Weighing options for your next career move? Opportunities for getting your foot in the door today stretch far beyond obtaining traditional two- and four-year university educations, which can be an excellent option for some, but are not always the solution for everyone. If you’re searching for ways to earn a paycheck while also gaining an education, an apprenticeship program may be the perfect fit for you.
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, and at Custom Aire we strongly believe in the opportunity for success these exceptional programs offer apprentices. Read on to learn more about the current state of the skilled trades industry, opportunities for career advancement, and how the apprenticeship experience may be just what you’re looking for.
Workforce Climate
Currently, the skilled trades industry is experiencing a workforce shortage that is hindering the success of our economic future. As baby boomers begin to retire in record numbers and the number of qualified applicants continues to drop, these occupations are seeing an extremely high rate of vacancies. It is estimated that in the next decade over two million skill-related jobs will be left unfilled.
Attempts to resolve this problematic workforce gap include the $200 million government plan for utilizing apprenticeships to lower unemployment and many American CEOs working on emphasizing skills in K-12 programs, pushing for apprenticeships, offering mentoring or in-house instruction, and funding employee educational courses. While there is still much work to be done, these positives are helping the skilled trades gap move in the right direction.
Apprenticeships in the Construction Industry
Spanning over 1,000 occupations, there are currently more than 545,000 apprentices nationwide, but the US is hoping to greatly increase this number to upwards of five million apprentices in the next five years. Apprenticeships are an excellent career option, combining on-the-job training and an in-house curriculum to give participants a well-rounded education for specialized-skills jobs. This allows apprentices to earn money while they are getting experience and gaining an education. A hands-on option such as this, where a paycheck is available from day one, can be a much more feasible solution when weighing your next move after high school or career advancement opportunities.
At Custom Aire, our in-house Sheet Metal Apprenticeship program is certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). It is a nationally-recognized, standardized curriculum taught by a great team of highly-skilled and experienced certified professionals. At the end of the program, apprentices are awarded a United States Department of Labor Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship.
We strongly believe in investing in our employees and the development of their professional skills, and providing them with career advancement opportunities to build a stronger team, and in turn a stronger community and national economy.
Talk to our team at Custom Aire today to learn more about our Sheet Metal Apprenticeship program and how it may be the perfect opportunity for you to earn money while you learn a valuable skill.
