OLMIS

by Brenda Turner
Published Mar-23-2009

Construction Occupations Installation, Maintenance and Repair-Related Occupations Production and Other Apprenticeable Occupations Summary

Do we have enough apprentices completing their training to meet businesses' needs?

On the surface, this seems like a simple question. But as is often the case, the discussion quickly becomes quite complex. Several factors must be considered when evaluating the sufficiency of the number of individuals completing apprenticeships in Oregon.

Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) apprenticeship programs provided training in over 50 occupations in 2007, with 1,010 individuals completing apprenticeships. Additional programs are currently approved by the Oregon Apprenticeship Council but they were not actively training apprentices in 2007.

Tables 1 and 2 provide basic demand and supply information for apprenticeable occupations, or those with apprenticeship opportunities in Oregon. Demand is represented by the average annual need for workers to fill growth and replacement openings projected between 2006 and 2016. Supply is represented by the number of completers from postsecondary programs, including apprenticeships, private career schools, Job Corps, and colleges.

It seems logical to simply compare the demand for workers (average annual openings) with the supply of workers (training program completers). Indeed, this straight forward comparison of supply and demand is an important beginning for the discussion. However, we must keep in mind that it ignores many important factors, including, but not limited to, migration, retirees reentering the workforce, and occupational or industry trends that developed after the 2006 to 2016 employment projections and average annual openings data were developed.

An apprenticeship is not necessarily required to meet the minimum qualifications for all apprenticeable jobs. There are a few occupations such as electricians and plumbers in which one must complete an apprenticeship to adequately train for the job. For others, it may be extremely helpful to gain a solid foundation of skills and abilities through an apprenticeship. And for some occupations, an apprenticeship is just one of several ways to obtain the training necessary to perform a particular job. In general, an apprenticeship, like other formal postsecondary education, can make an individual more competitive in the job market. In addition, wages paid and opportunities for employment are generally enhanced for credentialed journeymen.

Over three-fourths of all apprenticeship completers were in construction-related occupations in 2007. Employment in these occupations, shown in Table 1, represents almost half of the employment among apprenticeable occupations. A few non-apprenticeship programs in the state offer training in construction occupations. Job Corps trained over 300 students in construction-related fields such as drywall installation, electrical work, and carpet installation in 2007. Many Job Corps programs prepare students for entry-level positions such as painter, paperhanger, plasterer and stucco mason helpers, or for entry into an apprenticeship program. Job Corps completers focusing on electrical work likely are prepared for work in a related entry-level position such as electrician's helper or they may enter apprenticeships.

Looking only at the number of average annual openings (2,268) compared to the number of apprenticeship and other program completers (1,235), demand outweighs supply for these apprenticeable construction occupations. However, there is much more information below this broadest of views. For occupations requiring an apprenticeship for all workers, a simple comparison of supply and demand carries a lot of weight. For other occupations, this information is very much a starting point and significant additional information is needed to fully understand the supply/demand situation.

A few select construction occupations are discussed below.

"Carpenters" is the largest apprenticeable construction occupation and has the most average annual job openings projected from 2006 to 2016. An apprenticeship is not required to qualify for carpentry jobs; however, those who complete an apprenticeship are deemed skilled carpenters and earn roughly twice as much as those who do not. While the simple comparison of the number of training program completers (150) to the number of average annual openings (476) implies a shortage, not all carpenters need to be highly trained. An apprenticeship is not needed for those doing residential framing, for example.

With over 10,000 jobs in 2006, construction laborers is the third largest apprenticeable occupation. Over the long term, Oregon should need more than 300 new laborers each year. An apprenticeship can provide the foundation for this job but is generally not a requirement.

An apprenticeship is required to become a plumber. There were 174 apprenticeship completers in 2007, short of the projected need for 201 new plumbers each year from 2006 to 2016. Another indicator pointing toward a shortage of plumbers is the results from a May 2008 job vacancy survey showing a large number of vacancies for plumbers, one-third of which were open for 60 or more days.

An apprenticeship is not required for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, a large occupation which is projected to have 156 average annual openings from 2006 to 2016. The majority of program graduates complete private career school programs. These programs take substantially more time than the completion of an apprenticeship program. Private career school graduates could also supply related occupations such as pile-driver operators or paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators.

Another construction-related apprenticeable occupation is sheet metal workers. Nearly all sheet metal program completers are BOLI apprentices. Some apprentices obtain low voltage electrical licenses in order to install environmental controls and heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

Generally, an apprenticeship is required for structural iron and steel workers. With 32 apprenticeship completers in 2007, this occupation appears to be roughly in a demand-supply balance. However, community college graduates in the program related to this occupation could also go into a number of other occupations.

"Elevator installers and repairers" is a small licensed occupation for which a BOLI apprenticeship is the only formal training available. While the numbers are small, too few individuals completed an apprenticeship in this occupation in 2007 to meet the average annual demand. However, the number of apprenticeship registrants in 2008 suggests the situation will improve in coming years.

In 2007, there were 179 apprenticeships completed in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. These apprenticeship completers represented 18 percent of all apprentice completers. They included programs such as electrical power-line installers and repairers and industrial machinery mechanics (Table 2). Another 491 individuals completed related programs in Oregon. On the demand side, we project an annual average need for 1,558 workers in apprenticeable installation, maintenance, and repair occupations from 2006 to 2016. Like construction occupations, there is more to the story than the simple comparison of program completers to demand. Selected occupations are discussed below.

"General maintenance and repair workers" is the second largest apprenticeable occupation and has a projected need for more than 450 workers per year over the long term. Completing an apprenticeship is currently the only means of formal training for general maintenance and repair workers.

Although an apprenticeship is available for automotive service technicians and mechanics, it is not required. Almost all automotive service technicians receive their training through community colleges in Oregon.

There were 70 industrial machinery mechanics apprenticeship completers in 2007, well below the total projected annual openings from 2006 to 2016 of 103. An apprenticeship is generally required for entry into this occupation and is the only training program for industrial machinery mechanics in Oregon.

An apprenticeship is not required to become a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer unless an individual seeks a low voltage electrical license. While only two community colleges provide programs for this occupation, they train the majority of program completers.

Generally, an apprenticeship is required to become an electrical power-line installer and repairer. Training is provided primarily through BOLI apprenticeships and through a training program at the Vocational Outside Lineworker Training Academy. With 73 apprenticeship or other training completers in 2007, this occupation appears to be roughly meeting the estimated 68-per-year need for new and replacement openings.

Generally, an apprenticeship is required to become a millwright, although community college courses are also available in Oregon. Construction millwrights are skilled construction mechanics who work with machine tools and precision instruments. Millwrights install and repair machinery and heavy equipment. There were only two apprenticeship completers in 2007, though 45 registered apprentices were working on their apprenticeship at the end of 2007. The average annual projected need for 55 millwrights far exceeds the supply of two apprenticeship completers in 2007.

BOLI apprenticeships are the primary training providers for "electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment," which generally requires postsecondary training. Classes are available at most community colleges. The four BOLI apprenticeship completers fall short of the annual need for 29 new workers in this occupation.

An apprenticeship is the only formal postsecondary training available in Oregon for "control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door." An apprenticeship is not required, however, to enter this small occupation.

"Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay"

is a small licensed occupation for which a BOLI apprenticeship is the only formal training available. While the numbers are small, too few individuals completed an apprenticeship in this occupation in 2007.

Individuals were registered in "electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment" apprenticeships in 2007 but there were no apprenticeship completers in 2007. There are a large number of community colleges which offer "automobile/automotive mechanics technology/technician training programs" related to this occupation. These programs also supply automotive service technicians and mechanics; as well as the "electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles" occupation.

Apprentices completing production-related programs made up just one percent of all apprenticeship completers in 2007. These programs prepared them for jobs such as welders, machinists, and stationary engineers and boiler operators. Apprentices were active in other production apprenticeships but no one completed those programs in 2007.

Other occupations with apprenticeship completers in 2007 were cost estimators, tree trimmers and pruners, and forest and conservation workers. Apprentices in these occupations made up three percent of all apprenticeship completers in 2007.

Apprenticeships play a very important role in training workers for a variety of occupations. And while job openings are few and far between right now, when the economy picks up and as the baby boom bubble begins to retire, there will be job openings to fill, including those in apprenticeable occupations.