SEWCTC Hammers it Home
The Southeast Wisconsin Carpentry Training Center (SEWCTC) held an open house on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the training center in Pewaukee.
According to Joe Weisling, joint apprenticeship training director for SEWCTC, over 500 people attended the event to tour the training facility and learn about career opportunities through the SEWCTC apprenticeship program. Demonstrations by industry groups such as BIG STEP, ACEA, ProLoan and Building Advantage were held throughout the day. Visitors had the opportunity to observe classes in progress while instructors, contractors and professional craftspeople were on hand to present information and answer questions.
The SEWCTC put this event together to help recruit new members into the union carpentry trades. Approximately 350 SEWCTC students were placed in apprenticeships in 2006, a 77 percent increase from 2005. Currently, apprentices graduating each year replace only between 40 percent and 60 percent of those retiring; more than 50 percent of our current craftworkers will retire in the next 15 years, opening up many jobs in the carpentry field.
Mike Kersey, Technical Sales Representative from Lincoln Electric, was on hand at the open house for several different reasons, but one really hit home. Kersey said, “The construction industry needs qualified welders in order to avoid being outsourced. We need to educate the next generation of trades workers by attending these events in order to successfully replace 400,000 welders by 2010.”
Although filling the shoes of those retiring seems insurmountable at times, the determination and efforts of individuals and groups like those present at the SEWCTC open house can help to build a solid future for the union trades. The success of this year's open house is just one of the many ways we can help promote our industry. Congratulations to Joe Weisling and all who helped pull the event together – job well done!
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