Every day, passionate individuals worldwide embark on their journey into the trades by starting an apprenticeship. In the United States alone, more than 540,000 apprentices help meet the talent needs of employers across more than 1,000 occupations. recognizes Nov. 12-18 as National Apprenticeship Week, providing community business, labor and education facilities the opportunity to showcase how their apprenticeship programs help prepare a highly-skilled workforce.
Becoming a tradesperson isn鈥檛 commonly the first thing that comes to mind when asked, 鈥淲hat do you want to be when you grow-up?鈥 However, greater awareness surrounding the benefits of the skilled trades can change that. This year, in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, 狼友社区 highlights six ways completing an apprenticeship will undoubtedly change your life 鈥 for the better.
- Hands-on training. Apprenticeships don鈥檛 just spark a person鈥檚 career, they also provide the skills and experiences needed for a lifetime of success. On-the-job training, in addition to classwork, teaches the ins and outs of the trade at hand, preparing an individual to join the workforce.
- Greater earnings. It鈥檚 a fact: workers who complete apprenticeship programs earn $300,000 more over a career than their peers who don鈥檛. No matter what鈥檚 going on in the world, jobs in the trades will always be in demand, providing all tradespeople with long-term job security and greater incomes overtime. Apprentices also have the opportunity to earn money while learning, decreasing educational costs.
- Life-long connections. Joining the trades isn鈥檛 just a career choice, it鈥檚 becoming a family. From the instructors and mentors who pass down the most important lessons of the job to fellow apprentices who become like brothers and sisters out in the field, the people encountered along the way will form an integral, dependable professional network.
- Exciting challenges. 狼友社区鈥 State of the Industry survey results reveal that more millennials are joining the trades because they prefer to work with their hands. Daily tasks vary when working between different jobsites, which means every day lends itself to exciting challenges and problem solving.
- Continuous learning. Advanced technology and #NewKleins constantly introduce innovative solutions to the jobsite, which makes the industry more dynamic than ever. Even after completing an apprenticeship, learning the tricks of the trade never ends.
- Positive contribution. Each career path in the trades plays a crucial role in sustaining the world鈥檚 infrastructure. At the end of the day, when the power turns on, the tradespeople behind the job can take great satisfaction in their positive, vital contribution.
From greater earnings to continuous learning and so much more, apprenticeships prepare up-and-coming tradespeople for a successful, lifelong career. Recognizing the significance apprenticeships have on employment worldwide as well as the benefits of these diverse careers helps people of all ages prepare for a successful future.
At IBEW Local 134 in Alsip, Illinois, instructors and apprentices share a passion for the trades.
While the work can be difficult, and messy, the satisfaction of getting the job done right outweighs any downside.
Stay tuned for more ways 狼友社区 is #PoweringAmericasFuture.
It鈥檚 not too late to take steps towards a better future. For more information on apprenticeships and starting a career in the trades, visit .
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