Pete Koester, Business Representative from Carpenters Local 243 of Champaign, spoke with MHS students this week about the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training programs. Mr. Koester explained that carpentry is one of the oldest and most respected professions in the world. Carpentry requires an individual to possess a wide variety of skills in order to meet challenges.
He told students that it is an exciting career because it isn’t “just a job”. Mr. Koester said that there’s always a challenge because “there’s room for growth and opportunity while earning a very good wage/benefits (including a pension fund).” Information about the apprenticeship program was also given that included how students can work under the guidance of skilled workers who are called journeymen. Apprentices start at 50% of the journeyman’s rate of pay with periodic increases until they graduate into the journeyman status.
According to the Local 243 press release, “The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice Training Program is on the Pekin Campus covers 41 counties throughout Central Illinois. It combines a hands-on classroom education by qualified instructors with on the job training. This ‘earn while you learn’ approach gives the apprentice the opportunity to earn a good living while developing highly marketable skills for life.”
Thanks to Mr. Koester for speaking to students about the benefits of becoming a union carpenter.