Nearly 200 new journeymen carpenters celebrated their accomplishments when the Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund held a Journeymen Recognition Ceremony in Kapolei on June 1.

The newly graduated class includes 11 students from Kaua‘i, 22 from Maui County, 13 from Hawai‘i island and 146 from O‘ahu. They comprise a total of 159 carpenters and 33 drywall workers who will help meet crucial manpower needs for current and future construction projects statewide.

According to HCATF, it takes about four or five years for a student to complete the program, which includes 500 to 600 hours of classroom instruction along with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, providing graduates with superior craft knowledge and essential leadership and communication skills to not only enhance their own careers, but also positively impact future generations of apprentices.

“Construction continues to be an important sector for our local economy,” Edmund Aczon, HCATF executive director, said in a news release. “Bringing in this new class of highly skilled journeymen is crucial for meeting current and future building needs across Hawai‘i, while also providing our laborers with viable career options to earn a living wage.”

HCATF is a collaborative effort between the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, General Contractors Labor Association, Building Industry Labor Association, Wall and Ceiling Industry Association of Hawaii, the University of Hawai‘i, the State of Hawai‘i and the U.S. Government, which collectively provides funding, guidance, training and industry insight necessary to ensure the apprenticeship program’s success.

“We’re extremely proud of these journeymen,” says Aczon. “They exemplify the quality workmanship and professionalism our industry demands.”

For more information about HCATF and its programs, visit hicarpenterstraining.com.