Kaukauna, WI – The United Association Local 400, the region’s pipe‑trades union, announced a historic surge in its apprenticeship enrollment for the 2026 training year. With 139 first‑year apprentices, the program saw a roughly 40% increase over the prior year, pushing the overall apprentice count to just under 500 across its five‑year tracks.
Why the Spike?
Training director David Brazzale credited several factors for the boom. “Our fabrication apprenticeship program is really booming,” Brazzale said, noting that local fabricators are experiencing a surge in work. “We’re at 44 first‑year apprentices just with the fabricators, and on any given week we’re running about 90 apprentices through the weld shop.”
Two fourth‑year apprentices, Ayden Killam and Preston Miller, echoed the sentiment that the rising cost of a traditional college education is steering more young adults toward the trades. The Education Data Initiative reports the average annual cost of college in the United States approaching $40,000, a figure that many families find prohibitive.
Financial Benefits of Apprenticeships
Unlike a college pathway, apprentices earn a wage while they learn, allowing them to avoid debt and build savings early in their careers. Killam described the appeal: “There’s a lot of expenses to it. I don’t know, just the thought of being in debt and starting off your life in debt is a scary thing.” The same data source highlighted that a bachelor’s degree yields a 560% lifetime return on investment, but that calculation assumes graduates can secure high‑paying positions without incurring debt.
Job Security in a Changing Economy
Miller added that concerns about automation are prompting many to consider skilled‑trade work as a stable alternative. “It definitely wasn’t on my mind as much as it is now with it progressing through the last couple of years. But I know that the pipe trades will always be there,” he said.
Both apprentices expressed no regrets about their choice. Killam noted, “I helped a lot of people out in this trade. I made a lot of great connections, met a lot of people, found a lot of cool places and different job sites. So, absolutely no regrets for getting into the trades.”
Community Impact
Beyond personal benefits, the apprentices are giving back. Last week, Killam, Miller, and fellow trainees built tiny homes in Green Bay for veterans in need, demonstrating the union’s commitment to community service.
The record enrollment underscores a broader trend: more high school graduates and career‑changers are turning to skilled‑trade pathways that combine on‑the‑job training, steady wages, and long‑term job security. Local businesses are welcoming the influx of talent, which helps meet the growing demand for skilled pipe‑fitters and welders in the region’s construction and manufacturing sectors.
Looking Ahead
Brazzale expects the upward trajectory to continue as the union expands outreach to high schools and career‑counselors. “We’re focused on showing students that there’s a viable, rewarding career path right here in our community,” he said.
With the apprenticeship pipeline strengthening, UA Local 400 aims to sustain the momentum, ensuring that the next generation of skilled workers is ready to meet the region’s infrastructure and industrial needs.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
