FARGO — It may not be the first career path on people's lists, but some are trying to change that.
Mayor Tim Mahoney has proclaimed this week "National Apprenticeship Week" in Fargo, lending support to the trade industry.
It was read aloud at the Carpenters Training Institute on Wednesday.
Members of various trades say the need for skilled-workers is growing, and they hope this week will be a catalyst to more recruiting opportunities, and feel it can also help erase the stigma that being a craftsman or woman is a negative thing.
"The stigma about those in construction work is that you're a dumb person or you're unbecoming, well we're constantly trying to address that," said Jason Ehlert, president of the North Dakota Building Trades Unions. "And instead saying you are a skilled construction member, you are knowledgeable, and you have an expertise."
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He also addressed the low-cost of getting an education, and the demand that needs to be met.
"You could probably ask any representative with any one of our unions and say, 'how many more guys and people can you put to work?'" said Ehlert. "Their answer will usually be we could put two, five, ten, thirty - whatever it may be - if we could find more people to do it."
This is the fifth anniversary of "National Apprenticeship Week."
