We took on eleven apprentices this spring

Eleven apprentices joined the crews this spring, across three yards. How the programme works and why we keep paying for it.

Eleven apprentices started with us this spring, spread across the Portland, Boise and Spokane yards. All eleven are paid from day one and all eleven are on crews, not in a classroom.

How it works

Four years, paid, with the licence exam at the end.
Every apprentice is assigned to one foreman rather than rotated between crews.
Roof time from week two, under supervision, on live projects.

Why we keep doing it

Every crew on our payroll is our own. Subcontracting the install would be cheaper this quarter and more expensive every quarter after, because the standard walks off site with the sub.

Nine of our fourteen current foremen came through the programme. That is the whole argument.