Union apprenticeships – and union jobs – are excellent pathways to fulfilment.
Members of the Hawaii Ports Maritime Council conveyed that message Jan. 31 at the Ka’u, Kea’au, Pahoa (KKP) Complex Area Summit for Teachers, Staff and Students. Upwards of 300 schools from the “Big Island” were represented at the gathering.
Presenters from the port council included IUEC Local 126, IBEW Local 1186, the IBU, SUP, MFOW, SIU, and Hawaii State AFL-CIO. This is believed to have been the first time that unions were invited to a state-sponsored Department of Education event to share information about career avenues and apprenticeship/vocational training options within the maritime, building and construction trades.
Other participating unions included Plumbers & Fitters Local 675, IUPAT District Council 50, the Floor Layers & Glaziers, and IATSE Local 685. Speaking for the apprenticeship/vocational programs were representatives from the National Elevator Industry Educational Program Region, Hawaii Electricians Training Program, Tongue Point Job Corps Center, and Marimed Foundation.
The summit included a keynote address by Nainoa Thompson, Master Navigator and President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, along with various breakout sessions featuring dynamic speakers and key topics from national, state, and local community agencies, as well as Hawaii’s own Complex Area and school educators.