It’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) in the United States! This year’s celebration is Nov. 17-23, 2024, and marks the tenth annual celebration of its kind. But did you know that some of your FP&M coworkers are apprentices?
An apprenticeship is a structured four- or five-year training program consisting of 90% on-the-job paid training and 10% classroom instruction. When the apprentices complete their programs, they will be State of Wisconsin skilled trades card carriers. These programs provide a hands-on approach to learning, allowing apprentices to gain necessary skills and industry knowledge, which makes them valuable assets to FP&M.
“Apprenticeships are filling the skilled trade gaps where all employers are finding a deficit; they grow our talent from the ground up. UW apprenticeships offer incredible opportunities that other apprentices do not get to experience on the job.”
-Corey Popp, Apprenticeship Program Manager
FP&M’s apprenticeship program started in 2023 and currently offers nine apprenticeships in five different trades at Physical Plant. These State Registered Apprenticeship programs support UW by developing a highly skilled workforce and creating pathways to catapult these individuals into great careers at UW.
Meet FP&M’s apprentices
Say hello to our apprentices the next time you see them. Read on to hear one apprentice’s perspective in the Q&A below.
Q&A with an FP&M Apprentice
For National Apprenticeship Week, Painter Apprentice Peng Lor took a moment to share his experience in the program and at Physical Plant with Kate Reuscher, Marketing & Communications Strategic Communications intern.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about how you became an apprentice at FP&M and what it’s like?
A: It’s been about a year now that I’ve been a painter apprentice, since I started Sept. 11, 2023. So far, I’ve really liked shadowing another professional painter and the opportunity to have someone supervise what I do a bit. Painting seems easy enough but actually doing it requires skill and there’s theory behind learning how to paint walls.
Q: That’s so interesting. What are some projects you’ve worked on?
A: A big part of the job is repainting staff rooms when offices are changing around campus. We tone up the space by adding a new coat and touch up holes from nails or screws. This past summer, we also re-wallpapered 17 classrooms in Grainger Hall, which is part of a painter’s job too. I had no prior experience as a painter before this, so it’s been a bit of a learning curve, but prior to this I did graphic design and painted murals, so I still had some relevant experience.
Q: What made you want to go into this apprenticeship program?
A: My undergraduate degree was in graphic design, but I chose to stay for grad school for control and safety management, meaning I would make sure companies abided by OSHA standards. But when I finished my graduate degree, I started working in an office and realized I don’t like conferences or the corporate world. I just wasn’t happy and needed a change, and this program gave me that.
Q: That’s great to hear! Can you tell me some things you’ve learned or gained from this apprenticeship?
A: I’ve definitely gained an appreciation and patience for the process of painting. As simple as it sounds there’s a process to it that makes it efficient. I really enjoy working on the quality aspect of it and trusting the process. It’s also nice to still be mentored over time, because the painter apprentices last four years.
Q: What do you appreciate about your mentors, specifically?
A: There are multiple mentors, who are all titled journeymen or journey workers. We get paired up with a different mentor on various projects depending on skills, whether it’s brush and roll or wallpapering. It’s cool because we get paired up with someone new at least every other week.
A lot of my mentors have similar stories to mine — some of them came from a background where the trades wasn’t in their initial plan or path, but it’s been cool hearing what made them stick with the trades. While we paint, we talk and share knowledge and stories, and I’ve enjoyed being able to work alongside people to build relationships with my coworkers.
Q: What are some difficult parts of your job and how do you deal with them?
A: I’d say the biggest challenge is learning how to use new tools and new methods. I know everything takes practice, but it’s tough not knowing how long it will take to perfect or to earn the “journeymen” title. Still, it’s great experience and I’m really grateful.