Access and Entry

How do the building trades compete for quality entry-level workers to enter construction careers? The generation entering the workforce now is 40% smaller by population than in previous generations, and the traditional means of passing a trade 'father to son' is no longer working.

Union apprenticeship programs still have no lack of applicants, but there is great concern with the quality of applicants - the 'skills gap' in Rhode Island's workforce.

To address these problems, Building Futures has established significant shifts in access and entry into quality apprenticeship programs through our partnership with the members of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council.

Information

In the past, there has been no central location for motivated young adults to learn of all the exciting career paths in the building trades - especially for non-traditional workers, such as women and minorities. Building Futures creates an information "clearinghouse" regarding building trades apprenticeships, with all of the specifics gathered directly from the various programs.

With presentations to community-based organizations, speaking engagements and targeted outreach for the recruitment of non-traditional workers, Building Futures disseminates comprehensive information in a coordinated manner - becoming a resource for the recruitment of a diverse workforce, while addressing the 'image problem' of the excellent careers the building trades offer.

Developing Common Standards

One of our first planning activities when designing our pre-apprenticeship program was interviewing key apprenticeship coordinators, to determine the qualities and skills they sought in their applicants. By doing so, a baseline of common entry standards was established across the building trades, which in turn guided the graduation requirements of our pre-apprenticeship program.

Through this shared development with the union apprenticeship programs, our pre-apprenticeship program has become a valuable resource for them - providing a vetted, prepared and pre-screened entry-level applicant. Now, union apprenticeship programs often ask their 'applicants off the street' to go through Building Futures prior to applying for an apprenticeship position.

Entry into Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship programs generally have a pre-determined application period - the time in which they can accept applications –as set forth in the Department of Labor standards that regulate their programs. Often, these regulations can curtail an apprenticeship program's efforts to create a diverse workforce.

Building Futures has developed and implemented a "Direct Entry" agreement with the members of the RI. Building and Construction Trades Council in order to address this. This agreement allows for non-traditional applicants from Building Futures to enter apprenticeship programs regardless of the application period being open - as long as they meet entry requirements otherwise.

Crafted in conjunction with the Federal Office of Apprenticeship, the State Apprenticeship Council and the respective members of the RI. Building and Construction Trades Council, this agreement represents a significant shift in practices to benefit minorities and women seeking building trade careers.

In Summary

There are many misperceptions about the building trades' careers in commercial construction. In order to ensure this vital sector of our Rhode Island's economy thrives, Building Futures helps to dispel many of the myths around the industry and increase the draw of talent to the workforce by being a resource of information.

We work to increase awareness and access for people of color and women while establishing explicit pathways for entry into formal apprenticeship programs.

“Today, it is more difficult than ever to recruit new [quality] entrants into the field because the status of construction jobs is diminishing. ‘Everybody thinks that construction is the armpit of jobs’, one Florida union official told a Wall Street Journal reporter, ‘No parent wants their kid to be a construction worker.’ A 2000 Clemson University survey of 1,800 construction craft workers revealed that 70% did not want their children to take up their career path.”

[Mark Erlich and Jeff Grabelsky, Standing at a Crossroads: The Building Trades in the 21^st Century.]

Q: Why is Building Futures so important to the unions and the construction industry?

“A: First of all, the training provided by the trade organizations is a real investment and it’s what separates us from the others. It’s why we have the stability and structure that we do. Building Futures helps candidates remove some of life’s extenuating obstacles – such as child care, transportation, etc. – that can hinder an apprenticeship.

Second, the majority of our unions started in the urban areas. Building Futures is a way of getting back to our roots by recruiting from the urban centers.

Third, it’s a way of helping the labor movement grow into the 21st century by increasing the number of minorities in the industry. This will help us meet the future employment demands of employers and developers. All the labor reports show a growing need for skilled laborers. Many in the current workforce are nearing retirement.”

[Michael Sabitoni, President, RI Building & Construction Trades Council and Building Futures Advisory Council]