Join us for National Apprenticeship Week–November 8 -14, 2020!

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a celebration by leaders in business, labor, education, and other critical partners nationwide, and an opportunity to demonstrate our support for apprenticeship. NAW also gives apprenticeship sponsors a perfect time to showcase their programs, facilities, and apprentices in their community.

This weeklong event highlights the benefits of apprenticeship in preparing a highly-skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of employers across diverse industries. Registered apprenticeship programs are gateways to good middle-class jobs in the US construction industry. People interested in a career in skilled trades can begin with the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) and pick up the tools and techniques for occupations ranging from plumbing and electrical work to sheet metal and iron work, and do it under the guidance of master craftworkers.

To celebrate NAW, let’s recognize skilled workers like Abigail Leighton, who left an unfulfilling job in food service and discovered she likes to work with her hands. Abigail completed a MC3 class in July and today is an electrical apprentice working for a construction contractor in downtown Austin. Desmond Roberson is another local MC3 grad who is now a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 67. Desmond overcame personal setbacks to launch a career in the skilled trades and join what he calls a brotherhood of skilled workers.

On November 12, join us for the Trade Up Texas Virtual Fair from 10 am to 4 pm! Central Texas students and job seekers will explore skilled-trade careers. Hosted by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area. Our thanks to our partners Texas Mutual Insurance Company, KVUE, the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 286. Trade Up Texas is sponsored by Texas Mutual Insurance Company.

If you’re interested in participating in NAW, then visit the Department of Labor website to find a NAW event near you. Job seekers can connect with employers investing in their workforce through apprenticeship at Apprenticeship.gov. Do you have something planned for celebrating NAW? Tell us about it in a comment below!