Career Programs
Construction
Master the Craft of Construction
The Eden Career Institute is approved to provide the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Program which is designed to increase the number of qualified construction and building trades apprentices who are women, people of color, and veterans, and to prepare all participants to enter U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs on their way to careers in the construction and building trades. This is not just training, it is a career pathway with real earning potential, industry credentials, and personalized support to help you get there.
This program is funded by the Office of Illinois Works, State of Illinois.
Program Format
Schedule: Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am -3:00 pm
11-week program, 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
6 hours of instruction per day | 185 total training hours of training
Cost to participants: FREE
Industry-Recognized Certifications
Every graduate earns three nationally recognized credentials:
NCCER Core Curriculum Certification
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification.
First Aid/CPR Certification
These certifications are portable, recognized by employers across the industry, and travel with you throughout your career.
Performance-Based Stipends
Participants who attend required sessions and pass module assessments earn performance-based stipends.
Wrap-Around Support Services
We understand that life doesn’t stop when training begins. ECI provides wrap-around support services to help remove barriers that could prevent you from completing the program. Available support may include:
Transportation assistance
Childcare care support
Driver’s education support
Financial literacy resources
Digital literacy resources
And more, based on individual need
Participants opt into services based on their personal needs. If you are unsure whether you qualify for support, reach out, we want to help you succeed.
Job Readiness and Registered Apprenticeship Assistance.
Program completion is the beginning, not the end. ECI’s transition services help you move confidently into a Registered Apprenticeship Program or employment, including:
Resume writing and review
Mock interviews
Apprenticeship application assistance
Apprenticeship program tours
Who Should Apply
All Illinois residents are welcome to apply, with special emphasis on women, people of color, and veterans, groups that have been historically underrepresented in the construction industry and building trades. When you join this program, you join a community that is committed to your success.
Note: Individuals who have already enrolled or participated in a U.S. DOL Registered Apprenticeship Program, or who have been declared a journeyperson by a DOL apprenticeship program, are not eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment (and upon completion)
Be a State of Illinois resident at the time of application
Hold a High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET certificate
Have an interest in pursuing a career in the construction and building trades
Documentation of age, residency, and education will be required during the application process.
