AGC-PR launches 1st registered construction apprenticeship program
The Puerto Rico Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC-PR) has launched its first Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), enrolling 44 trainees from 10 construction companies to address the island’s skilled labor shortage.
“This is a concrete step to address the urgent need for skilled labor in Puerto Rico,” said architect Umberto Donato, president of AGC-PR’s labor development committee. “We’re very excited about the commitment of our companies and the collaboration with entities such as Huertas College, One Stop Career Center and the Workforce Training Academy.”
The program combines hands-on experience with classroom instruction. The academic semester will begin in August, with courses and mentoring at Huertas College in Caguas and the Workforce Training Academy in Arecibo.
Participants will receive training in carpentry, masonry, general works and finishing — trades in high demand across Puerto Rico.
José Torrens, president of AGC-PR, emphasized the program’s dual benefit. “This is a valuable opportunity for construction workers to advance their professional development and increase income, as well as for companies to attract new talent to the industry,” he said.
The program marks a partnership between AGC-PR’s Workforce Development Foundation (AGC-WDF) and the One Stop Career Center, formalized through a memorandum of understanding. Apprentices will also benefit from the Advancing 2 Good Jobs Program (A2GJ), which promotes access to employment, mentorship and skills development.
The first cohort includes adults aged 25 to 54, all with a high school diploma or equivalent. The program is designed to support both young adults entering the workforce and experienced workers seeking retraining.
The RAP is funded through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity and Advancement Act (WIOA), which supports technical training and equitable participation across the construction industry. AGC-PR described the launch as a foundational investment in Puerto Rico’s long-term construction workforce.
“AGC-PR reaffirms its commitment to continue promoting the development of a skilled, safe and productive workforce for the benefit of the sustainable growth of construction in Puerto Rico,” the organization stated.
