By Brian K. Greynolds, Training Director, BAC Local 23 Apprenticeship Program
In West Virginia, we take pride in the things we build.
The schools where our children learn. The hospitals that care for our families. The roads, bridges, and public buildings that serve our communities every day.
Many of these structures share one thing in common: they were built by skilled craftworkers in the building trades. For many of those men and women, their careers began as apprentices. National Apprenticeship Week, taking place April 26 through May 2, recognizes the programs and people who are preparing the next generation of skilled workers who are helping build West Virginia’s future. An apprenticeship is more than job training. It is a pathway to a respected craft and a stable career.
Through the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 23 Apprenticeship Program, individuals earn while they learn. Apprentices work alongside experienced journeymen on active construction sites while also receiving classroom instruction and hands-on training at our regional training centers.
Over time, apprentices develop the skills required to become highly trained craftworkers in bricklaying, block masonry, stonework, and related masonry systems. Unlike many career paths that require years of student debt, apprenticeships allow individuals to earn a paycheck while learning valuable skills that are in high demand. For many West Virginians, apprenticeships provide an opportunity to build a good life while staying close to home.
Careers in the skilled trades offer family-sustaining wages, strong benefits, and the pride that comes with knowing the work you do will stand for generations. When you pass a school, courthouse, or commercial building that you helped construct, you see the lasting impact of your craft every day. At the same time, apprenticeship programs play a vital role in strengthening our state’s economy.
As West Virginia continues to invest in infrastructure, energy development, and community growth, the demand for skilled construction workers continues to rise. Apprenticeships help meet that demand while creating meaningful opportunities for young people entering the workforce, veterans transitioning to civilian careers, and individuals seeking a new career path.
For students considering their future, parents helping guide career decisions, and anyone looking for a practical path forward, the skilled trades offer a career that is both rewarding and essential.
Because building with brick and stone is about more than construction. It is about building communities, building careers, and building the future of our state.
During National Apprenticeship Week, we recognize the apprentices who are learning their craft today, the instructors and journeymen who pass down generations of knowledge, and the programs that ensure the next generation of skilled workers is ready to step forward. When we invest in apprenticeships, we are not just training workers. We are investing in the people who will continue building West Virginia for generations to come.
