Butler County Community College is offering a free apprenticeship readiness program designed to prepare 16 people for applications with Western Pennsylvania building and construction trade unions.

BC3's apprenticeship readiness program helps people get accepted into tuition-free apprenticeship training programs with 16 unions and their partner contractors, according to a news release from BC3.

The program will held Feb. 19 through March 15.

BC3 created the program, along with the community colleges from Westmoreland, Allegheny and Beaver counties in conjunction with trade unions representing boilermakers, bricklayers, masons, electricians, elevator constructors, heat and frost insulators, ironworkers, painters, plumbers, roofers and waterproofers, sheet metal workers, sprinkler fitters, steam fitters and others.

It is funded by a $200,000 grant from state Department of Labor and Industry.