State officials on Friday recognized the first group of registered apprentices to join the state’s transportation maintainer workforce, marking the launch of a new training pipeline for highway operations jobs.
The inaugural class of nine apprentices completed 2,044 hours of training over the past year, earning commercial driver’s licenses and transitioning into full-time roles with the DOT. The workers will handle essential highway duties, including snow plowing, construction support, landscaping and general maintenance.
The apprenticeship program is a collaboration between the state Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor and the Connecticut Employees Union Independent, Local 511. Officials said the effort is intended to address staffing needs in transportation and create structured training for entry-level public-sector jobs.
Gov. Ned Lamont said the apprenticeship model strengthens the state’s ability to prepare workers while filling critical transportation jobs. He encouraged job seekers to consider applying for future apprenticeship cohorts.
Connecticut has more than 6,500 registered apprentices across 50 occupations. Apprenticeships typically last one to four years and combine classroom instruction with supervised on-the-job training.
The state’s Office of Apprenticeship Training, part of the Department of Labor, oversees registered apprenticeship programs in Connecticut.
Employers interested in pursuing registered apprenticeship programs for their business are encouraged to contact the Office of Apprenticeship Training.
