Apprenticeship Study Findings.pdf

16 interviews with apprenticeship coordinators, 1 interview with pre-apprenticeship program staff, and 3 focus groups with 26 workers were conducted. Interviews and focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes.

Key Findings:

1. Recruitment of Apprentices: Apprenticeship coordinators use various approaches, but referrals and word of mouth are most successful. Pre-apprenticeship programs and referrals from current tradespeople are effective in recruiting diverse apprentices.
2. Challenges of Apprentices: Physical demands, construction culture, and negative attitudes towards diverse workers pose significant challenges. Apprentices face financial challenges, harassment, and isolation on the job site.
3. Challenges of Journeyworkers: Meeting market demands for journeyworkers is challenging due to the 3-5 year apprenticeship period.

Key Recommendations:

1. Ensure steady funding for pre-apprenticeship programs.
2. Increase direct entry from pre-apprenticeship into apprenticeship programs.
3. Promote recruitment of diverse workers through referrals.
4. Engage in collective efforts to inform K-12 students about construction careers.
5. Address construction job site culture through respectful workplaces trainings.
6. Increase monitoring of on-the-job training and formalize mentorship resources for diverse workers.
7. Enforce contract goals with consequences for non-compliance.

Challenges of Apprentices:

1. Physical demands and construction culture.
2. Negative attitudes and behavior towards diverse workers.
3. Financial challenges and harassment on the job site.
4. Meeting commitments to work and family due to unpredictable schedules and work hours.

Quotes from Apprentices:

1. "You're expected to go above and beyond, always. And if you do, [it is assumed it is because] you're exceptional for a woman."
2. "It's hard to be a woman on the job site because they don't want women there."
3. "They always have me doing the bitch work. I'm like, you know, I can do more than that… You've got to fight for your place.