Building Skilled Workers Through Apprenticeships with Nick Nunnery

Today, I’m talking with Nick Nunnery about his work in economic development, focusing on apprenticeships and tourism in West Virginia. Nick explains that his team helps businesses set up apprenticeships across various industries, from unions and non-unions to service and manufacturing. They also help train employees in the tourism sector to better serve the state’s guests.

I find the apprenticeship approach fascinating, especially given the current challenges with finding skilled workers. Nick confirms that apprenticeships are essential for building these skills. While formal education like college is valuable, hands-on learning through apprenticeships provides the practical experience many workers need. Nick describes how apprenticeships blend classroom training, on-the-job learning, and mentorship.

We also discuss how apprenticeships have been around for centuries, dating back to historical figures like Paul Revere and Ben Franklin. However, today, there’s a renewed focus on apprenticeships, particularly in Europe, where countries like Germany lead the way in engineering and skilled trades. Nick points out that apprenticeships help young people gain years of experience by the time they reach adulthood.

The conversation shifts to the challenges people face with traditional schooling, including the high cost of education and the resulting student debt. Nick highlights how many graduates end up with significant debt, while apprenticeships offer an alternative where people can start earning and gaining experience sooner.

Nick also touches on how apprenticeships apply to the tourism industry. With over 5,000 registered apprenticeships nationwide, these programs are adaptable to various sectors, including hospitality and resort management. Nick explains that young people can enter tourism apprenticeships and, within a couple of years, be running their own resort, making a decent salary.

To wrap up, Nick shares how people can get involved with apprenticeships or set them up for their businesses through the West Virginia Economic Development Office. It’s clear that apprenticeships offer a practical, affordable path to success for many, especially in today’s changing job market.

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