Men and women of all races should “Join the Trades.”That is the message of the newest video released by the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council.Released in April, the video raises awareness about high-demand job opportunities within the Building Trades and the rewarding careers they offer.Area journeymen and apprentices discuss the apprentice programs and the ability to earn while you learn.Individuals accepted into unions affiliated with the Cleveland Building Trades earn a living wage and receive great benefits while working on the jobsite as apprentices, learning their particular trade. In addition to learning on the jobsite, apprentices also obtain classroom instruction furthering their trade-specific education and safety.By choosing the earn while you learn method, our apprentices have the potential to make more money as a first-year journeyman than many first-year college graduates with a bachelor’s degree.Currently, many of the area’s unions are looking to increase their membership by adding more apprentices.Membership in the trades varies by the union. Generally speaking, a person needs to be at least 18-years-old, have either a high school diploma or G.E.D., be able to pass a drug test and have reliable transportation. To find out specific requirements, go to the Cleveland Building Trade Training Center page and find the specific trade you are interested in joining.