An aging, retiring workforce and a recovering, growing economy combine to create challenges and opportunities in Kern County's and the nation's skilled trades.
National Apprenticeship Week is November 14 through 18. It will be highlighted locally with the First Annual Kern County Women in Trades Workshop (WiT) on Wednesday, November 16, at 10:45 a.m. at the NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Center in Bakersfield.
A partnership with the Kern Community College District, local union building trade apprenticeship coordinators and the state Division of Apprenticeship Standards, the event will include an introduction to apprenticeship programs by local area apprenticeship training center directors and coordinators, and a hands-on workshop assisted by live apprentices.
The WiT event on November 16, and the Student Apprenticeship Workshop (SAW) that will be held on November 17, are uniquely targeted for high-school and college aged students interested in entering the building trades. Various construction occupations and crafts will be introduced to encourage students' thoughtful consideration of apprenticeship opportunities. Each event expects more than 170 students.
Trades that will be represented include: Electricians, Plumbers & Pipefitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Carpenters, Operating Engineers, Sprinkler Fitters, Cement Masons and Teamsters.
Schedule of speakers:
- 10:45 a.m. - John Spaulding, Building and Construction Trades Council
- 10:50 a.m. - Leticia Perez, Kern County Board of Supervisors
- 10:55 a.m. - Willie Rivera, City of Bakersfield
- 11:00 a.m. - Hands-on workshop assisted by live apprentices
