1,136 Applications. 27 Apprentices. A New Chapter for the Maintenance Apprenticeship Program.

Pictured: Saraugh Fitah, Director of Workforce Initiatives, and Ping Zhou, Program Associate, prepare tool bags for the incoming MAP cohort.

The Maintenance Apprenticeship Program launches its largest cohort yet, creating career pathways and strengthening the maintenance workforce.

A career can begin with an opportunity, the right training and someone willing to invest in your potential.

This month the Maintenance Apprenticeship Program (MAP) welcomed 27 apprentices to Cohort 7, marking the largest cohort in the program’s history. The group was selected from 1,136 applications, underscoring the interest in career pathways that combine hands-on learning, technical training and the opportunity to grow professionally.

The launch brought apprentices together with program leaders, maintenance supervisors, and MAP alumni to kick off their apprenticeship journey. Through shared insights and experiences, apprentices began building connections and learning from the people who will support and guide their professional development.

Learning by Doing

Launched in 2018 by Connected Communities Foundation and WinnCompanies, MAP combines paid employment with hands-on experience, technical instruction and professional development to prepare participants for careers in property maintenance.

Over the 12-month apprenticeship, participants complete approximately 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and more than 150 hours of technical instruction. Working alongside experienced maintenance professionals, apprentices develop practical skills in areas such as plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC fundamentals, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and building operations.

Technical instruction through the Peterson School complements on-site experience, helping apprentices connect classroom learning with the work they perform every day.

Building Skills & Credentials

Safety and professional development are central to the program. During their 12-month apprenticeship, participants develop practical maintenance skills and receive training that includes OSHA 10, CPR and First Aid.

The program also prepares apprentices to pursue the Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) credential, an industry-recognized certification that further strengthens their technical knowledge and career opportunities. Following the apprenticeship, participants can continue their training and work toward earning their CAMT credential, typically completing the full development pathway in approximately 18 months.

Investing in People and Communities

A strong maintenance workforce is essential to the communities where people live. Yet for individuals interested in entering the field, gaining that first opportunity can be a significant challenge. Many employers seek candidates with prior maintenance experience, leaving those new to the profession facing a difficult question: How do you gain experience if no one is willing to give you the chance?

The Maintenance Apprenticeship Program helps bridge that gap by providing paid, hands-on training, technical instruction and professional development for individuals who are ready to learn and build a career. Rather than requiring applicants to arrive with maintenance experience, MAP creates a structured pathway for them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

Apprentices come from a range of backgrounds and stages of life. For some, MAP is a first step into the workforce after high school. Others are transitioning from careers spanning decades in different industries. Some are residents of the communities they help maintain. Their experiences may differ, but they share the opportunity to learn a skilled trade, gain practical experience and pursue a career with room to grow.

For Connected Communities Foundation and WinnCompanies, MAP represents an investment in both people and communities. By opening doors that might otherwise remain closed, the program helps expand access to meaningful career opportunities while developing the skilled maintenance professionals needed across the multifamily housing industry.

Interested in learning more about the Maintenance Apprenticeship Program or supporting its continued growth? Contact Connected Communities Foundation at info@connectedcommunities.org or visit connectedcommunities.org to explore opportunities to help expand this career pathway.