The WAVE (Washington Apprenticeship Vocational Education) Tour, presented by the Career Connect NW (CCNW) Network, welcomed 384 students from 21 schools from Oct. 23-26 and over 250 juniors and seniors from 25 high schools from April 24-28.
WAVE offered students the chance to try out different trades through hands-on activities in a day-long career exploration event. Unlike a career fair, the tour allows small groups of students to see trade-specific workstations, as well as an “Apprenticeship 101” presentation, given by a Labor and Industries representative.
Each day featured different trades, including Carpenters, Construction Laborers Local 292, Electricians IBEW 191, Operating Engineers, Sheet Metal Workers, Plumbers & Pipefitters, Snohomish PUD, AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships, and Puget Sound Energy. Tradespeople also advised students to practice their math skills while in high school since many trade apprenticeship applications include a math test and on-the-job quick calculations.
Burlington-Edison School District GEAR Up Site Coordinator Heather Paton attended the event and said there are a lot of misconceptions that post-high school is either about the trades or college. Many times, apprentices have the option to earn a college degree at the end of their apprenticeship. This option allows them to earn a livable wage right out of high school, with the average apprentice wage starting at $30 per hour plus benefits, and their program pays for their college classes as well. After about 4 years as an apprentice, the pay can increase to $50 per hour. Not only are trades a high-wage career option, but they are also in high demand due to a large group of tradespeople currently retiring, referred to as a silver tsunami. There are many apprenticeship openings for people who are 18 years or older, have earned a high school diploma or GED, and have the motivation to earn a livable wage right out of high school while they learn a trade and earn college credits at the same time.
Larry Francois, NWESD Superintendent, featured his WAVE Tour experience in the Education Connection Spring newsletter, stating, “At the NWESD, we are growing our footprint and influence to promote, support, and help build career pathways in the skilled trades across our region. The skilled trades offer high demand, viable, and exciting futures for students.”
The WAVE Tour was sponsored by HF Sinclair, Milwaukee Tools, and CCNW. NW Washington STEM and Snohomish STEM, as a co-leads of the Career Connect NW Network, are integral in this work. The Northwest Carpenters Training Institute has been an incredible host at their facility in Burlington, assisting with logistics and presenting to students. Washington Department of Labor & Industry supports by conducting the Apprenticeship 101 session for students. The Northwest Workforce Council supports with supplies and ongoing assistance to students interested in applying for apprenticeships. Also, Lindsay Fiker, former Burlington-Edison High School Counselor and imaginer of the WAVE Tour, continues to volunteer to make the event a success!
