This webinar introduces attendees to the w orld of apprenticeship&mdash\;what it is\, how it works\, and how to start one in Maryland. The presentation will highlight careers in construction and the skilled trades\, emphasizing practical steps participants can take immediately after the session. Attendees will also learn about MCCEI&rsqu o\;s statewide workforce development resources and apprenticeship search t ools. The program features a guest segment from Sharon Burley of ABC Great er Baltimore\, one of Maryland&rsquo\;s leading registered apprenticeship providers.
\nClick on the YouTu be video linked below to stream the program live on January 20 or watch th e recording later.
\nMaryland public libraries are proud to \;present Career Success Month\, set to take place in public librarie s throughout the state from January 6-February 28\, 2026. ​Library professionals \;play a significant role in strengthening our community 's workforce by tapping into relevant trends and topics\, such as: Artific ial Intelligence (AI)\, financial literacy\, cybersecurity\, emerging adul ts in the workforce\, entrepreneurship\, and trades career paths.​< /p>\n
Programs will be offered in library systems statewide\, virtually\ , and in-person\, displaying the collaboration across library systems duri ng Career Success Month. The goal of Maryland public libraries this month is to build employment skills and advancement opportunities by strengtheni ng Maryland's \;workforce\, businesses\, partnerships \;and commun ities.
\nCareer Success Month will have two keynote speakers\, both experts in their fields. In January\, Prince George's County Memorial Libr ary System will host a keynote address by Jennifer Dewees\, \;presiden t of​ \;The Maryland Center for Construction Education &\; I nnovation (MCCEI)\, \;one of Baltimore Business \;Journal&rsquo\;s 2024 "Women Who Mean Business&rdquo\; \; honorees. \; She will be speaking about the workforce in the trade industry from \;6:30 \; to 7:30 p.m. on January 20. \;The second keynote speaker will be Crys tal Trice\, \;an instructor and founder of \;Scissors &\; Glue\ , LLC\, \;known for providing cutting-edge AI education that is \; relevant to today&rsquo\;s job market and the future of the workforce. She will deliver a keynote address\, hosted by Enoch Pratt Free Library\, fro m 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on \;February 3. \;Both events will be held&nb sp\;virtually.
\nCareer Success Month was developed and organized&nb sp\;by the Maryland State Library Agency and its \;​​Wor kforce\, Career and Business Community of Practice \;&mdash\;​ a group of \;library \;professionals \;from across the state&n bsp\;who \;​meet monthly to share ideas and collaborate on work force\, business \;and career programs and services in public librarie s.
\nThis year's inspiring theme is "Stronger Workforce\, Stronger M aryland."
\n
Jennifer Dewees\, President of MCCEI\; Co-Founder and Constructio n Lead of MAC\, and Co-Founder of Baltimore Modular
\nJenni fer Dewees is passionately committed to fostering diversity in Built Envir onment careers and is widely recognized as a disrupter and changemaker wit h bold\, innovative solutions for both the construction industry and workf orce development as a whole.
\nAs President of the Maryland Center f or Construction Education &\; Innovation (MCCEI)\, she pushes the indus try forward by ensuring careers in the Built Environment are appealing\, w elcoming\, and attainable for a diverse population. Under her leadership\, MCCEI received the Daily Record Empowering Women Award for advancing equi ty and opportunity across the construction sector.
\nThrough the Mar yland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC)\, Jenn champions apprenticeships as e ssential workforce drivers for the construction industry and beyond. Her w ork bridges the gap between employers and career seekers\, future-proofing the workforce while expanding access to high-quality career pathways.
\nAs co-founder of Baltimore Modular (BMod)\, Jenn is building a first-
of-its-kind ecosystem for modular housing and off-site construction in Bal
timore City. By uniting developers\, architects\, manufacturers\, communit
y organizations\, and government\, she is working to disrupt traditional a
pproaches to housing and workforce development with a replicable model for
innovation and
neighborhood revitalization.
A recognized exp
ert in workforce inclusion\, Jenn advocates for Built Environment careers
as a solution to the gender pay gap and a platform for women and underrepr
esented groups to build
prosperous\, sustainable careers. Her work de
monstrates how the construction industry &mdash\; and workforce developmen
t more broadly &mdash\; can be reimagined as drivers of equity and opportu
nity.
Jenn has spoken at the Baltimore Together Summit\, the Natio nal Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Annual Conference\, the A ssociated Builders &\; Contractors Annual Conference\, the World of Mod ular Conference\, and the Procore Groundbreak Conference. Her achievements include being a two-time Daily Record Top 100 Women in Maryland winner\, recipient of NAWIC&rsquo\;s Powerhouse Award\, recognition as one of Const ruction Dive&rsquo\;s Top 33 Women in Construction\, and CREW Baltimore&rs quo\;s Women of Influence. She has also been featured in WBAL-TV\, WJZ\, W BFF FOX 45\, The Afro-American Newspaper\, Baltimore Magazine\, and Buildi ng Baltimore Magazine.
\nJenn serves on numerous boards\, including NAWIC &mdash\; where she was previously a director on the national board & mdash\; the Caroline Center\, Loyola University&rsquo\;s Real Estate Board \, and the Morgan State Construction Management Advisory Board. She also l ends her expertise as chairperson of the Maryland Workforce Alliance and a s a member of ABC Greater Baltimore\, CREW Baltimore\, and the Building Co ngress &\; Exchange.
\n
Sharon Burley\, Assistant Manager of Workforce Development\, ABC Greater Baltimore
\nSharon Burley serves as the Assistant Manager of Workforce Development at Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Baltimore. With over eight years of experien ce in the construction industry\, Sharon brings a strong background in wor kforce training and development\, having progressed from Apprenticeship Co ordinator to Programs Coordinator before stepping into her current leaders hip role.
\nIn her position\, Sharon oversees the operations of the ABC Greater Baltimore Construction Education Academy Trade School\, a pivo tal program that bridges the gap between education and hands-on apprentice ships in the construction trades. She acts as a key liaison with regional schools\, managing day-to-day program functions\, coordinating student pla cement\, and cultivating pathways to employment.
\nSharon is deeply
committed to empowering the next generation of skilled workers. She and he
r team provide personalized support to students\, including career guidanc
e\, interview preparation\,
and strategic industry connections to ens
ure long-term success in the construction field. Reflecting on her work\,
Sharon shares: &ldquo\;I can honestly say that I enjoy nearly every aspect
of my job. I get to introduce students to the construction industry\, see
them take their first steps toward a career\, guide them through the proc
ess\, and create opportunities for them to secure employment that will lea
d to lifelong success.&rdquo\;