HANOVER, MD (December 7, 2011) – Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley today announced a new training program for disadvantaged Marylanders to give them the key tools they need to secure jobs in the transportation field.  Based at the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), the new BuildUp training program is geared to prepare 150 participants, during the next year, for transportation careers in one of three primary tracks: construction craft skills, Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) systems and accredited CDL (commercial driving license) preparation.  With training programs being hosted in spring, summer and fall sessions, participants will earn paid stipends for training.

“Today, we are taking another step forward to creating more jobs and expanding opportunity for more Marylanders,” said Secretary Swaim-Staley. “The BuildUP program invests in people and provides them with essential job skills to be competitive in today’s market.  This program is a win, win initiative because it provides our transportation field with qualified, skilled individuals while creating and saving jobs for our families.”

BuildUp is a new, $1 million program that expands the success of the Ready- Set-Go on the job training initiative, which started in 2011 with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds provided through the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.  Fifty participants graduated from the Ready-Set-Go program and nearly 20 percent of them are now permanently employed as a result of the training and support services.  Consistent with Governor Martin O’Malley’s jobs-creation goals, the BuildUp program will be even broader in scope and offer expanded classes.

"I want to thank Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley for her partnership in expanding transportation-based job training and committing the funds necessary for the BuildUP program," said State Senator Verna Jones-Rodwell.  " The BuildUP program is more evidence of my mission as a public servant to bring hope, help and healing to Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.  I can't think of a better way to usher in the holiday season - opening the road to opportunity to those who need it most."

Employment support services include resume building, interview techniques and transportation assistance. A unique aspect of the training opportunity includes an emphasis on job placement assistance through networking, job fairs and on-the-job training. 

Those eligible to apply include currently unemployed, minorities, women, as well as those who are economically and socially disadvantaged Marylanders.  Applications will be available for download on SHA’s web site and may be submitted beginning December 15 and continuing through January 15.  Selected candidates will be paid a stipend and offered free transportation where available.  For more information, those interested in applying can find out more information on the program at www.roads.maryland.gov under the news section or by sending email inquiries to shabuildup@sha.state.md.us  or by calling toll-free at 1-888-545-0098.

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