PROJECT FIRST RATE LAUNCHES FINDYOURTRADE.ORG
Nonprofit labor-management organization releases the website to inform students and the community and promote careers in union trades and registered apprenticeship programs.
Rockford, IL: Project First Rate has released FindYourTrade.org as a new online resource for students and others interested in careers in the union construction industry. The website offers descriptions of 17 skilled trades and other resources related to apprenticeship programs.
“Our region is an excellent place to build a career in the union construction industry,” said Project First Rate executive director Paul Nolley. “The men and women of our local trades are educated in world-class training centers and go through years of classroom and on-the-job training. They are the best in the industry and earn fair wages and benefits that you can raise a family on.”
As of 2020, student loan debt amounted to a whopping $1.6 trillion. The impacts and prospects of debt are causing many to seek alternatives to college and universities. Joint labor-management apprenticeship programs are tuition-free and, on average, require 27% more hours of training than four-year university programs, according to a 2020 study. These high-quality apprenticeship programs are overseen by both labor and management and receive constant investments and improvements to keep up with state-of-the-art training and technology.
FindYourTrade.org will help students understand the type of work involved with each trade, how they can apply for apprenticeships, and what resources they can use in preparation for entry into the field. “We want students, particularly those interested alternatives to a four-year degree, to understand the many paths they have to a good living in a real career,” said Nolley.
Project First Rate will regularly update the site to reflect upcoming application dates and requirements, new workforce development programs and services, and other information useful to those interested in trade careers.