Throughout the United States, Insulator Local Unions celebrated National Apprenticeship week through a variety of events and activities highlighting the value apprenticeship programs can provide the mechanical insulation industry.
Taking place during the second week of November, the Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week provided an excellent way to recognize the benefits of apprenticeship, including how an apprenticeship can help Americans on the path toward solid, satisfying careers.
This annual week provides an avenue for businesses, educators and others who play a vital role to the success of apprenticeships to express their ongoing support for these training opportunities. The week also provides apprenticeship sponsors, like our Local JATCs, the opportunity to showcase their programs and facilities to potential recruits.
Many of our Local JATCs celebrated National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with a variety of activities. Here are some of the highlights:
Local 6 Boston
Local 6 was involved in several high school career fairs across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. JATC Training Coordinator Rick Rothwell set up a booth to attract young men and women to train as Mechanical Insulators. In Massachusetts, all of the Boston Building Trades were on display to attract the next generation of union construction workers. The Local 6 JATC also hosted a scissor lift training class for Local 6 members during NAW.
Local 14 Philadelphia
Local 14 put their Training Center on display as they hosted facility tours and tried to recruit high school students in attendance. Local 14 Training Coordinator John Stahl invited current apprentices to speak to their education, current wage and benefits to showcase the trade.
Local 17 Chicago
Local 17 attended a career fair for over 1,000 high school students in Northwest Indiana. Local 17 JATC, led by Training Coordinator Bob McGuckin, had a stand-out display for recruitment, including a popular demonstration where attendees can make-and-take can koozies, along with several other display items including a hot box to show the work of insulation and a few metal and rubber covered pipes. Current Local 17 apprentices were in attendance to help the students make the koozies and provide first-hand experience to the quality career they have chosen.
Local 24 Baltimore/Washington DC
Local 24 celebrated the 2017 U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week with Governor Larry Hogan. Local 24 Training Coordinator and President Brian Cavey received the NAW Proclamation from the State of Maryland Brandon Butler Department of Labor. Local 24 also visited Glen Burnie High School for several Career Days where Cavey was able to engage high school students on the benefits of joining the Insulators Union.
Local 41 Fort Wayne
Local 41 partnered with its local community college affiliate, Ivy Tech, to successfully execute a hands-on job fair. The job fair, open to high school students, college students, and the public, had a great turnout. With a full staff on hand from the Local 41, the Insulators were represented by JATC Training Coordinator Chris Stinson, Business Manager Josh Meehan and Rep. Kevin Anspach. The career fair also had support from the Department of Labor, with Representative Kathy Sokolowski in attendance.
Local 86 Nashville
Local 86 participated a career fair that was attended by all of the schools in the Metro Nashville Public School System. The ninth annual Career Exploration Fair, My Future My Way, provides an avenue for high school freshmen in Nashville schools to explore a breadth of career areas. Exposing thousands of students to a career as a Mechanical Insulator, Local 86 Training Coordinator Shane Hammock was on hand to recruit new members.
More information about the Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week can be found at www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/NAW.