America's Work Force Union Podcast

Internships build workers, workers build foremans

Written by awfblog | January 3, 2023

Mike Smith, the Executive Director of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed how a paid internship will help introduce the trades to teenagers.

The internship, which targets kids between the ages of 14 and 17, is a six-week program to teach aspiring construction workers the basics of the building trades. The program will give the interns an increased opportunity to gain work in the industry since employers look for recruits with skills, and potentially put them in a better position to start their careers after high school.

Smith also talked about the importance of labor and management working as a team to solve industry issues. 

Listen to the entire episode to learn more Smith’s thoughts on these topics: