New Headquarters

The Challenge Program's New Headquarters, CTEC

The Challenge Program has just begun construction on its new headquarters on the banks of the Christina River in downtown Wilmington. The design and construction of this new state of the art facility will implement and showcase green building technology, including a green roof, geothermal heat, solar panels and recycled building materials. The trainees are actively working on production of the building, and throughout the process will be trained as a “green workforce” well positioned to find work in this emerging industry. The Challenge Program is trying to achieve a LEED Gold certification for the building.

Our headquarters has been located in the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard since 1992. We now have a lease with Kalmar Nyckel and the City for a portion of the shipyard, and we are engaged in a capital campaign to build a permanent structure to house our operations. This new shop will be a model training center for urban youth, and we have enlisted all of our partners to help us build a first class facility. The building will include: classrooms, offices, conference and shop space, and a computer room. The project is being built on the footprint of the building we used to occupy.

New Castle County Pride Training Program

If you are a resident of New Castle County and are interested in our construction training program, download an application. NOTE: Residents of the City of Wilmington are not eligible for the NCC Pride Program. If you are a city resident, please download the Challenge Program Trainee Appliction below.

DOWNLOAD A NCC PRIDE APPLICATION

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Become a Trainee

DOWNLOAD A TRAINEE APPLICATION

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Featured Project: Challenge Program Headquarters

We have recently begun construction on our new headquarters. This LEED Gold building has already won multiple awards, including recognition from AIA Pennsylvania, AIA Philadelphia, and the Delaware Valley Green Building Council. The design and construction of this new state of the art facility will implement and showcase green building technology, including a green roof, geothermal heat, solar panels, captured rainwater and recycled building materials. The trainees are actively working on production of the building, along with Challenge Program instructors and sub-contractors.

Projects in Progress

1625 W. 8th Street

We are finishing work on a project in partnership with the West End Neighborhood House’s Lifelines Program called Kids Building for Kids. The house is located at 1625 W. 8th Street and wil be a transitional home for individuals “aging-out” of the foster care system who would otherwise be homeless. This is another gut renovation with three bedrooms, one and a half baths, with new systems and finishes throughout. The rear addition on the house needed a new foundation and new framing, so the trainees were able to do some foundation work in addition to rough framing. Funding for this outstanding project is provided by the Good Samaritan Foundation and the Prudential Fox Roach Foundation.

104/106 E. 22nd Street

Our newest projects are the renovation of two vacant properties located at 104 and 106 E. 22nd St. in partnership with Greater Brandywine Revitalization project. These two historic properties are set amongst Habitat for Humanity’s Miller Row and another large development on Carter Street. The row houses will be renovated with customary Challenge Program flair and attention to detail and will be for sale in the fall of 2009.