Apprenticeship fairs held in Cleveland, Akron
Fresh off Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s Project Labor Agreement Executive Order, the need is even greater for apprentices in nearly all affiliated Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Local Unions.
To introduce more men and women in Northeast Ohio to careers in the union construction industry, the Cleveland Building Trades hosted a career fair on Oct. 16, at the Pipefitters Local 120 Hall, located at 6305 Halle Drive in Cleveland from 6 to 7:30 p.m. More than 350 attended.
Representatives from most trades were on hand to discuss their apprenticeship programs and the application process.
A similar two-day event for both students and the general public in the Akron-Canton area was held on Oct. 16-17.
Both events offered a great opportunity for high school students, college students or anyone thinking about beginning a new career to learn about registered apprenticeship programs and how they lead to successful careers.
Building trades registered apprenticeship programs provide an excellent alternative to college, as they offer men and women a direct path to live a middle-class lifestyle by letting them earn while they learn.
Individuals who enjoy new daily challenges and like to work with their hands are good apprenticeship candidates – especially those who desire to work outside.
Most first-year journeymen earn a higher hourly rate than first-year college graduates and are not burdened with student loan debt.
In the Cleveland area, some of the current marquee projects under construction include the Sherwin-Williams headquarters in downtown Cleveland, the Sherwin-Williams R & D Center in Brecksville, three Cleveland Clinic facilities on main campus, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum expansion, Cleveland Police Headquarters and Phase II renovation work on Progressive Field (following completion of the baseball season).
This is in addition to the forthcoming work generated by Mayor Bibb’s PLA Executive Order.
Trades Expo in Akron
The Akron Canton Builds Skilled Trades Expo was held on Oct. 16-17 at the Summit County Fairgrounds, 229 E. Howe Road in Tallmadge.
The East Central Ohio and Tri-County Building Trades Councils were proud sponsors of this event, along with their affiliated unions, signatory contractors and other vendors.
Students in grades 9-12 were invited to attend both days from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Last year over 1,000 students attended the event from 30 schools.
This expo was open to the public with a focus on adults seeking career opportunities.