Youth Transition to Work (YTTW) Program

YTTW Program Promotes Union Trade Apprenticeship Programs

Deciding on a career is never an easy choice for students. There is a great deal of information available when it comes to college, but many students are rarely aware of another path that leads to a well-paying, personally fulfilling career - the Construction Industry, and even more specifically, union apprenticeship programs.

Apprentices are professionals in training - learning the basics of a particular craft or trade while they are learning. What is even more appealing is that the apprentices receive this education at no cost to them. Apprentice programs are paid by the training funds of the respective trade unions.

A partnership with the NJ Department of Labor and Construction Industry Advancement Program, YTTW (Youth Transition to Work) promotes the union apprenticeship programs with the following trades: District Council of Northern NJ Ironworkers, Heavy and General Laborers Local 472, and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. Currently 16 schools participate in the program.

• High School Seniors are eligible for program and throughout their senior year have the opportunity to learn all about the exciting careers available in the construction industry.
• Participating students visit the training centers of all three trades to spend the day with instructors. Students have the unique opportunity to participate in many interactive and hands-on activities such as driving a backhoe, walking the steel and operating high-tech surveying equipment.
• Students also take the WorkKeys Test, which is used by many trades as an entrance exam.