Walk past almost any active job site in Baltimore this summer, and you will notice the same thing contractors across the country are noticing: not enough qualified people to do the work. It is not a local problem, and it is not a temporary one. It is a structural shift in the construction industry, and it is reshaping how companies find, train, and hire talent.
The Numbers Tell the Story
According to the 2025 AGC and NCCER Workforce Survey, 92 percent of construction firms report difficulty filling open positions. Among firms trying to fill hourly craft roles specifically, the AGC/Sage 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook puts that figure at 82 percent, the highest share in three years. Nationally, Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the industry needs 349,000 net new workers in 2026 alone just to keep pace with demand.
Baltimore is not exempt from these trends. Major regional projects, from transit infrastructure to commercial development, depend on a steady supply of trained, certified, work-ready tradespeople. When that supply runs short, timelines slip, costs climb, and opportunities for local residents go unfilled.
That gap is exactly where Project JumpStart comes in.
Training That Meets the Moment
Project JumpStart exists to connect Baltimore residents with real careers in the construction trades, and to connect regional employers with workers who show up ready to contribute from day one. The program’s core training includes:
- OSHA 10 certification
- CPR and First Aid certification
- 87 hours of job readiness training covering workplace expectations, communication, and professionalism
- Drug testing prior to placement
- A free pipeline connecting graduates directly with employer partners
This is not a generic jobs program. It is a deliberate response to what employers say they actually need: candidates who arrive with foundational safety credentials, a demonstrated work ethic, and the soft skills that keep a crew running smoothly.
From Training to a Career: Niyi’s Story
Niyi Ajisemola came through Project JumpStart’s training program like every other graduate, learning the fundamentals and earning his core certifications. Today, he works as a Construction Manager at HNTB Corporation on the Purple Line project, one of the largest transit infrastructure builds in the region.
Niyi’s path illustrates what the program is designed to do: take someone ready to work hard and give them the credentials, training, and connections to build a lasting career in the trades. His trajectory from trainee to construction manager on a major infrastructure project shows what is possible when residents get access to the right training and employers get access to the right talent.
A Two-Sided Solution
Workforce shortages are not just a hiring problem for contractors. They are also an opportunity gap for residents who want stable, well-paying careers but lack a clear path into the industry. Project JumpStart is built to close both gaps at once.
For Baltimore residents, that means a structured, no-cost path into construction careers, backed by certifications employers actually recognize and value.
For regional employers, that means a pipeline of pre-screened, trained candidates without the overhead of building a training program from scratch. Employer partners like Regional Contracting Services have found that graduates arrive with the certifications and readiness training that shorten the runway between hire and productivity.
Get Involved This Month
Project JumpStart regularly hosts Lunch and Learn sessions where employers can meet graduates, tour the program, and learn how the pipeline works firsthand. These sessions run throughout the summer, with the next round of dates continuing through August.
If your company is facing the same hiring challenges reflected in the numbers above, an hour spent at a Lunch and Learn is a low-commitment way to see whether Project JumpStart’s pipeline is a fit for your workforce needs.
If you are a Baltimore resident considering a career in the trades, Project JumpStart’s training program is designed to give you a real, structured path forward, from your first day of training to your first day on the job.
Ready to learn more? Reach out to the Project JumpStart team to register for an upcoming Lunch and Learn or to start the application process for the next training cohort.