Apprenticeship POV
We put Go-Pro cameras on the hard hats of apprentices to see what their day is like at an apprenticeship training center. (OK, training doesn't typically include slow motion and music, but these videos give a good idea of the skills learned and classes offered at the training centers.)
Crane Training
Welding
All Kinds of Painting
Mudding Class
More Welding!
Forklift Training
Window Framing
Silt Fence Install
Clearing the Drill Bit
Pipe on Timbers
Concrete Drilling
Post Work
Drilling
Stacking Timbers
Ask an Apprentice
The best part of Construct Tomorrow Student Events are when high school students get a chance to talk to apprentices - young people not much older than the students - and ask practical, real world questions about their apprenticeship. COVID-19 prevents those interactions from taking place face-to-face, but we recreated some of those question and answer interactions here.
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What is Your Day Like at
the Training Center?
"A majority of my training has been hands-on learning. Making mistakes -- and this is the place to make those because you have the training and the people around to show you how to do it correctly."
Why did you Pick the
Apprenticeship you Picked?
"For one the money's great. It's a fun job. I get to be outside. There's always something new to do."
What did you do in High School to Prepare for
Your Apprenticeship?
"Aside from working with your hands, basic math Truly and honestly, basic math is a critical skill to have especially mental math...quick on the spot and being able to read a tape measure"
What's the Best Thing About
Your Apprenticeship?
"The best part about my apprenticeship is being able to develop the skills that I have while being paid. And not having to pay in order to go to school."
Why Not Just go
to College?
"...I actually knew when I was still in high school that regular four year college was not for me. I've never been school motivated...but I know I'm a hard worker and I know I can learn the things I need to know for my job working hands on..."
What is Your Day Like on
the Jobsite?
"Get there a half hour early. It's always best to be early. Time to stretch, time to figure out what's going on at that job site...meet up with your boss, have a little tool-box talk figuring out what we've got in the plans for the day and what we've gotta accomplish."
How Long are
Apprenticeship Programs?
"Apprenticeship programs - like schooling - can be done as fast as you want to get it done. How hard do you want to work?
Do Women go into
Construction Apprenticeships?
"...I was nervous because I felt like I was going to be judged as being a woman that they'd feel I wouldn't be a hard enough worker. But I'm here. I'm doing it.
I'm doing awesome."
What Don't You Like About
Your Apprenticeship?
"...In the beginning coming to class and training. I didn't like that idea because I didn't do good in school. But when I got here....there's very positive interactions here. The staff is very uplifting."
What is
an Apprenticeship?
"...An apprenticeship is you learning under somebody that knows more than you but you're getting paid for it. You get to learn how to do things the right way from people who...have decades of experience."
How Much Do
You Make?
"...I'd say I do very well...it's the best kind of money you'll make without having to put yourself into debt."
Videos
The creativity and passion of local Apprenticeship Training Centers, our trades partners, and apprenticeship advocates is obvious in the outstanding videos they have produced. Here's just a sample. Be sure to let us know if you find a really good one that we've missed that should be included here!
Brick, Block & Marble Masons
courtesy of BAC Training Center MN/ND
What a career in the brick and block industry looks like!
Did You See That?
courtesy of Twin Ports Electrical Apprenticeship and Training
...It takes smart people to build smart buildings. Just sayin'.
Operating Engineers
Local 49
courtesy of Local 49 Training Center
...They teach you the skills you need to know to run the equipment the proper way.
Dionte H.
courtesy of Apprenticeship Minnesota
...I told my mother I was going to do an apprenticeship program and she jumped for joy. She knew what I was going to be. She said I know you can do it. I'm ready for you to stick it out.
Registered Apprenticeship: Your Path to a Meaningful Career
courtesy of Apprenticeship Minnesota
...I love this job. There's knowledge that goes into your head, but there's also knowledge that goes into your hands.
BTCU Salutes Iron Workers Local 512
courtesy of Iron Workers 512
...We build history. This stuff is going to be around here for a long time. It's going to outlive me for darn sure. This is how we mark our mark in time.
Careers in Insulation
courtesy of Twin Cities Area Heat & Frost Insulators Training Center
...A guy comes in, kind of clumsy with his tools, and then we see him flourish throughout the four years because that's what they're supposed to do...But the person has to want to do better.
Choose a Construction Career through Registered Apprenticeship
courtesy of Apprenticeship Minnesota
...I really wish I would have started this right out of high school. If I would have known about it this is exactly what I would have done.