BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, July 30, 2025) - Last week, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the launch of the Baltimore City Infrastructure Academy (BCIA). Led by the Mayor's Office of Infrastructure Development (MOID), the BCIA is a collaboration between city agencies that will streamline employee workforce development by consolidating training currently facilitated by various operational agencies. This includes programs like DGS's Fleet Academy and DPW's B'more WISE programs.

Baltimore City faces a critical need to grow and sustain a skilled infrastructure workforce. The BCIA was developed through a comprehensive review of existing curriculum, challenges, and vacancies. The coordination under the BCIA streamlines and standardizes the available opportunities for City employees to build and strengthen their skills, and for agencies to enhance the performance of critical services by investing in their workforce. The BCIA stands as a proud example of Responsible Stewardship of City Resources - one of five of the Mayor's Pillars.

Launched on July 24th, Phase I will incorporate the Fleet Academy apprenticeship program for Fleet Management run by the Department of General Services in coordination with Baltimore City Public Schools System.

"This is a full-circle moment for Park Heights," said Mayor Scott. "We've taken the old elementary school and turned it into a new space for learning: a training center where Baltimoreans can get qualified for good jobs that our City needs to fill. Whether you want to be a carpenter, mechanic, CDL or HVAC technician, we've got what you need to reach your goals. Fleet Academy is a win-win for our residents and the City, and I look forward to seeing it in action."

"This academy will prepare our residents with the skills they need to qualify for jobs on the front lines of building a better Baltimore," said City Administrator Faith Leach. "More residents will now have a direct path to a good-paying career in city government that serves our communities. It's an investment in our people, in the Park Heights neighborhood, and in Baltimore's future."

The Infrastructure Academy will focus on 5 key challenges:

1. Aging workforce, knowledge transfer, and succession planning
2. Skills gaps and training needs
3. Recruitment shortages
4. Curriculum modernization and technological advancements
5. Technological advancements, and infrastructure maintenance and resilience

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity we have to further invest in the City's youth and the next generation of talent that will support all agencies in their delivery of services to our residents," said Abrar Abukhdeir, DGS's Acting Assistant Deputy Director for Operations. "This is only the beginning."

"The B'More WISE program has successfully provided opportunities to both internal staff and external hires," said Michael Hallmen, Deputy Bureau Head of Water and Wastewater for the Department of Public Works. "The rigorous program design means external candidates quickly understand the treatment process and why it matters in order to become the best stewards of the environment they can be. Our internal cohorts have not only the opportunity to earn their permanent licensure but the support to do so. We're also proud to say that over half of our latest internal staff cohort have attained their permanent certifications, three of which were promoted after achieving their full licensure."

"The B'More WISE program was definitely a breath of fresh air," said Shane Young, a B'more WISE graduate and DPW employee of 12 years. "That was beyond needed for the soon-to-be Operators of Baltimore City's DPW. The program provided crucial training, which is a critical part of staying relevant in our field. The ever-changing terminology, methodology and everything surrounding the environment, moves as fast as new technology is created, which guides efficiency. We needed to come together and say, 'We can do better, so let's!' Our wonderful teacher Mr. Ron Turner put in some serious time and dedication, and we tried our best to give him results back. Baltimore City had the audacity to think we could be great and put in the time and money to back that idea. Now, we have the audacity to think, as Certified Operators, that we can compete with the best."

MOID will lead implementation efforts in partnership with city agencies, which will occur in phases. The initial launch begins with the DGS Fleet Training Apprenticeship Program and Public Works Inspection Training that provides specialized skills for construction management operations. Both the internal and external B'more WISE programs will be streamlined under the Baltimore City Infrastructure Academy as well. OSHA 10 & 30 Certification, Capital Project Management Training, and a variety of core courses that support organizational excellence such as Workplace Safety and Customer Support will come online over the course of the next year. Reforms will focus on improving transparency, efficiency, and training programs.