Masonry Magazine May 1968 Page. 25
Applying logic to a very difficult subject
Robert Knudson made this excellent presentation before the MCAA Oregon Convention held in Eugene during February. It is well worth your time to read this article through and then pass it on to a young person considering the trade.
This is written for mothers, fathers, teachers, junior and senior high school students, representatives of labor and management, their apprentices and other interested persons. Let us take time to really consider the value of modern apprenticeship systems in the building and construction industry.
A FAMILY CONSIDERATION
There has never been a period in our history when greater emphasis was placed on college education. Too often college education is emphasized to the point of belief that anything less is second rate. This attitude is wrong. No one is opposed to any qualified student's going to college, but not everybody can become a good doctor, lawyer, engineer, scientist, artist, teacher, preacher or professional man. Not everybody can become a successful building tradesman either.
As shown in the actual wage rates in this paper, it is possible for the apprentice to earn in excess of $25,000 during his four-year term of apprenticeship. During this same period of time, a young man may spend in the neighborhood of $8,000 going to college, or other schools.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRANCE IN APPRENTICESHIP
Age is generally 18 to 25 years (with limited exceptions).
Good health and physically fit for the trade.
High school graduate. (Note: Many trades place high value on mathematics, mechanical drawing, the sciences, and all expect the ability to read, spell, write and speak intelligently. High school transcripts are required of applicants. It must be understood that apprentices are actually entering the area of higher education.)
Successful completion of aptitude tests.
Acceptance after interview by a joint apprenticeship committee. (A joint apprenticeship committee is generally composed of 4 employers and 4 journeymen. They are the ones who administer the apprenticeship system.)
Willingness to work, study and attend classes.
Desire and ability to maintain proper conduct.
Successful completion of probationary period.
SOME ADVANTAGES OF APPRENTICESHIP
There are a number of advantages to apprenticeship.
The apprentice is an employed worker. The union does not employ apprentices. The contractor or employer is the only one who can create a job for an apprentice.
He is paid good wages while he learns. He is not cheap labor. Wages and opportunity must attract and hold good young men.
He becomes self-reliant comparatively young.
He should be no financial burden to his parents.
He will learn to produce with modern tools and machines available only from American industry.
He will gain experience under the latest methods.
He will have current knowledge of industrial materials.
He will properly use or install thousands of dollars worth of materials during his apprenticeship. (This is one of the many reasons why a journeyman cannot be developed in a classroom.)
He will work under the direction of a competent journeyman at all times. He will receive close personal attention and supervision.
He will attend classes for five hours each week to learn those things which cannot be taught economically in the shop or at the job site.
His instructor will be a capable, practical man selected from the industry by the joint apprenticeship committee.
His work reports, class grades and attendance will be reviewed by the joint apprenticeship committee before each wage increase. (He must earn it.)
APPRENTICESHIP
MONEY TALKS
By Robert G. Kundson
Apprenticeship Representative