Masonry Magazine May 1968 Page. 29
Apprenticeship Money Talks
This is actually taking place at this time. It is a very serious matter for the young man, for the employers, who must pay wages, and the journeymen who must teach the trade. This understanding must never be treated lightly or brushed aside.
The applicant's next concern would be his possibility of acceptance for apprenticeship and what more he should understand before he signs his apprenticeship agreement.
His first question may not be put in this manner but it should be: "If I am accepted for apprenticeship and secure employment, will the journeymen actually teach me their trade?"
The applicant's next question is equally important and perhaps more impressive since it pertains to money. It should go as follows: "will you as employers actually back me with $25,000.00 in wages while I am learning my trade?"
In both instances, the answer is yes, as provided through the apprenticeship agreement.
The applicant may then want to know if there are any other assurances for gaining proficiency in the trade.
The apprenticeship committees can assure him of fair and just treatment at all times. The committees can also emphasize the fact that provisions will be made for classroom and/or home study under competent instructors and that apprentices are required to attend classes and complete these studies.
This beginner is asking for a great deal. Everybody should know that this is a fine opportunity for a young man. This young man cannot be a "delinquent" or a "dropout." The building and construction trades industry needs good men. The industry is making capable young men a good offer and can demand and get the best. Those in the industry cannot build a sound business or be a part of a respectable community with anyone less than the best. The more these facts are made known, the sooner the building and construction trades industry will be blessed with more and better applicants.
FACTORS WHICH DISCOURAGE APPRENTICESHIP
A number of factors discourage well-qualified young men from entering apprenticeship in the building and construction trades:
(1) The attitude of a few school administrators, counselors, and teachers who believe that any position other than professional is second rate.
(2) The attitude of some people who believe that it is unnecessary to use your head if you use your hands.
(3) The attitude that all education is confined to the college campus and that you must have a college degree before you can seek employment anywhere.
(4) The attitude of many adults and students towards hard work and dirty hands, which are still honorable and necessary.
(5) The attitude of a few people towards contractor associations, labor unions and the building and construction trades in general.
(6) The absence of a good public relations program by the building and construction trades industry and the Oregon state apprenticeship council portraying their true contribution to the community.
WITH APPRENTICESHIP THERE IS A PROUD HERITAGE
Apprenticeship is one of the finest opportunities ever offered any youth anywhere. It should be treated as such and granted only to those who are the very best and most worthy. There will be a continued demand for good journeymen who are proud of fine workmanship.
It is a great honor to be selected for apprenticeship. This selection must always be made by those in industry who pay the wages and those journeymen who teach the trade. Anyone has the right to be proud that he was selected as one among many to whom journeymen would pass on their trade and employers would back with $25,000 in wages, while he learned.
It appears to be a great honor to receive a $1,000 scholarship to college. And it is rightfully so that it is, but is this any reason to completely ignore or treat lightly the opportunity for a $25,000 apprenticeship scholarship in any American industry?
In the state of Oregon the annual pay roll of apprentices is $12,000,000.00 and using a standard tax rate, the state receives about $300,000.00 in taxes; the federal government tax is about $1,350,000.00 so this would indicate that apprenticeship is making tax payers from tax consumers, and after completion of apprenticeship, the journeyman will continue to pay taxes in Oregon which makes this program one of the best investment for the tax dollar.
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masonry
May, 1968
29