FRESNO -- A statewide effort to recruit construction-trade apprentices made a stop Thursday in the Central Valley, where the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency is launching the "I Built It" campaign.
Thousands of skilled workers in the building trades will be needed in the coming years to work on public works projects funded by the 2006 infrastructure bonds. The bonds authorized $42 billion for education, housing, levee repair, flood control, parks and transportation projects.
Those projects include the widening of Highway 99 through Fresno from four lanes to six, other Central Valley road projects and the building of new multi-family housing in the Fresno area.
It is estimated that within six years, the state will need more than 73,000 carpenters; 25,000 plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters and electricians; and 15,000 operating engineers. Those occupations pay median wages of $22 to more than $27 an hour.
One apprentice for every five journeymen is required to be employed on all public works jobs. The state is encouraging people interested in working on the public works projects to start apprenticeship programs now so that they are prepared for the building boom.
Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties have about a dozen apprenticeship programs listed through the state department of industrial relations. Most of the infrastructure projects will be under full construction in 10 to 12 years.
For more information, go to www.ibuiltit.org.
Bee staff writer Christina Salerno can be reached at csalerno@modbee.com or 238-4574.
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