The Southern States Apprenticeship
Labor-Management Council

A Letter From Our Chairman

Thank you for visiting our web site. We hope you can find the information you are looking for as you check out our web site. This message is to candidates for Apprentice programs, Parents, Teachers, and School Counselors.

For years, we the citizens of America have enjoyed our many luxuries that would not have been possible if it were not for skilled craftsmen who have worked in manufacturing industries. The next time you drive across a bridge, think about the craftsmen who fit the steel, welded the steel, painted the steel, and inspected the finished product to insure your safety as you travel down the highway. Also think about your automobile. It was made by skilled craftsmen who did the fitting, welding, painting and inspection needed, again to insure your safety.

The Baby Boomers are beginning to retire and the available pool of skilled craftsmen is drying up every year. We must have a paradigm shift and realize the value of skilled workers in today’s society both financially and intellectually.

Career ladders are available that map out a successful career path for people interested in gaining their skill sets and academic preparation required to become a skilled craftsman. A skilled Pipe Fitter or Plumber can earn a salary competitive with the students who peruse degrees in Engineering. On a personal note, I have a Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Administration; I am a retired Community College Administrator. I am now the Sector Director for Workforce Training and Development for Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; I am also a journeyman Welder. Both credentials mean a lot to me; however, the Welding credential paid for the education needed to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Completing a Registered Apprentice program will give a young person a head start on their fellow classmates who elect to go to college. A four year college degree will cost approximately $60,000 (a conservative figure); then the Graduate will have to find employment and work his/her way up through the system. An Apprentice completing a four year program can earn up to $130,000 during their four years in the program and have a job classified at a journeyman level when he/she completes the program.

I encourage you to talk with your local or state Apprentice representative. They will help you identify available Apprentice positions and career options for the Apprentice who completes the program. By the way, Apprentice training is the oldest form of transferring knowledge from the Master Craftsmen to the Student. Any program than has survived more that a thousand years has to have some very positive things going for it.

Thank you again for visiting our Web Site. May you have all the success in the world as you select the program for you, your young adult, or student.

Serving Apprenticeship Training

Larry E. Crane, Ed.D.
Chairman, The Southern States Apprenticeship
Labor-Management Council