What is an apprenticeship?

Jennifer Tijerina, Gulf Coast AFL-CIO: An apprenticeship is a work-based learning program where students gain hands-on experience while working and earning livable wages. The model combines on-the-job training under a mentor during the day and instruction at night or on weekends, depending on your program. Students can build valuable technical skills without incurring student debt.

What is the difference between an apprenticeship and a non-union apprenticeship?

Union apprenticeship programs are registered or accredited with the Department of Labor. By being a part of the union, you’ll earn benefits you may not have had without the union.

For one thing, a pension isn't something that's common anymore, but union jobs still have pensions, 401Ks (depending on your benefits), and comprehensive, quality healthcare. In a union, employees get the right and power to negotiate wage increases, benefits, schedules, safety protections, and more with employers as a group.

You also get the benefits of real mentorship. You get paired with a mentor while you're working during the day, and at night you have your instructor. With this, you get hands-on learning, instruction, and camaraderie with being in a union.

Can you walk me through the steps of applying for the Apprenticeship Advantage program?

We have 11 different apprenticeship programs participating in the program we coordinate, ranging from 2 to five years, so I would recommend visiting our Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO website, where all of the programs involved in this grant are listed, to see which one fits your needs or interests.

You'll have to submit an application for these programs in person. If you're selected, you’ll do a combination of testing and interviews that differs by program. Each program has its own vetting process. Several programs require that you have a skillset in math because you’ll be doing a lot of applied math on your own when you're constructing a building, an elevator, doing pipe fitting, etc.

If you're selected, you begin your apprenticeship program. It's important to note here that for our programs, the number of students that are taken depends on the amount of work union contractors have because our goal is to place you in a job the entire time you are training and when you graduate.

Can you tell me a little bit about how the apprenticeship program came to be from the side of the AFL-CIO?

Our apprenticeship programs have existed for decades here in Houston and nationally, but the Apprenticeship Advantage program emerged through a strategic partnership between the Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO, our affiliated unions, employers, and of course Harris County.

We aim to expand workforce opportunities and tackle labor shortages in key sectors like building construction, public transportation, and live entertainment. These initiatives align with the Texas Gulf Coast AFL-CIO’s mission to provide meaningful, equitable career pathways by focusing on underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, and youth.

Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, Harris County received millions of dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds to combat the economic fallout from covid. The County selected us to be a workforce development subrecipient and provided us $9.1 million dollars to expand apprenticeship opportunities – the largest amount any local government has ever invested in union apprenticeship programs, so far as we know.

Can you tell me what a day would look like as an apprentice in the program?

I'm going to use an elevator apprentice, as I have the most experience knowing what they do. Their day typically starts at 6:00 a.m. They may work four 10s, which is 10 hours, four days a week, and they get Fridays off. They will work from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and      have classes twice a week. From work, they go straight to their training school, and they’re there for a couple of hours. Then you do it all again the next day!

Of course it differs from apprenticeship to apprenticeship, but how long would you say these apprenticeships usually last?

They typically last two to five years.

What comes after the apprenticeship as part of the program?

When you graduate from an apprenticeship program, you’ll have journey person status. Journey people receive the highest wages. As an apprentice, every year your wage increases per the negotiated agreement that your local union negotiates with                management, and depending on your union, your benefits also increase, your pension increases. Once you become a journey worker each year you also advance and your leadership opportunities open up. If you want to volunteer or sit on your executive board, all those things open up, and you can also earn different advanced certifications.

Is there anything that you want to add to that?

Yes. The catchphrase everyone likes to use is “earn while you learn.” But to me, after working in this program for a year and a half, it just doesn't fully encompass everything you get from being in a union apprenticeship program. You just get so much more. In addition to camaraderie, you get a new community, and you also get to be a part of the bigger labor movement. It’s more than your next gig, it’s your future career. 

Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you want to make sure to share?

We are very grateful to be able to have these federal funds to enhance our existing apprenticeship programs. The programs would still be going on whether we had these funds or not, but because we do have these funds, we have been able to take all of the programs to that next level by increase the level of advanced training, and it's really exciting to see that change.

For more information or to apply, visit Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity’s website.