I'm looking into an apprenticeship in the carpentry trade in Alaska. What I'm unsure of is what field to specialize in. After reading descriptions, residential carpenter, piledriver, and millwright look to be very interesting to me. My main concern is will there be work available year round in AK? I really don't know how unions work, or how the apprenticeship programs work. I plan on contacting some of the locals there, but thought some of you might be able to give me some good questions to ask them
On a side note, I'm planning on working through this place:
http://www.helmetstohardhats.com
Also I am currently still on active duty (10yrs).
Thanks for any help !

 

Any Union carpenters out there care to comment?

 

Why Alaska?? Ain't it kinda cold there 11.5 months of the year??

 

Can help you much about Alaska, my Dad was a Union Carpenter in Philadelphia for 34 years.

Closer to big cities is usually better for all Union trades, more work, more polotics, less Mom & Pop type outfits to compete for the bigger jobs, etc.

The "local" locals will only have an interest in you if they can place you and begin to collect dues right away. Most halls are run the same way, if they are busy they will woo you, if not they'll just preach to you how much better it is to unite and how valuable a book is.

I saw many a' Iron Worker go Union when the gettin was good only to be dumped as soon as a huge job was over. Some of them never even topped out the only building they ever set foot on.


Good Luck.

 

While some of the above is true, the reasons given are a bit biased. When there is no work because of an economic slowdown or crash, there is no work for anywone period union or not. Right now in Denver the non union guys are comming into the hall looking for work thinking that the hall has it all and the truth is that the whole state is hurting for construction work. Construction is a feast or famine type of work. You have to save your money for the slow times or you end up being the guy who sells everything he owns for cash right now to try to pay off the notes. Personally I would not work non union because of the way that most outfits treat their rank and file employees. Sure there are some good companies out there, but they are hard to find. You can't beat the training you get from a union apprenticeship. If you put in the effort you will learn to be the best. Unionism is a way of life, if you are going to be a union member then act like one. That means that you produce quality work and lots of it. Give them a days work for a days pay and you will be on the job long after the lazy hands are gone.

 

If construction is what you want to do thats a good place to start [ training ect.]
I would suggest that you start in a state/local that you plan on being for some time , becouse if you change locals before a set time , you;ll lose those hrs .
At least thats what I found out to late , may not be that way now or whatever technical ???

 

Why AK.....obviously you have never been there. Check my gallery for the pic of the mountains with the rainbow in it. That was from my driveway when I lived there all to long ago. If you like the outdoors: fishing, hunting, camping. 4 wheeling (atv's or trucks), snowmachines (snowmobiles) and things I've never gotten into: skiing, mushing (dogsledding) and many other activitys to occupy your time & wallet.
All that aside, thanks guys for the input. We really can't wait to get back. I just want to make it work when we do go. I'm SICK of the military office job with no end in sight. "A long day workin' your butt off is better than kissin' one in an office" is a quote I've heard, and I totally agree with.
So, rammtuff where do you reside?....nuthin in your profile'....let me guess....Florida....no wait....Texas. Ever been to AK??????????????????????? If ya think it's cold 11.5 months per year, don't bother going, you'll just be taking up valuable space and fish