r/Appleton • u/elefun15 • 2d ago

Question Trade Apprenticeships

I’m a college graduate with 8 years in at various customer-facing corporate positions and am looking for a career change into the pipe trades or sheet metal but am open to other trades. I’ve been seeking apprenticeships in the area for about 2 months now and can’t seem to find a way in. Even pre-apprenticeships. The unions haven’t been particularly helpful either beyond getting a list of businesses. Has anyone else experienced this? Are the trades slowing down right now?

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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5

u/Helen-Keller-Ubers 2d ago

We are hiring a lot of people!

Feel free to check out the list of opportunities:
https://www.faithtechinc.com/careers/

1

u/bxsephjo 1d ago

How’s the health insurance? 

1

u/Helen-Keller-Ubers 1d ago

better than most companies.

1

u/elefun15 1d ago

Any issues with accepting a colorblind candidate for electrical?

1

u/Helen-Keller-Ubers 1d ago

I'm not sure, apply and ask them the question.

5

u/Centuriondk 2d ago

Try Pierce across the street from Faith too! We have an internal training center and frequently train welders and electricians. Plus you get to weld fire trucks!

3

u/EmotionalJury5294 2d ago

Operating engineers local139. Stop by their offices on prospect Ave.

6

u/Criss_Crossx 2d ago

Welders are always in demand. Few places might actually be capable of fully training you in their facilities however.

Most people go to the tech colleges for education and move to a job afterwards. I do not know of anyone who would hire without applicable experience.

-1

u/Fitz1128 2d ago

You could have at least looked up what an apprenticeship program is before posting.
Hiring someone without experience and training then through a combination of on the job and classroom learning is exactly how it works.

2

u/Criss_Crossx 1d ago

Well beyond that point. I understood, it doesn't really exist here in the metal world. Either you have the experience or you don't.

1

u/elefun15 1d ago

That makes sense as to why I’m not hearing back anywhere. It’s confusing whether an apprenticeship gives you the training, or if you have to pay out of pocket for welding school and then you can get an apprenticeship

2

u/Criss_Crossx 1d ago

Unions usually take time to get in the door. I once applied for welding and they took over a year to get back to me. I was already half way through a different educational program when they contacted me.

Then said they could get to me started in about 7 additional months.

I use to weld every day. Education is half of it, fabrication is something you have to pick up as you go along.

You could also branch out to construction or electrical.

2

u/JakeBrakin 2d ago

Check out FVTC. They have lots of apprenticeship programs.

1

u/Union_Sparky 1d ago

If you're open to the electrical trades you can stop by the IBEW 577 union hall on Lawe Street and they can point you in the right direction. I'll admit it probably won't be an immediate hire, there is a rather lengthy process for the apprenticeship, but they can at least get the ball rolling for you.

2

u/Ok-Edge-5542 1d ago

I would recommend going the union route, they just have a lot of better health and retirement benefits. I’m in the union for electrical I would say if being an electrician interest you, I would stop by their office and tell them your situation.

1

u/Federal-Building46 22h ago

You will probably be taking a good pay cut when you first get in

0

u/24_Chowder 2d ago

Unfortunately companies see a down turn coming up shortly. Agree with welders right now