PHOENIX, AZ — Connect 202 Partners, the developer building the 22-mile Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, and 10 subcontractors on the project have combined to achieve three on-the-job training goals.

Participants in the training, which is required for Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) projects that receive federal funding, are members of minority groups, women and economically disadvantaged individuals.

In the first three years of the South Mountain Freeway construction, trades workers on the project have compiled nearly 275,000 hours of on-the-job training, including carpenters, project engineers, equipment operators, laborers, cement masons and iron workers. The goal for the project was 142,800 hours.

Additional goals met include having 56 trainees work at least 2,000 hours and having 13 trainees achieve journeyman status.

On-the-job training benefits both workers and project contractors. For inexperienced workers, the training helps launch their careers. Achieving journeyman status allows them to receive higher pay and benefits. For companies, the program helps attract and retain skilled workers.

Most of the training hours (238,875) were accrued by workers with Connect 202 Partners, a consortium of Fluor Enterprises, Granite Construction and Ames Construction. Two subcontractors, CS Construction and Stone Cold Masonry, each had more than 10,000 hours in on-the-job training.

ADOT’s on-the-job training programs usually are implemented on projects costing $3 million or more and involving at least 120 days of work.