The U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week runs through November 17, and it provides an excellent way to recognize the benefits of apprenticeship and how it is helping so many Americans build solid, satisfying careers.
National Apprenticeship Week is an annual nationwide celebration that offers businesses, educators and others who are critical to the success of apprenticeships the chance to express their ongoing support for these training opportunities. The week also provides apprenticeship sponsors the opportunity to showcase their programs and facilities, as well as the apprentices who are benefitting from their efforts.
There are many ways people will be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week this week. These include apprentice graduations, business open houses, high school career fairs, apprenticeship signing days, skills competitions and more.
Celebrating a solid career path
With the cost of a traditional college education continually rising and no promise of landing a good job in their four-year field of study, many students and their families are reconsidering the value of an apprenticeship in the construction trades.
Apprenticeships offer a wide array of advantages, including the opportunity to earn a livable wage and benefits right from the start, all while you learn an important, in-demand craft from highly trained journeymen and journeywomen.
What’s more, once you complete your apprenticeship program, you’re practically guaranteed a good-paying, stable job because you too will then be a journeyperson; you’ll be ready to put your competence and experience into action as a key member of the building trades. Varied opportunities exist in the construction trades after apprenticeship, including foreman, estimator, purchaser, general superintendent or even owning your own business.
Apprenticeships also offer the following unique advantages:
- Little to no cost; you will complete your apprenticeship debt-free
- Varied, interesting work that develops your skill in your chosen trade
- Ongoing support from highly experienced journeymen and journeywomen who will guide you on your way to success
- Nationally recognized certification upon completion of a registered apprenticeship that formally recognizes your competence and skill
As many who work in the construction trades continue to retire, the demand for new apprentices to enter these crafts continues to grow. Apprenticeships offer an excellent way to build a solid future in a dynamic, high-demand field, providing job stability all along the way.
Take a look around this site to learn more about apprenticeships in the construction trades.
