Cleveland apprenticeship fair relocates to larger venue

Last year's March (pictured above) and October Cleveland Building Trades apprenticeship career fairs drew more than 400 people each. As a result of record-setting attendance, the March 26 event will take place at a larger venue - the Holiday Inn-Cleveland in Independence. 

The Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council’s annual apprenticeship career fair has moved to a new location to accommodate a larger crowd.

For the past few years, the even was held at the Pipefitters Local 120 Union Hall in Valley View. This year’s event will take place on March 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Cleveland South, 6001 Rockside Road in Independence.

Anyone interested in learning more about career opportunities and how Registered Apprenticeship Programs work is invited. Women, Cleveland residents and people of color are encouraged to attend.

The event needed a larger venue due to the large number of people expected to attend this year, according to Doreen Cannon, Greater Cleveland Council of Tradeswomen President.

“The Pipefitters have the biggest Union Hall in the area,” she said. “At our last fair in October, we had 390 potential apprentices show up and that did not count the parents in attendance.

“We outgrew (the space), As this event continues to grow, we could have upwards of 500 people in attendance,” she added. “I wish a Union Hall was big enough to hold it.”

First held in 2017, the Cleveland Building Trades Apprenticeship Career Fair has gained momentum over the years. While there was a setback due to the pandemic, Cannon noted that attendance has increased for the annual events, which take place in March and October.

The apprenticeship fair is a great opportunity for high school students, college students or anyone considering a new career to learn about the great opportunities offered through Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Building trades Registered Apprenticeship Programs provide an excellent alternative to college, as they offer men and women a direct path to a middle-class lifestyle.

The “Earn while you Learn” apprenticeship model incorporates classroom instruction and hands-on, on-the-job training with journeymen. This is in addition to good wages, excellent healthcare and retirement benefits, plus scheduled raises as a person improves their skillset.

Apprenticeships also allow men and women the ability to develop and hone their skills, while learning how to safely and efficiently perform their duties. They earn industry-leading OSHA certifications to help keep them safe on the jobsite and work under the protections of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Compared to most first-year college graduates, first-year journeymen will usually earn a higher hourly rate, have better health insurance, have begun to save for their retirement and are not burdened with student loan debt that for some individuals, can easily reach six figures.

“Going to school with no debt and earning college credit is one of the biggest selling points for potential apprentices,” said Cannon. “The good wages and ability to earn while training makes a difference too in helping these individuals choose a career in the building trades.”

At a time when there is a need in most trades for apprentices, the apprenticeship career fair provides individuals the opportunity to speak with representatives from the different trades and ask any questions about the work or apprenticeship program.

For people who enjoy new daily challenges and like to work with their hands, building trades Registered Apprenticeship Programs offer an excellent career opportunity – especially for those who do not want to spend their days behind a desk.

“We need a new generation,” Cannon said. “All the Baby Boomers will soon be retired, and there is plenty of work.”

In the Greater Cleveland area, there are billions of dollars worth of projects in the next few years that will require skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen to build them.

From major sports facilities to medical buildings, schools, major developments and more, it is a good time to be an apprentice.

Besides working with the tools, there are other career opportunities for union construction workers such as foreman, estimator or purchaser to a general superintendent or even owning your own business.

The event also provides attendees with the ability to learn more about the apprenticeship application process for each individual Local Union.

The career fair is made possible by a partnership between the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Ohio, Cleveland Builds and the Greater Cleveland Council of Tradeswomen.

If you go:

What: Cleveland Building Trades Apprenticeship Career Fair

When: March 26, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn-Cleveland South, 6001 Rockside Road in Independence

What: Representatives from the following area building trades unions will be on hand to discuss career opportunities available to men and women, regardless of race or ethnicity, in the union construction industry:
· Boilermakers
· Bricklayers
· Carpenters
· Cement Masons
· Electrical Workers
· Glaziers
· Insulators
· Ironworkers
· Laborers
· Operating Engineers
· Painters/Drywall Finishers
· Pipefitters/HVAC-R/Sprinklerfitters
· Plumbers
· Roofers and Waterproofers
· Sheet Metal Workers