As efforts to solve the labor shortage in construction progress, business leaders around the country have increased opportunities to get involved in regional programs. For example, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is offering pre-apprenticeship programs to interest a new wave of workers in building.
Stable, Middle Class Careers
That’s the goal for young people seeking alternatives to college—-and for adult workers seeking new paths. Recognizing that contractors need a “skilled, prepared workforce ready to meet industry demands,” the IUPAT’s pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to offer a win-win:
Graduates of pre-apprenticeship programs enter their apprenticeships with foundational skills, certifications, and experience. This reduces the time and resources contractors must invest in training Those who do complete a pre-apprenticeship are more likely to finish their apprenticeships successfully, translating to a more reliable, committed workforce for contractors. As the IUPAT continues to partner with schools and community organizations, contractors can tap into a steady pipeline of motivated, skilled workers. Programs like IUPAT’s veterans program expand outreach efforts and diversify the talent pool. A workforce that starts with practical skills and industry knowledge is more efficient, productive, and ultimately more profitable for contractors.
The IUPAT tailors programs to specific needs and opportunities in regions across the country. For example, the IUPAT Veterans Program at District Council 5 (covering Washington, Alaska, Northern Idaho, Oregon, and Utah) recently graduated several veterans from an advanced three-week pre-apprenticeship program, in which they “learned the basics of commercial and industrial painting, and earned certifications for CPR/First Aid, OSHA 10, and Confined Space Entry”–giving them a significant head start into full apprenticeships. Generally, the pre-apprentice programs offered by the IUPAT fall into two types, Career Exploration and Trade Specific:
The Career Exploration Pathway provides exposure to various trades, allowing participants – often high school students – to explore different specialties like painting and glazing while gaining essential cross-trades skills, such as health and safety training. Participants can also work towards earning a GED or receive other non-trade-specific education, like improving language fluency. These foundational skills prepare individuals for success in registered apprenticeship programs.
The Trade-Specific Pathway is more focused on preparing participants for direct entry into a specific trade’s registered apprenticeship program. For instance, IUPAT District Council 51 (serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas) and District Council 35 (serving Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont) offer programs specifically tailored to the glazing trade. Participants gain hands-on experience and earn credits toward their apprenticeships, much like college students receiving credit for relevant coursework.
Thinking Big
Investment in recruiting, onboarding and training the next wave of skilled workers is an important strategy for not just addressing the labor pains of the moment, but creating new possibilities for the future too. The IUPAT is thinking big about the spiral effect of its tiers of programming:
As technology advances and construction projects become more complex, the need for highly skilled tradespeople is growing. Registered apprenticeship programs address this demand by preparing workers for the challenges of modern construction. …. Pre-apprenticeship programs are continuing to transform the construction industry by creating a workforce that is skilled, experienced, and ready to meet the demands of tomorrow. For contractors, this means access to a labor pool that is not only better prepared but also more likely to succeed long-term. As the industry evolves, programs like those offered by IUPAT will play a critical role in ensuring contractors have the skilled workers they need to thrive. By investing in these programs, contractors are not only building a workforce for today, but also securing a future for the construction industry.
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