Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Movement Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Today marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week, and the labor movement is celebrating the drive and success of thousands of union apprentices across the country. Apprenticeships offer workers the chance to earn while they learn, opening doors to the middle class as an alternative to traditional higher education. Click here to watch a new video from the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) about the value of union apprenticeships.

“Our robust labor-management commitment to and private multi-billion dollar investment in craft training ensure workers of all backgrounds, including veterans, women and minority communities, can meet the demands of our competitive industry,” said Sean McGarvey (IUPAT), president of North America’s Building Trades Unions. “Every year, tens of thousands of the most highly-skilled construction workers complete our state-of-the-art Registered Apprenticeship programs not only meeting the demands of industry, but also fully equipped with portable skills for rewarding middle-class careers.”