The building trades have always believed in earning your way into the craft. Our apprenticeship programs are among the most rigorous and respected workforce development pathways in the country — combining hands-on field training with classroom instruction to produce journeyworkers who are safe, skilled, and ready for any challenge a job site can throw at them.

The NWI Building & Construction Trades Council and our 31 affiliate unions operate apprenticeship programs across every major construction craft in the region. These programs are earn-while-you-learn: apprentices receive competitive wages from day one, graduate debt-free, and enter the middle class without the burden of student loans. We are proud to open these pathways to women, veterans, minorities, and anyone willing to put in the work. As Northwest Indiana grows — with data centers, infrastructure investments, and major industrial projects on the horizon — the demand for skilled tradespeople will only increase. Investing in apprenticeship and workforce development is not just good for workers; it is essential to the region’s economic future.