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Trade Work is Work You Wont Trade Once You Find Your Fit 1The Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania will present their Build On: Careers in Construction and Allied Industries event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The two-day event will run from November 17th – 18th, and aims to help students, parents, and others seeking careers to gain a better understanding of career opportunities in the union construction, energy, manufacturing, and utility industries fields as well as the technical skills needed to advance in these industries in the coming years. The events are free of charge. 

While the first day of the event is exclusively for students, counselors, teachers, and administrators from local school districts, the event on Saturday, November 18 is open to the public. From 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, the Builder’s Guild aims to raise awareness of the highly skilled, technical jobs that will build and sustain a new Pittsburgh region middle class for the next generation.  

Representatives from union construction and other apprenticeship and training programs, pre-apprenticeship programs and regional two-year degree programs in various construction disciplines will be available to discuss educational programs for those who are interested. 

The event is presented in cooperation with The CNX Foundation and Partner4Work. 

For more information on the event, click here. 

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Starting a new career can be thrilling, challenging, and can often create a feeling of uncertainty not knowing what to expect. For Eric Strafalace, it was a mix of everything. We sat down with Eric of the Pennsylvania Laborers' District Council to talk about his transition from restaurant work into the trades. Learn why making the switch was the right decision for him! 

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BuildOn2023PhotoA successful weekend of Build On is in the books! Thousands visited over the two-day event to see first-hand what a career in the trades can offer. So many young people are looking for an alternative to the rising cost of college and The Builders Guild of Western PA is proud to offer many promising options.

We'd like to thank all of the building trades members for their on-site contribution.

The event was presented in cooperation with The CNX Foundation and Partner4Work.

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Insulators IMG 3517Becoming a union member has multiple benefits, but deciding which trade is most suitable for individual needs is no easy feat. Some members begin their trade journey out of high school, others decide on a career change, and some start with one trade and move to another.

Coming from a family of trade people, Willie Rennebeck of Ross Township was no stranger to its benefits. He reflects on the process that is similar in all trades. The first step is applying for your apprenticeship. Rennebeck took his apprenticeship with the Insulators, Local 2, after twelve years in the Laborers 1058 union, ready to make a change. “I learned a lot because it was so organized, the classroom was efficient, and I learned a lot from the instructors as I transitioned to become a journeyman.”

For Local 2, it is a four-year apprenticeship that consists of both field work and regular training center hours with instructors to learn the more intricate training. “I enjoy the ability of getting creative and showing the skill and craftsmanship of our trade,” said Rennebeck. He added that the best part of any job in the trades is “seeing a bridge or a building and knowing I helped build that.”

Now that Rennebeck has been a part of the Insulators Union for seven years, he appreciates the benefits that come with being with Local 2. “If you’re weighing union work against non-union, it’s the total package that includes pension, annuity plan, and healthcare. I also know that I have union representation to protect my rights as a worker”.

Beyond the benefits to your career, he also mentioned the community that being a member can add to the job. “The insulators are a very small, tight-knit group with only around 500 members, but we have well-attended monthly meetings and a much-awaited union Christmas party. I might be the only one on a job sight but the little things the union puts on are fun to connect with other insulators.”

Local 2 is always looking forward to the next generation of tradesmen and building the core brother and sisterhood. Rennebeck has his own advice.

“When you’re new and learning the trade, you need to ask questions. There are so many journeymen that are willing to give advice. Some people might have a different technique but learning them and finding what works best for you is important.”

Willie Rennebeck is proud to be with Local #2 and the family of skilled tradesmen that call it home.