As we step into 2026, Project JumpStart is celebrating more than a new calendar year. We’re celebrating new beginnings, new opportunities, and the incredible potential of Baltimore residents who choose to build careers in the skilled trades.
As an independent nonprofit organization, Project JumpStart is entering its next chapter with clarity, focus, and a deep commitment to Baltimore’s workforce and the employers who rely on it. For nearly two decades, we’ve helped people rewrite their futures — and the work continues with even more momentum.
Why the New Year Matters to Us
New Year’s resolutions often focus on health, finances, or personal growth.
At Project JumpStart, we see something deeper.
The New Year represents a chance for a new direction.
For many of our students and graduates, it’s the moment they decide:
- “This is the year I get a real career.”
- “This is the year I take care of my family.”
- “This is the year I stop surviving and start building something.”
If you’ve ever stood at that crossroads — wondering how to start over or step forward — you’re not alone. Project JumpStart was built for you.
2025 Was a Year of Growth — and 2026 Will Be Even Bigger
In 2025, Project JumpStart continued to prepare Baltimore residents for real careers in construction and the skilled trades. Our graduates joined companies across the region as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, flaggers, heavy equipment operators, and more.
This year, approximately 80 students graduated from Project JumpStart across multiple cohorts, with additional students currently enrolled and on track to complete training in early 2026. In addition, 24 students completed our Math and Reading Comprehension Intensive, preparing them for CAST certification through sponsorship from BGE.
Behind every number is a person who showed up early, worked hard, asked questions, and pushed through challenges many never see. We remain committed to opening doors for Baltimore residents who have been historically excluded from career-building opportunities, ensuring access to training, credentials, and real employment pathways.
We also strengthened partnerships with employers who believe in mentorship, second chances, and long-term workforce development. Through Registered Apprenticeships and structured on-the-job training, these partners are building their workforce pipelines for today and tomorrow.
And we launched and expanded initiatives designed to remove real barriers to employment — including JumpStart WHEELS, in partnership with Vehicles for Change, providing reliable transportation so graduates can get to work and stay employed.
More Than Programs — Real Solutions for Employers
Project JumpStart’s work extends beyond training alone. Through initiatives like JumpStart WHEELS and our suite of employer solutions — JumpStart Your Workforce, JumpStart Your Project, and JumpStart Your Team — we are meeting both worker and employer needs.
These solutions help contractors:
- Rapidly and risk-free onboard trained graduates
- Access reliable, entry-level talent ready to work
- Reduce turnover by hiring candidates who are prepared and supported
- Strengthen long-term workforce stability
Additional initiatives and outcomes can be found in our Annual Report and on our website — and there’s more ahead.
What’s Coming in 2026
Here’s what you can expect from Project JumpStart in the year ahead:
More Training Opportunities
Our pre-apprenticeship and employment readiness program will continue connecting Baltimore residents to real, hands-on training that leads directly to employment.
Stronger Employer Partnerships
Contractors are hiring — and they’re looking to JumpStart first. We’re expanding our employer network to ensure graduates have consistent, reliable access to opportunities. Employers are always welcome to attend graduations, speak to classes, and engage directly with future team members.
Tools, Transportation & Wraparound Support
From PPE and toolkits to driver’s education resources and vehicle donations, we’re continuing to expand the support systems that keep graduates on track for long-term success.
20th Anniversary: 20/20 Vision
In 2026, Project JumpStart celebrates 20 years of impact. We’ll be honoring our mission, our partners, and the thousands of graduates who have built their futures through this program. Stay tuned for special events, partnerships, and stories throughout the year.
A Message to Future Students
If you’ve been thinking about career training, entering the trades, or making a change — the New Year is the perfect time to start.
You don’t need experience.
You don’t need perfect grades.
You don’t need a certain background.
What you do need is:
- Commitment
- Accountability and a positive attitude
- A willingness to show up and work hard
- A desire to earn a family-sustaining, honest living
If that sounds like you, Project JumpStart is ready for you.
A Message to Employers
Thank you for your continued partnership. You are the reason our graduates turn training into careers — and the reason Baltimore’s construction workforce continues to grow.
In 2026, we are expanding employer engagement, onboarding new partners, and doubling down on quality candidates who are trained, certified, and ready to work.
In a competitive hiring landscape, let Project JumpStart be your recruiting and workforce development partner for building a skilled, reliable workforce in 2026 and beyond.
A Message to Our Community & Supporters
Whether you donated tools, provided funding, hired a graduate, or shared our work with someone who needed it — you made a difference.
Baltimore’s workforce grows one person at a time, one opportunity at a time. This year, we hope you’ll continue to stand with us, invest in our students, and help change lives through meaningful work.
Here’s to New Beginnings
2026 is more than a new year — it’s a year of progress, purpose, and possibility.
If you’re ready for a fresh start, ready to hire, or ready to support the next generation of skilled trades talent, Project JumpStart is here to walk alongside you.
New year. New career. New possibilities.
Let’s build them together.
To learn more about upcoming training sessions or ways to support, visit projectjumpstarttraining.org or email info@jumpstarttraining.org.
To learn more about our upcoming sessions or ways to support, visit projectjumpstarttraining.org or email info@jumpstarttraining.org.