On Friday, October 30th, 2020, 16 students graduated from the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest (FTIUM) 5-week Career Readiness Program, a program that prepares students for entry into a Finishing Trades Apprenticeship. The completion of this challenging program, alone, is a clear sign of their commitment to the pursuit of their new craft careers.

This program is funded in part by a $90,000 APEX Construction Career Readiness Training grant the FTIUM received through the MN Dept. of Labor and Industry. The grant funding goal is to address Minnesota’s racial and economic disparities by increasing female and minority participation in registered apprenticeships.

The students were thrilled when Chet’s Shoes brought their expertise and mobile boot truck onsite and personally-fitted each graduate with a brand-new pair of Redwing work boots, which will become an everyday essential in their new career. The boots are just the beginning of the opportunities that will become available to these graduates.

Of the 16 graduates, 8 students boasted perfect attendance, and 5 students are already placed with employers.

It goes to show that FTIUM’s programs produce hardworking, successful individuals.

We wish every one of our APEX Worker Readiness graduates a lifetime of success in the finishing trades and beyond! Our instructors and staff send our heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates:

Nye Soe K Maw
Natalie Pollard
Blut Doh
Hollin Hackett
Robert Brunt
Alan Thavis
Breanna McDade
Chong Xieng
Hser Plaw
Barbara Dominguez
Richard Dominguez
Christie Wagner
Kwar Nieboer
Huriel Vazquez
Shae Htai
Lily Mitchell