Construction is the largest single industry in the United States. It is an industry that will require a larger and more sophisticated work force. Predictions are that the numbers of women and minorities in the skilled trades will rise dramatically as the current workforce retires. One of construction’s greatest challenges will be competing with other industries for a limited supply of qualified workers.

Every structure in a community is put in place through the process of construction. Each structure is a result of teamwork between builders (contractors) and their work crews (skilled craftspeople). The quality and longevity of a structure depends on the skills of the craftspeople, the quality of the building materials, and the expertise of the contractor.

In order to assure that construction meets quality standards, training programs were developed to teach building skills. This educational movement led to the apprenticeship programs and specialty training that exists today.

First year apprentice wages and benefits. Read More>