b'TRAINING & EDUCATIONJeffOcchipintiscompany,Whitesaid,luckily,theco-op ColumbiaRiverTile&Stone,hasseenmorepotentialappren-Inc.,hadinvestedinoneofthetices interested in and interviewing apprenticesthatlefttheprogram.for the program. He says sponsor Unfortunately,wedidhaveoneAssociated Builders and Contractors personintheyear-oneprogram,(ABC) Pacifi c Northwest is to thank andtheyleftourcompanyafterfor some of the interest, noting the having invested the time and moneyorganizationhasbeeninstrumen-into them to enter the apprentice- talinrecruitingpeopleintothe shipprogram,Occhipintisaid.program. ABC is super active, he This is just one of the unfortunateexplained. They are at every trade things that happen when you makeshow, high school career day, and an investment in someone. women-in-trades career fairs. And Columbia River Tile & Stone doessinceABCsponsorsmorethan have a vetting process for potentialjust tile, they are able to feel out apprentices. It hires them on a pro- the prospects and see which trade bationary basis to see if they willwould be a good fi t for the person.be a good fi t for the company priorThe co-op members are still evolv-toinvestingintheireducationiningtheprogram. Whiteexplained the apprenticeship program. that last year, the co-op had a coop-Apprentices constructing shower pans.62 TileLetter | November 2019'