A Sunday, Oct. 6 Youngstown Vindicator front-page feature article explored the challenges labor unions face in attracting the next generation of talent to skilled trades careers, and it included commentary from NECA-IBEW Electricians’ Jim Burgham, business manager for IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown.
Burgham said applications for the Youngstown electrician apprentice program numbered in the hundreds as early as five years ago, but the number of candidates has dropped to well below 100 this past year. It’s enough to meet current demand, he said, but the concern is the longer-term future.
“I just think the young people are not being educated or informed about the building trades,” Burgham was quoted as saying in the article. “It’s a good viable option. That’s great if you want to go to college, but if you don’t, there’s other avenues.”
For the full version of the article please click here.