Despite climbing unemployment rates, some trades still face worker shortages, one of them being welding. As others have done in the past, this industry is turning to Native Americans to increase its pool.
As reported by Industry Week on Nov. 1, the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, a trade union, has joined forces with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to recruit and train Native Americans. Together, they created a fast-track, 16-week apprenticeship welder program to move more into the field quickly. Late this summer, 19 Natives had enrolled in the program, which is being run by Local 597, the union’s Chicago-area chapter. The program is expected to expand, with one already in the works for the Phoenix area.
More programs like this one should be implimented. I am happy to read this.
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