SCRANTON, Pa. — "We build America, ok? We build America."
Creating a pipeline for pipe fitters and plumbers, Governor Shapiro making a stop at Scranton's United Association Local Union 524 to bolster the area's local union trades.
"To me, if you're in 10th or 11th grade and you're turned on by being a welder. Then we should celebrate that and treat that career path with the same respect as someone going to the University of Scranton," said Governor Shapiro.
The governor signed a budget over the summer allocating nearly $24 million to build up vo-tech programs across Pennsylvania... guiding kids toward the trades early.
Local 524 apprentice, Cole Barbacci, says he went to college for four years before finally finding his true passion.
"It would've saved me a lot of money to go this route originally. But, as you go through the apprenticeship, you go up the pay scale, second through 5th year. and it's nice getting paid to learn. I wish I had that opportunity and the awareness of the
Nearly $6 million is also going toward apprenticeship programs across the state, like the one at Local 524. The union represents more than 800 members employed by Mechanical and Plumbing contractors across northeastern Pennsylvania. James Switzer is another apprentice in the program.
"Without people doing these trades, no One would be building anything. We can't all be sitting at a desk or be doctors. There needs to be people building things, and supporting that kind of infrastructure," Switzer said.
The Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor, Nancy Walker, says these programs lead to well-paying careers.
"Somebody who graduates from an apprenticeship training program, earns on average the day they graduates earns $80,000 a year. Being a mother of a daughter who graduated with a with a 4-year college degree, I can tell you she is not making$80,000 a year," she states.
These steps, a push toward breaking the stigma of college. Building back- the next generation of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania's blue-collar workers.
"I got into it, and I love it. I love the structure, I love the training, the guys here the camaraderie. It's amazing," said 3rd year apprentice, Anthony Farrell.