Apprenticeships Could be the Key to Better Workers and an Improved Bottom Line

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter.

New York State Department of Labor announces a recruitment drive set to take place in August.

As workforces age, a stream of educated and skilled workers is necessary to maintain business productivity and improve the bottom line. By investing in talent development through apprenticeships, employers gain more reliable and skilled workers in larger quantities.

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local Union #8 are conducting an apprentice recruitment drive from August 12th through August 21st to do just that. The New York State Department of Labor made this announcement on July 10th, stating that all applications for the apprenticeships must be completed and submitted online starting at 8:00 a.m. on August 12th through 11:59 p.m. on August 21. 

Apprenticeships pair on-the-job training with classroom-style instruction. This makes them exceptionally worthwhile for both the person in the apprenticeship and the employers outside of it. Apprenticeships create versatile, educated employees that can hit the workforce running.

In most cases, apprentices earn less than fully trained employees during their apprenticeship. This allows businesses to compensate for some of the costs that come with offering an apprenticeship program. However, having the ability to train workers to meet specific standards saves so much time and money in the long run, that the cost of an apprenticeship program is worth it for many employers.

Many companies realize the benefits of a specialized workforce quickly after it is set in place. Being able to mold the skills of young people just entering the workforce could be more valuable than employers may realize. Another benefit is that retention rates among people who got their job through apprenticeships are much higher than the alternative population. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor records that 91% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship are still employed with the same company nine months later.

Training and developing skilled labor through an apprenticeship is a time-tested and worthwhile approach to boosting business. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Labor administers registered apprenticeships through a comprehensive system. First, companies register their apprenticeship program with the Office of Apprenticeship, then the government issues a nationally recognized certificate to workers who complete the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship programs can also operate independently as is the case with Tremco Roofing’s WTI RISE Program (Roofing Individuals Succeed through Education). They partnered with SkillsUSA, a partnership of students, teachers and industry leaders working together to bring about a more skilled workforce in America. Tremco is SkillsUSA’s only corporate roofing partner and is currently introducing thousands of young people to the exciting and rewarding careers available in roofing.

“We’re facing a crisis today with six million skilled trade jobs – six out of 10 – vacant due to a lack of trained workers,” said Mardee Billingsley, Executive Vice President at Tremco. “The RISE Program includes an accredited Apprenticeship program, as well as the opportunity for employees to pursue a degree in Construction Management – both offered at no cost to employees.”

Contractors, employers and business owners alike cannot rely solely on hiring talent as it comes. Apprenticeships are an effective approach to building talent and supplying a company or business with plenty of highly effective employees.

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