The Hurtt Fathers Advocate Corporation
SFAC
Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot Program
The Strengthening Families and Communities (SFAC) Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot Program is a 16-week workforce readiness initiative designed to prepare young adults ages 18–24 for successful entry into and retention in registered apprenticeship and skilled-trade career pathways. Participants receive applied math and workplace literacy preparation, apprenticeship aptitude-test preparation, career and workplace readiness training, mentoring, case management, and wraparound supportive services that address barriers to participation and long-term success.
Why This Program Is Needed
Baltimore has made real progress in education and workforce development, and that progress matters. At the same time, many young adults still reach the point of choosing a career without the academic preparation, confidence, or support they need to succeed in a skilled-trades apprenticeship.
For the Class of 2025, Baltimore City Public Schools reported a four-year graduation rate of 71.7%, the highest rate since 2018. That is encouraging, but it also shows that a significant number of young people are still leaving high school without completing on time.
Academic readiness remains an important part of the challenge. In the 2024–2025 school year, 31.2% of Baltimore City students were proficient in English Language Arts, while 12.6% were proficient across mathematics assessments. On the Algebra I assessment, 11.6% of Baltimore City students demonstrated proficiency.
Those numbers matter because apprenticeship programs require more than interest and motivation. Participants are expected to read technical material, solve math problems, follow instructions, communicate on the job, complete classroom training, and pass assessments. When young adults enter without enough preparation in those areas, the transition can become much harder.
Maryland’s Registered Apprenticeship system continues to grow and create important career opportunities. At the same time, the state has also reported a high number of apprenticeship cancellations. In 2023, Maryland processed 2,016 apprenticeship completions and 2,748 cancellations. In 2025, the state again reported more than 1,900 cancellations.
A cancellation can happen for many reasons. Some participants may struggle with transportation, work schedules, family responsibilities, academic requirements, attendance, workplace expectations, or other barriers that make it difficult to remain in training.
Federal workforce guidance recognizes the important role of quality pre-apprenticeship programs in helping people prepare for Registered Apprenticeship. Current U.S. Department of Labor guidance emphasizes foundational education, job readiness, hands-on preparation, supportive services, and strong connections to apprenticeship opportunities.
That is the gap SFAC is designed to address.
The SFAC Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot Program prepares young adults ages 18–24 before they enter an apprenticeship environment. Participants receive support in applied mathematics, workplace literacy, apprenticeship aptitude-test preparation, career and workplace readiness, mentoring, case management, and wraparound services that can help address barriers to participation.
The goal is not simply to help someone get into an apprenticeship.
The goal is to help them be ready to stay, grow, and succeed once they get there.
How the SFAC
Pre-Apprenticeship Program Works
SFAC turns preparation into a structured pathway toward apprenticeship and skilled trade careers. Young adults ages 18 to 24 receive focused instruction in applied mathematics, workplace literacy, apprenticeship aptitude testing, career readiness, communication, problem solving, and professional expectations.
Participants also receive a program stipend, mentoring, case management, and individualized support designed to help reduce barriers, stay engaged, and complete the program.
The goal is to prepare participants for more than an entrance assessment or interview by strengthening the academic skills, workplace readiness, confidence, and support they need to succeed in training, employment, and long term career pathways.
The program is being developed with support from the University of Baltimore School of Law through the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts. Young adults who have participated in University of Baltimore supported programs may also be introduced to SFAC as an additional pathway to workforce and apprenticeship preparation.
Pathway
To Apprenticeship
and Employment
Opportunity can change a life, but getting through the door is only the beginning.
For many young adults, especially those from underserved communities, the challenge is not a lack of ambition or willingness to work. Some have not had consistent access to the academic preparation, career guidance, professional networks, or support that can help turn opportunity into a lasting career.
Black youth and young adults are among those who can face longstanding educational and economic barriers to apprenticeship, skilled trades, and family sustaining careers. SFAC is designed to help close that readiness gap through preparation, opportunity, and continued support.
Building a Workforce Pipeline
SFAC creates a pathway from pre apprenticeship preparation to apprenticeship, employment, and long term career growth.
HFAC builds relationships with apprenticeship programs, skilled trade employers, workforce partners, and other career pathway organizations so prepared participants can move into real opportunities.
Participants receive support with apprenticeship entrance assessments, applications, interviews, workplace expectations, and the transition into employment or apprenticeship.
Before placement, participants strengthen applied mathematics, workplace literacy, apprenticeship aptitude preparation, communication, problem solving, career readiness, and professional expectations.
Mentoring, case management, and wraparound support help address barriers that can interfere with attendance, participation, and continued progress.
HFAC stays connected after placement through follow up and continued support to help participants remain on track and progress toward apprenticeship completion and long term career success.
The goal is not simply placement. It is preparation, opportunity, retention, and progress.
Measuring What Matters
HFAC will track academic growth, program completion, apprenticeship readiness, placement, retention, and participant progress over time.
What we learn will help us understand where barriers remain, which supports make the greatest difference, and how future SFAC cohorts can be strengthened.
We measure outcomes so we can keep learning, improving, and building better pathways to opportunity.
More Than a Job
For participants, SFAC is about more than getting a job.
It is about beginning a career.
A successful apprenticeship can lead to valuable skills, industry credentials, increased earning potential, advancement, and greater economic stability for a young adult and their family.
A young person who needs additional help with math or reading still has potential. Someone who needs transportation, mentoring, guidance, or additional support still has ambition. Where someone begins should not determine how far they are capable of going.
For apprenticeship programs and employers, SFAC helps create a stronger pipeline of prepared and supported candidates.
And for our community, it means more young adults with the opportunity to build stable careers, strengthen their families, contribute to the workforce, and help build a stronger Baltimore.
Prepare young adults for real opportunity, connect them to meaningful career pathways, and stay with them as they build what comes next.
Support the SFAC Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Your donation helps HFAC provide young adults with the preparation and support they need to enter and succeed in apprenticeship and skilled trade career pathways.
Support helps fund applied math and workplace literacy instruction, apprenticeship test preparation, program stipends, mentoring, case management, transportation assistance, work related supplies, and other supportive services that help participants stay engaged and move toward long term career success.
By supporting SFAC, you are helping build a stronger workforce pipeline for young adults, families, apprenticeship partners, employers, and our community.