There is little argument that it’s critical for young people in Toronto to understand how to maximize their earning potential by getting involved in careers that will challenge them and suit their skill sets. But youths should also be taught about the opportunities that come from being involved in unions. After all, many teens and those early in adulthood may not realize that unions can assist them in launching their careers.
Union Jobs: A Gateway to Success for the Young
One of the most attractive qualities that union jobs hold for young people is that they present so many possibilities for success. This doesn’t just mean financial success, but societal and personal success as well.
Case in point: Take the IUPAT, a union whose members include a wide variety of tradespeople including painters, drywall finishers, glaziers, Hazmat workers and metal technicians. When these members are just starting out in the workforce, IUPAT assists them by:
- Providing options for on-the-job and classroom training. IUPAT can partner members with the right schools for their growth.
- Providing options for apprenticeships. After getting some knowledge under their belts, IUPAT members can feel good about taking the first step into a career because they know they’ll be connected with mentors who can point them in the right direction.
- Providing added benefits after they get their first jobs. Members who join the workforce, after completing their apprenticeship, are often surprised by the many benefits they retain as members in a union. These may include health insurance benefits and legal assistance.
How to Help Youth Find Support in Unions
If you know of a young person who is interested in joining a trade, why not introduce him or her to the IUPAT? It might just be the start of an incredible relationship that can take him or her to higher and higher levels of expertise.
To find out additional information about young people and the IUPAT in the Toronto or Ontario area, please give IUPAT a phone call at (416) 630-9604.
