WV Trades Launch New Budget to Promote Craft Apprenticeship Programs Across the State
The West Virginia Building and Construction Trades Council has launched a new recruitment initiative aimed at strengthening the state’s craft apprenticeship programs. Earlier this year, the council approved a dedicated budget to fund outreach efforts across West Virginia.
Video Campaign Highlights Every Construction Craft
A significant portion of the new budget is going toward the production of recruitment videos that spotlight the wide range of trades available. These short videos are designed to give a real-life glimpse into the work of West Virginia’s construction crafts, including:
- Boilermakers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Iron Workers
- Laborers
- Millwrights
- Operating Engineers
- Industrial Painters
- Pipe Fitters
- Roofers
- Sheet Metal Workers
These videos feature real union members on job sites and in training facilities, sharing what it’s like to pursue a career through a craft apprenticeship program.
Meeting the Demand for Skilled Labor
“Our goal is to meet people where they are and show them what a future in the trades really looks like. We’ve always been ready when contractors need skilled workers—and now we’re investing in tools to make sure that continues.”
John Epperly, Secretary-Treasurer of the WV Building and Construction Trades Council
According to Epperly, the videos are just one part of a broader plan to grow the skilled workforce as West Virginia’s construction industry evolves.
“Contractors approach us all the time, asking for more skilled workers,” he said. “This initiative is about preparing for that demand by growing our craft apprenticeship programs and creating more pathways into the trades.”
A Pipeline for the Future
This recruitment push is a joint effort between the WV Building and Construction Trades Council and the Affiliated Construction Trades (ACTWV). The goal is to strengthen the pipeline of qualified, local workers and ensure the future of West Virginia’s construction industry remains union strong.
