Union Apprenticeships More Effective Than Non-Union, Study Says
The Capital Area Labor-Management Council (CALM) of Central Pennsylvania recently released a study about the effectiveness of joint union-management apprenticeships over non-union training programs as part of a project to inform school students and guidance counselors about the careers and opportunities available in the industry. The study found joint programs graduated six times as many skilled crafts as non-union, and 12 times as many women and male minorities.
Using official U.S. Department of Labor data, the report found that in 2001 joint programs accounted for 1,431 construction apprentice graduates in Pennsylvania compared to 241 graduates from non-union programs. In the same year, union programs accounted for 12 out of every 13 male minorities and women completing Pennsylvania construction apprenticeships.