The Hawai‘i Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2024 in November with a tour of its training facility in Kapolei, highlighting the organization’s critical role in preparing a skilled workforce for Hawai‘i’s construction industry.
Coordinated by the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the event drew more than 100 participants, including state and county officials, industry leaders, educators and workforce development advocates.
The tour demonstrated how HCATF’s programs equip apprentices with practical skills, hands-on training and industry-relevant knowledge to meet the demands of modern construction.
“Apprenticeship programs are a critical tool for building our state’s infrastructure and providing workers with the skills needed to thrive in one of our state’s most vital sectors,” HCATF Executive Director Edmund Aczon said in a release. “Our newest facility also allows us to train millwrights, a growing specialty that is essential to the clean energy sector.”
HCATF has trained more than 3,000 apprentices who have advanced to careers with the Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters. The program offers nearly 20 courses that emphasize industry best practices and job site safety in an effort to support Hawai‘i’s construction workforce as the state continues to experience high demand for building projects.
DLIR Director Jade Butay emphasized the importance of apprenticeship programs in shaping Hawai‘i’s economic future.
“Apprenticeships in the building trades help to ensure that workers gain the practical skills, hands-on experience that is critical in today’s rapidly evolving construction industry and the tour offers a chance to see how apprenticeship programs are not only preparing individuals for the workforce but are also key to supporting the growth of our state’s infrastructure,” he said in the release.
In addition to its registered apprenticeship program, HCATF’s Career Connections initiative engages high school and middle school students, introducing them to careers in the construction trades. Since its inception in 2017, more than 18,000 students have participated, with many gaining direct entry into apprenticeship programs.
This year, HCATF expanded its outreach by partnering with the state Department of Public Safety to offer a six-week apprenticeship training course at correctional facilities, providing opportunities for participants to transition into meaningful careers.
“As we evolve and expand our programs, we want to ensure a healthy workforce for our contractors and attract a diverse and sustainable labor market while offering a viable career option,” Aczon said.
To learn more about the HCATF’s apprenticeship opportunities, go to hicarpenterstraining.com.
