Job openings and training opportunities abound; future bright for blue-collar positions

by Barbara White
"In My Shoes" is a yearlong series dedicated to helping individuals seeking opportunities for a better quality of life. I hope that you enjoyed I-Witness being in the shoes of workers at McDonald’s ("Series gives readers a peek at various jobs"--January 31 "Milwaukee Community Journal"). Of course, I was the best "fry girl" McDonald’s ever had, Holla!

I have lined up many jobs I will work at in the coming months for this series, a number of which provide quality of life salaries. Some of the jobs are loan officer at a bank, an employee at the Goodwill and a library.

Knowing that not everyone is cutout for college, I will also focus on jobs in the trades as well, where welders and machinists are needed presently to fill over 800 jobs throughout Milwaukee County.

While many folks may not look upon trades as glamorous, they are essential to keeping our economy and society operating-plus, you’re compensated well.

(The big pay check) The knowledge obtained will be rewarding as well, plus you will have the satisfaction that what you’ve built with your own hands will leave a lasting mark on society.

Competitive wages and predicted industry growth mean the future is looking bright for numerous blue-collar positions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction and extraction jobs are expected to grow 12% by 2014, adding 931,000 jobs to the field.

Installation, maintenance and repair jobs have a predicted expansion of 11.4% with 657,000 additional jobs over the same time period.

The transportation and material moving industry is another growing blue-collar niche, increasing by 11.1% and adding 1.1 million jobs by 2014.

Top 10 Blue-Collar Jobs of the Future based on current salary medians and expected growth by 2014*:

Construction and Building Inspectors

What it pays: $43,670 per year Employment projected to increase: 18-26 percent

2. Waste and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

What it pays: $34,960 per year Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

3. Elevator Installers and Repairers

What it pays: $28.23 per hour Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

4. Subway and Streetcar Operators

What it pays: $23.70 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

5. Iron and Metal Workers

What it pays: $20.40 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

6. Electricians

What it pays: $20.33 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

7. Brickmasons, Blockmasons and Stonemasons

What it pays: $20.07 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

8. Plumbers, Pipelayers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters

What it pays: $19.85 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent

9. Heating, Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

What it pays: $17.43 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 18-26 percent

10. Carpenters

What it pays: $16.78 per hour

Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent.
While these jobs are not considered the glamour jobs one can makes a good living doing them:
1. Janitor-Salary $27,349
2. Mortician--Salary $51,111
3. Plumber--Salary $46,489
4. Parking Lot Attendant--Salary $18,316
5. Exterminator--Salary $25,515
6. Telemarketer--Salary $30,448
7. Taxi Driver--Salary $29,089
8. Waste Management Manager--Salary $85,607
9. Short Order Cook--Salary $29,229
10. Accountant--Salary $48,133
*Statistics provided by the BLS
Meg Donohue, CareerBuilder.com

There are many apprentice programs that are about to start that can assist anyone interested in trying them--even felons.
Upon completion of their respective training programs, these trade jobs provide starting salaries at $19.00 an hour. These jobs are also family supporting.

Therefore, this month I will focus on those programs and timelines and will keep you abreast on when you must register and their requirements for participation.

The Skilled Trade Collaborative (STC) can teach you how to enter the apprenticeship programs and will provide you a mentor. STC will meet Monday, March 26, 2007 at Local 113, 6310 West Appleton Avenue, 6 p.m.

WRTP/BIGSTEP will start a new session in May will keep you informed.

Urban Apprenticeship has a pre-apprenticeship program and is seeking apprentices for several major developments in the city of Milwaukee, such as the construction of the new Manpower facility downtown, the Park East Project and the expansion of Potawatomi Casino.

The new Pabst City construction project has an apprentice program as well.

These projects are looking for laborers, asphalt workers, anyone who is interested in the trades and construction. Believe me when I say you can make excellent money doing these jobs.

Before you pursue any one of these jobs, you should ask yourself, "Am I interested in working with my hands and mind?

Am I willing to get up early in the morning? Am I willing to study? Am I willing to learn or strengthen my academic skills, such as math and reading to--not only benefit me on the job--but also for personal development?

Even if my academic skills are not up to par, am I willing to try to raise them; to do what is necessary to qualify for the programs that could lead me to full time (and lifetime) employment?
Am I willing to trust a mentor and not be afraid or feel silly by asking for the help I need when I am stuck, even on the simplest things? Am I willing to work in the outdoors in different kinds of weather or outside? Do you take directions well?
Lastly, are you willing to trust yourself to give the opportunity you've been presented every chance to succeed.
If you have answered yes to a majority of the above questions then you are ready to roll and I and the aforementioned apprentice programs are here to assist you.

Here is how we get started. You can contact I-Witness at (414) 265-5300 and I will refer you to one of the aforementioned programs.

Even business owners can call if they have a job opening that pays well enough to take care of a family, instills pride in ones self, your family and throughout our community.

FYI
Job Hiring

"The Post Office is now hiring. If you know of anyone who is interested, have them call 866-999-8777.Follow they should follow the phone prompts and an application will be sent to them. This must be done before May 31.
They are hiring for full time positions at $17.00 per hour. You can also apply online at http://www.usps.-com/employment/

Apprenticeshipsfor High School Students

Free Engineering Camp for High School Juniors Free

Engineering camp, June 3-15. Students who are currently in the 11th grade are invited to attend a FREE engineering camp at the University of Houston.
African American students are needed. Please mail in applications by April 15.
To obtain application or if you need further information please contact, John Matthews, 713-743-4226 or http://www.egr.uh.edu/-promes/pubs/PromesApplication.pdf.
Students are welcomed from anywhere in the United States. Transportation is not provided to the campus but the camp is free.
Out-of-town students will be picked up and returned to the bus station, train station or airport free both before and after completion of program.

This camp helps students develop good study habits and learn about the various facts of engineering careers. At least 15 more African American students.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the College Access Program (CAP) Academic Skills Development Workshop for this summer It is an exciting program designed for African American, Asian American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Latino, American Indian and/or disadvantaged high school students.
This program is available to students determined to succeed academically and who desire additional preparation for college.

The Academic Skills Development Workshop is a three-week residential program offered from July 8-27. For students completing their freshman, sophomore or junior year in high school.

Participants in the program will reside on campus in dormitories fully supervised by program staff. In addition, the program will include information on college admission requirements, degree requirements, financial aid, career
opportunities and student support programs.
Interested students should fill out a program application and return to CAP no later than April 16. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Gerardo Mancilla College Access Program Coordinator University of Wisconsin - Madison (608) 265-0844 www.education.wisc.edu/cap.