With construction workers already in short supply, two light rail transit projects are expected to need 14,000 heavy equipment operators, laborers, carpenters, ironworkers and cement masons during the next several years.

In the hope of filling some of those jobs — and helping contractors meet workforce goals — the Metropolitan Council has partnered with several organizations to create “LRT Build.” The 10-week apprenticeship-readiness training program produced its first 16 graduates at the end of June, and organizers hope to graduate 20 more in a second cohort next spring.