This Giving Tuesday our workforce development program The Campaign for Historic Trades is raising funds to help young adults with cost of living expenses during their 12-26 week terms with the carpentry, woodcrafting, & masonry teams at the Historic Preservation Training Center in Frederick, Md.
Groundbreaking decision provides cohesive framework to enter careers in historic trades
BALTIMORE (November 14, 2023) – The Campaign for Historic Trades, a national workforce development program, powered by Preservation Maryland, that is focused on expanding and strengthening careers in the historic trades, today announced the Maryland Department of Labor approved its first-of-its-kind group apprenticeship program for state registration. The program sets standards – including on-the-job learning, related instruction, and core competencies – that provide a clear process for entering the workforce in roles like deconstruction technician, historic window technician, and preservation carpenter.
In honor of National Preservation Month Preservation Maryland hosted elected officials, members of the preservation community, and stakeholders today in Frederick to recognize the passage of The Frederick Jobs and Historic Preservation Training Center Land Acquisition Act.
L-R: Preservation Maryland’s President & CEO Nicholas Redding, HPTC’s Superintendent Moss Rudley, HPTC’s Deputy Superintendent Brandon Gordon, Frederick County Council President Brad Young, Congressman David Trone, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, and Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor tour HPTC.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Congressman David Trone (D-Md.), Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, and Frederick County Council President Brad Young joined Preservation Maryland’s President & CEO Nicholas Redding and National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center’s (HPTC) Superintendent Moss Rudley for the event, which included a guided tour of HPTC’s current facility and a formal program at Frederick’s Visitor’s Center.
L-R: Redding, Mayor O’Connor, Congressman Trone, Gordon, Senator Van Hollen.
Sponsored by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and by Congressman Trone in the House of Representatives, the legislation gives the National Park Service congressional authority to build out a larger, fully functioning center for historic trades training; the new center will allow for the needed expansion, as the current demand for qualified individuals far outweighs those that have been trained. Preservation Maryland and NPS’ Historic Preservation Training Center, located in downtown Frederick, run the national workforce development program The Campaign for Historic Trades which works to expand and strengthen training and career opportunities in historic trades.
Attendees were able to see HPTC staff and trainees at work and learn more about the type of training and hands-on work that will expand as a result of the legislation and subsequent future increased footprint of a new training center. 
Senator Van Hollen, Rep. Trone, County Executive Fitzwater and Mayor O’Connor also delivered remarks and presented proclamations in honor of Preservation Month before the program concluded.
Learn more about The Campaign for Historic Trades
The Campaign visits the National Association of Women in Construction summer camp for young women
The Campaign for Historic Trades and partner National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center staff spent a day teaching historic trades skills to young women at the National Association of Women in Construction ‘s Camp NAWIC Baltimore, a free, week-long day camp for 7th to 12th grade girls to introduce them to a potential career in the construction industry.
The Campaign gave demonstrations on both masonry repointing and historic window reglazing and spoke to the campers about career opportunities in historic trades and preservation. For the masonry demonstration, campers learned how to mix mortar from sand, lime, and water and then repoint damaged masonry joints using traditional tools and techniques.
The Campaign for Historic Trades is a partnership between Preservation Maryland and NPS’ Historic Preservation Training Center created to strengthen and expand career opportunities in historic trades.