The series from Contractor magazine
On television, “The Apprentice” is a stepping stone to a career and wealth in Donald Trump’s real estate development firm.
In real life, apprenticeships are also stepping stones to career and wealth in the plumbing.
Name:
Brian Whitehead
Age: 19
Job:
Plumbing apprentice, second year
Sponsor:
Atomic Plumbing
Aug 2005 |
What attracted Brian to a career in plumbing? “My family has a background in working with their hands and I knew I was good working with my hands,” Whitehead said, explaining his introduction to the trades. “I didn’t know anything about plumbing, but my high school offered vocational training, so I took it ” |
Sept 2005 |
A day in the life of a first-year plumbing apprentice is split between on the job training and classroom work during the four-year program. Whitehead is in school two evenings a week from September to May, and on the job for 40 and 55 hours a week. |
Jan 2006 |
Who pays? The financial commitment for apprentices and contractors. Trained labor is desperately needed yet contracting firms find it hard to take on apprentices, because they are stretched thin just trying to meet demand.>> Go |
Feb 2006 |
How to match interest with training. Matching candidates with the best programs. Everyone knows that plumbers make a lot of money, but it's an uphill battle with educators and parents to get them to see the short-term and long-term earning potential of construction trades. Read more >> Go |
March 2006 |
What the industry can do to support apprenticeship training. The plumbing industry needs all hands on deck—contractors, wholesalers and manufacturers—to combat a critical shortage of skilled labor. Read more >> Go |
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