“It was great. I started getting paid, which was awesome," she says. “It was an intense program, but absolutely worth it."
One of the many benefits of apprenticeship programs is that students get to “earn while they learn," and their salaries increase as they gain more experience. In the Operating Engineers program, typical annual pay for the first-year ranges from $16,000 to $40,000, increasing from $40,000 to $81,000 annually after three to four years.
In Orange County, Santiago Canyon College (SCC) has become a leader in apprenticeship programs, offering more than any other community college in the region. In conjunction with various employers and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, SCC's extensive list of offerings includes:
- Carpentry – Acoustical Tile, Drywall/Lather, Drywall Finisher, Plastering
- Carpentry – Concrete, Finish Carpentry, Framing, Tilt-up
- Carpentry – Millwright
- Carpentry – Pile Driver
- Cosmetology
- Electrician – Inside Wireman, Sound Installer
- Maintenance Mechanic and Electrician
- Operating Engineers – Heavy Equipment Operator, Heavy Duty Repair, Inspection, Rock Products Industry
- Power Lineman
- Surveying – Survey Chainman, Chief of Party
Programs are offered as a partnership between local unions, who provide the experts and jobs, and SCC, which is responsible for accrediting the curriculum and instructors. The Operating Engineers Training Trust program is offered in partnership with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12. Students work at their approved job site Monday through Friday, then attend a training program, which is built around accredited curriculum, at one of six sites on Saturdays.
Gadberry started as an apprentice inspector and during her apprenticeship was dispatched to numerous jobs, including construction on two segments of the Metro Light Rail in Los Angeles. Eventually, she would go on to become a teacher in the program where she works today. Not surprisingly, one of her goals is supporting and encouraging non-traditional tradespeople, and especially women, to apply for the program.
“As long as you're OK with being dirty and working hard and working with your hands, I think as a woman you can do just as well in this career," says Gadberry.
Like the Operating Engineers Training Trust, SCC's extensive carpentry apprenticeships lead to careers in carpentry and a variety of related fields in the construction industry, from acoustical installer to terrazzo finisher.
Louis Ontiveros, executive director of the Southwest Carpenters Training Fund (which works with SCC to offer these apprenticeships), lists three key reasons why someone should consider going into the carpentry field: “Jobs, wages, and benefits."
Carpentry apprentices earn $17.78 an hour their first year, increasing to $44.44 an hour after a student reaches journeyman status in four years. Ontiveros notes that this can add up to as much as $189,000 in total wages (or $326,000 if you include benefits) over their four years as an apprentice.
“You're learning your trade," says Ontiveros. “With all that knowledge, there's a lot of things you can do with it." As if those benefits weren't enough, apprentices are not charged for their education and training. Ontiveros, who worked in construction for 31 years, says the field can be a great career for many. “It's hard work. It's dangerous work. But it can be very fruitful," he says. “We don't work in an office. You go from one job to the next and it's always something new. You work with your hands, and I loved it."
Like SCC's carpentry apprenticeships, the Operating Engineers Training Trust program is extremely popular amongst prospective students. Its application period opens about every two years and according to Director of Training Larry Hopkins, it typically receives more than 5,000 applications for a program that has about 700 spots. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made this demand grow.
Normally, the program would be opening its applications again in early 2022 but testing of the last round of applicants was slowed because of the pandemic. As of this writing, another round of testing isn't planned until January 2023, although the program is considering offering open applications.
“The trades aren't for everybody, but they work for a lot of people," says Hopkins. “The earn-while-you-learn model is really hard to beat."
To learn more, visit the SCC Business and Career Education website by clicking HERE or call (714) 628-4888.
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About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) is one of two colleges in the Rancho Santiago Community College District and serves approximately 16,000 students annually. Accredited in 2000, this dynamic and award-winning institution is located in Southern California, in the city of Orange, and provides an array of educational opportunities to the over 195,000 residents comprising the eclectic community. SCC offers 221 degree and certificate programs (including 28 associate degrees for transfer). SCC has been ranked among the “50 Best Community Colleges" in the U.S. by College Choice, recognized multiple times by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of “The Great Colleges to Work For," received Gold-level status as a Military Friendly School®, and boasts award-winning, dedicated faculty, high-quality and student-centered education, and has an excellent university transfer rate supported by transfer-guarantee programs. www.sccollege.edu
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