Palmer Pathways is a 14-week (3 days/24 hours per week) construction-trades pre-apprenticeship program that has received recognition from the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. The program serves young adults of color between the ages of 18-26 in Pierce County, WA who are disconnected from education, unemployed/employed in low-wage jobs, are low-income (as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), and who may be justice-connected, be experiencing homelessness, have a disability, or face other barriers to employment and/or education. The program has two phases: six weeks of initial training focused on career exploration and preparation, wellbeing, soft skill development, industrial safety training, workplace soft skills and competencies, physical conditioning, financial education, basic math principles, and foundational trades knowledge (tools, terminology, skillsets). At the end of the first six weeks, participants choose their path: direct-to-employment, matriculation into a postsecondary program, or participation in second phase of our construction-trades pre-apprenticeship program, which lasts an additional eight weeks. The second phase builds on the knowledge gained in the first six weeks, focusing on hands-on construction skill development (hand/power tools and machinery), diving deep into construction terminology and math, providing participants with deep exposure to various trades through try-a-trade experiences, site visits, and meetings with apprenticeship and employer representatives, and intensive physical conditioning to pass apprenticeship entrance testing. After completing the second phase, participants will be connected to existing apprenticeship programs through our partnerships with local/regional unions, colleges, and employers for direct entry or preferred entry (we currently have 13 direct entry and 2 preferred entry articulation agreements in place). Throughout the training, participants will earn industry-recognized credentials totaling 66 hours, including Industrial First Aid/CPR/BBP/PPE, Flagger, OSHA 10, Forklift, Aerial/Scissor Lift, and OSHA 30 Construction.