Our Story
Early 1994Executive Order 12898
President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 12898, which required federal agencies to address environmental hazards and health effects in minority and low-income populations.
Early 1995Minority Worker Training Program
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program (WEPT) creates the Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP) to recruit and train underserved individuals for construction and environmental remediation careers. The MWTP addresses access to inequality for minorities working in high-exposure jobs and facing barriers to employment.
Mid 1995Initial Grant Awarded
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Health & Safety Fund received a 5-year MWTP award partnering with Delgado Community College and the Painters & Allied Trades Training Fund in New Orleans.
1998New Local Partner
MWTP moves from Delgado Community College and partners with the New Orleans Carpenters Training Fund to train approximately 20 students annually in a pre-apprenticeship program.
1999CPWR Takes Over Grant
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Health & Safety Fund transferred the Minority Worker Training Program and Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program to CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training.
Mid 20005-Year Grant Completed
After a successful five years, approximately 100 participants have graduated from the program.
Mid 2000 - Mid 2020Continued Grants Awarded
After completing the initial grant cycle and proving the pilot program is a success, CPWR is awarded future 5-year grants over the next 20 years.
2002Journeymen Carpenters
The program's first graduates to enter the Carpenters Apprenticeship Program in late 1998 graduate to became journeymen carpenters.
2003Apprentice Mentoring Program
The MWTP staff developed the pilot Apprenticeship Mentoring Program to provide on-the-job mentoring of first year apprentices by seasoned journeymen.
2011State Recognition
The Louisiana Workforce Commission - Office of Apprenticeship officially recognizes the MWTP as the only legitimate Pre-Apprenticeship Program in the state. The program is added to the Eligible Training Provider list allowing program participants to apply for Individual Training Accounts to purchase tools and additional supportive services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
2014A New Name
NIEHS renames the MWTP to the Environmental Career Worker Training Program (ECWTP). The name changes, but the mission remains the same.
Mid 2020Latest Grant Awarded
After completing 4 additional grant cycles, the program celebrates 25 years of success connecting hundreds of local graduates to registered apprenticeship programs and high-earning careers in construction.
Early 2023One Door Closes…
After a 25 year history with the Carpenters & Millwrights Training Trust Fund in New Orleans, new management decides to end the partnership.
Mid 2023…And Another One Opens
As of July 2023, we have established a new partnership with the IUPAT District Council 10. This will enable us to continue our tradition of serving our community. We will also extend our reach into the various Registered Apprenticeship Programs affiliated with the Southeastern Louisiana Building & Construction Trades Council.
TodayOur Future Looks Bright
Thanks to our strong partnerships, we are able to provide free training to minority workers who are in search of better career opportunities in the construction trades.