Students get hands-on experience in building trades during National Apprentice Week

Area students from Whitnall, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Muskego, and Oak Creek high schools engaged in a special trades program on November 13, as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2018 from November 12 to 18.

Sponsored by the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council and the AFL-CIO, National Apprenticeship Week celebrates leaders in business, labor, and education and allows them to demonstrate their support for apprenticeship programs.

“We are committed to making our students and community aware of the multiple career options available and hands-on events are an excellent way for this meaningful career exploration to take place,” said Gary Kiltz, Superintendent of Greendale Schools.

Construction jobs are currently in high demand all across Wisconsin. The hands-on day was designed to help close the skilled labor gap by giving students practical experience, and present them with the career opportunities that are available in the construction industry.

“I am always thankful for opportunities that the Trades are able to provide in schools and talk about the good-paying jobs in the construction industry,” said Dan Bukiewicz, president of the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council. “Students do not have to travel far after high school to find fulfilling careers with upward mobility. College may not be for everybody, and by providing this experience to high school students, we can attract more students to the construction industry.”

The event also offered apprenticeship sponsors the opportunity to showcase their programs and facilities in the community. It highlighted the benefits of training in the field to prepare Milwaukee’s highly-skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of employers across diverse industries.

“There are a lot of projects going on in Milwaukee at the moment, including the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino and The Couture, which will be breaking ground soon. Milwaukee has a booming economy with a lot of opportunity within the construction industry, and the more students seeking a career in construction will help Milwaukee build its future,” added Bukiewicz.