The Healthy Homes Construction Careers (HHCC) program was developed by Employ Milwaukee in partnership with the Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE), Social Development Commission (SDC), and Revitalize MKE to provide a supply of trained and certified workers to take jobs remediating lead paint hazards in Milwaukee homes.
HHCC is generously funded through the City of Milwaukee via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program aims to connect trained workers with Lead Abatement certifications to contractors who are paid by the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) to remediate high lead risk homes. MHD’s efforts have been boosted by a $26M City of Milwaukee ARPA investment that will remediate over 800 homes in the next two years, creating a strong demand for qualified construction workers.
HHCC provides multiple tracks for job seekers based on interest, aptitudes, and past work experience.

Track 1: Individuals with construction training and experience can become Lead Abatement and/or Lead Abatement Supervisor certified in less than two weeks. Successful completers will be connected to local contractors for paid work experience and/or immediate employment.
Track 2: Individuals with no formal construction training can complete the SDC Absolute Advantage pre-apprenticeship course. The course is twelve (12) weeks in length and uses the "Core Curriculum: Introductory Craft Skills" from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) which covers math, safety, hand and power tool use, blueprints, and rigging. In addition to contributing to the rehabilitation of homes in the City of Milwaukee, participants gain the following certifications:
- OSHA 30
- Asbestos Abatement Worker
- Lead Abatement Worker
- Construction Safety
- Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate from Wisconsin Apprenticeship Systems
Participants are enrolled in the City of Milwaukee Residential Preference Program (RPP) giving them priority during hiring. Upon completion, graduates will be connected to local contractors for paid work experience and/or immediate employment.
You will have guaranteed work that will keep families safe. By removing lead-based paint from homes, it will prevent permanent harm to small children who might otherwise ingest this lead. The training is FREE to the student, including the cost of training, certification, exam fees, stipends, incentives, and wages during work experience. Students will be offered a full set of supportive services to fund transportation, childcare, equipment, and other needs related assistance.
Individuals will be assessed prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility requirements are met. Trainings will be held at 840 N. Old World 3rd Street, #400, Milwaukee, WI 53203 or 1730 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53205, unless otherwise noted.
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Interested in the Healthy Homes Construction Careers program? Register Now