does anyone wanna give apprenticeship?

[Matt50x]

I could even tell you how many compaines I had interviews with and they wouldnt put me in the apprenticeship program! Makes me feel like maybe I should not go into this trade...

[neophytes serendipity]

Have you called the local union hall and asked them what the unemployment rate is? How many members have left the trade? Unemployed for 12 months? 24 months?

How many active members in 2007 vs 2010?

There isn't any union work.

There are too many members from selling cards during the last boom. Too many BA's, but that won't get cut as quickly as rank and file members that can't get a job.

The only people working union now are either lucky or connected.

The union halls are not taking (m)any apprentices. Midwest, east coast and west coast are at or near 50% unemployment, not factoring members that have left the union.

The union halls are hemorraging cash due to fewer hours worked, stable or increasing benefit claims, members withdrawing annuity funds, early unplanned retirements (pension plan drains) and of course, continued high operating expenses (BA and office pay). The BA's won't lay themselves off and will ride this into the sunset. Check dues receipts vs union officer pay (link: http://www.uniondemocracy.org/Legal/getlm2s.htm). Two local trade unions here raised the dues to keep cash flow up rather than lay off administrative expenses.

Companies putting people into the program now, if they can, are likely doing it for their own connections, not some schmoe off the street.

Vocational schools will still make money selling you a useless education.

Non union companies generally pay poorly and expect you to subsidize their business with a truck and tools.

If you don't have a lot of time invested, might be worthwhile to take a step back and reevaluate.

I would think *real hard* about going union. The numbers don't add up- something has to give. There will be massive numbers of small local unions going under or a massive consolidation. Unless, of course, there is a 180* turn in the number of hours worked, which generates dues monies and benefit hours. A similar effect will occur if union membersip is forced to decline.

[neophytes serendipity]

Oh, and for those of you that are union, close to retirement and out of work (or, part-timing it)...

You better check up on and understand how many hours you need to work per year preceding retirement in order to obtain your retiree health coverage.

If you don't know this, you will be hosed, and unable to retire with health coverage or get a job due to age discrimination.

Fair warning. Odds are, the hall won't tell you.