Barr Construction Institute

Barr Construction Institute Enrollment Opportunity

 -Youth & Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities-

HCC’s D.M. Bowman Family Workforce Training Center
562 Northern Avenue | Hagerstown, MD

https://www.hagerstowncc.edu/bci

Classes Two Evenings Per Week

Collaborative Partnership

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) Partnership with Barr Construction Institute (Barr)

Washington County Public Schools is proud to continue its long‑standing partnership with the Barr Construction Institute—formerly known as ABC Barr—to expand high‑quality workforce training opportunities for students across the county.

For more than six decades, the Barr Construction Institute has been a cornerstone of construction education in Washington County. Founded in 1958, Barr has trained generations of trades professionals and continues to grow its impact through its partnership with Hagerstown Community College and its relocation to a state‑of‑the‑art Northern Avenue facility. This new campus further solidifies Barr’s role as the region’s premier provider of construction and skilled trades training.

Through this collaboration, WCPS receives professional development for teachers to integrate Barr’s industry-recognized NCCER curriculum into select Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, and enrolls interested students in Barr’s evening training programs. With district support, WCPS students may participate in these programs at no cost, ensuring every motivated learner has the opportunity to explore in‑demand construction careers.

As Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future introduces new workforce and apprenticeship standards, WCPS is deepening its partnership with Barr and increasing financial support to open doors for even more students pursuing the skilled trades. Working together with employer partners, WCPS and Barr help students secure industry‑aligned employment and begin their pathway into Youth and Adult Registered Apprenticeships, creating a strong pipeline from high school to high‑wage technical careers.

Program Selection

Barr Construction Institute programs span four years of classroom‑related instruction. As a result, enrolled WCPS students must understand that participation requires a commitment extending beyond high school graduation. The WCPS CTE team will provide support throughout the students’ high school years; however, all enrollment and financial responsibilities after graduation will fall to the student and/or their employer, not Washington County Public Schools.

Students continuing after high school work toward Journeyperson status, which typically requires 8,000 on‑the‑job training hours and 576 hours of related instruction. Barr’s Apprenticeship Training Program provides at least 144 instructional hours per year, while full‑time employment generally supplies 2,000 work hours annually.

WCPS students may enroll in the following trades at Barr Construction Institute. Programs marked with an asterisk (*) are also offered as Registered Apprenticeships:

• Carpentry*

• Electrical*

• HVAC‑R*

• Plumbing*

For Current WCPS Students- Rising Seniors

The WCPS seniors may apply to attend Barr Construction Institute through the CTE Apprenticeship Team and the Barr online application. Interested students are asked to follow the “Apply to Barr Construction Institute through the WCPS Apprenticeship Program” instructions below.

Students must commit to attending evening training at the D.M. Bowman Training Center two nights per week throughout Junior and Senior years. Because Barr programs extend beyond high school, students should be prepared to continue training after graduation if they choose to pursue full program completion.

For WCPS Graduating Students

Washington County Public Schools and Barr are dedicated to providing seamless pathways into the trades. Students who completed CTE trade coursework within WCPS may transfer credit into Barr’s Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, or HVAC programs. This ensures a smooth continuation of their career training and supports their progression into high‑demand, high‑wage skilled trades careers. Credit acceptance is at the discretion of Barr Construction Institute based on curriculum.

Interested students need to complete the online Barr application for enrollment beyond high school.

Barr Construction Institute (BCI) Applications & Forms:

HCC’S BCI Webpage

BCI Student Application
BCI Student References Form

BCI Resources & Program Brochures

For additional information, contact:
Kathy Gress,  Executive Director of Barr Construction Institute

Email: kmgress@hagerstowncc.edu |  Phone: 240-500-2715

NEW PROCESS*

Apply to Barr Construction Institute through the WCPS Apprenticeship Program

Currently enrolled WCPS students must follow the steps below to begin the application process:

1. Meet With Your School Team
   Connect with your High School Guidance Counselor and Career Coach to discuss your long‑term secondary plan and confirm that Barr Construction Institute aligns with your career goals.

2. Review Program Information
   Carefully review all details about the Barr Construction Institute programs, training commitments, and evening class schedule.

3. Complete the WCPS Apprenticeship Application
   Work with your Career Coach to complete the full WCPS Apprenticeship Application.

   • Prepare a polished resume and cover letter- informing Barr which program you are interested in pursuing. Student Resources are located here.

   • Request Recommendations- Ask your favorite teacher and School Counselor to complete the WCPS recommendation forms. These should be included in your final application packet.

4. Submit Your WCPS Application
   Turn in your completed application, resume, cover letter, and recommendation forms to your School Counselor or Career Coach.
   They will submit your packet to: Siona Escoto, WCPS Apprenticeship Coordinator
   Email: EscotSio@wcps.k12.md.us CC: Apprenticeship@wcps.k12.md.us

5. Submit the Barr Application
   Complete the online Barr Construction Institute Application and References Sheet. These are submitted directly to Barr through their online system.

6. Enrollment Confirmation
   The WCPS Apprenticeship Coordinator and Barr Construction Institute representatives will review your materials and confirm enrollment and tuition coverage.

7. Interview & Commitment Requirements
   Students must complete all interviews, orientation steps, or commitment requirements assigned by Barr as part of the enrollment process.

Contact the CTE Apprenticeship Team:

Siona Escoto | Apprenticeship Coordinator

EscotSio@wcps.k12.md.us | 301-766-2951

CTE Apprenticeship Team | Apprenticeship@wcps.k12.md.us

wcpsapprenticeships.com