Since Metro Nashville began supporting us along with the Metro Action Commission, we've grown to 30 plus students a class, graduated over 300 individuals, and placed more than 70% of them into paid union apprenticeship programs," Petchelat told the council.

Petchelat described one graduate, Mary, who entered the program in 2019 earning $12 an hour, completed the program with perfect attendance, entered a union apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Workers local and recently graduated from a four-year apprenticeship program. "She's earning $70,000 a year with the union benefits, union pay, and union solidarity," he said.

Petchelat said the nonprofit brings classes to the council chamber to expose trainees to local government and to encourage engagement. He thanked council support and said the program aims to create "real careers, not gig work, not part time." No formal action was taken on the presentation.