New MC3 pathway connects students to union careers through hands-on training and direct industry partnerships.
Laney College, in partnership with the Alameda County Building Trades Council and the Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI), has officially launched a powerful pre-apprenticeship pathway that’s already changing lives. Supported by High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) funding, the program is designed to train students for high-paying, stable careers in the construction industry—and to connect them directly with union apprenticeship opportunities.
At the heart of the effort is the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) pre-apprenticeship, which provides hands-on training, industry-recognized certifications, and a direct line into local unions and union-signatory contractors. Since its launch, more than 50 students have completed the program, with referrals into trades such as Bricklayers Local 3, Carpet and Tile Workers Local 12, Electrical Workers Local 595, and companies like Gill’s Electric and Tulum Engineering.
Students in the program train in core construction skills such as carpentry, layout, and electrical work, and receive certifications including OSHA10, First Aid/CPR, and the MC3 credential. In addition, they develop personalized employment plans with guidance from industry professionals, giving them the tools to choose a trade and succeed in it.
The initiative draws from Laney’s deep strengths in skilled trades education. For example, the college’s Carpentry Department teaches students everything that goes into building a home—from foundation to framing, energy-efficient design, bathrooms, kitchens, and finish work.
One of the program’s standout successes includes three Laney students who, thanks to their MC3 credential, were able to bypass the entrance exam and move directly to interviews with the Alameda County Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)—a rare opportunity in a competitive field.
The program recently completed its second cohort, with many students already progressing into full-time employment and union apprenticeships.
As Laney College continues to expand access to skilled trades and CTE pathways, programs like this demonstrate the power of collaboration and the importance of providing students with training that leads directly to opportunity.
