2. Why is it in the interest of union-Sponsored occupational training programs to seek and receive WIA funding?

For Union Apprenticeship Programs

Historically, union-registered apprenticeship programs have been funded through a payroll-based system and developed and managed by industry or occupational labor-management committees. More and more, however, unions and their management partners have determined that there are good reasons to use public investments to strengthen their joint training programs and to discourage public dollars from supporting low-road training programs.

Union Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee’s (JATC), in a variety of crafts and industries, have integrated WIA funds with their apprenticeship programs in a number of different ways.  Each JATC can determine how it is most comfortable using these public dollars. Models range from using Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) to cover “tuition” costs for apprenticeship programs, to using funds from the LWIB to purchase supplies, books, tools, and additional instructors.  In some instances, JATC’s have decided to apply for and use WIA funds to expand the number of apprentices they could enroll based on their regular budgets. Some JATC’s have used WIA dollars to subsidize their normal projected operating costs. Click here for an example of a successful union apprenticeship program in Georgia. (See Attachment B below.)

For Union-Sponsored Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

Pre-apprenticeship programs that refer “students” to union apprenticeship programs have historically been funded by public dollars, charitable contributions, and/or tuition systems.   Occasionally, unions have financially supported these pre-apprenticeship programs or even run them. In most cases however, unions and their JATC’s are partners to these programs.  Funding for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs can come from Local Workforce Investment Boards or the Governor’s 15% Discretionary Fund.  Click here for two examples of pre-apprenticeship programs that work with union apprenticeship programs.  (See Attachment C below.)

For Union-Sponsored Journey-level Upgrade Training

Union apprenticeship graduates can continue their education in order to broaden their skills, keep abreast of changes in the industry, and increase their employability through Journey-level training.  Journey-level training is necessary for individuals to expand their skills in their trade and usually results in a special certification of competency in a trade or craft.  The Governor’s 15% Discretionary Fund can be a good financial resource for Journey-level training.  Though training programs seeking funding from the 15% Discretionary Fund under WIA are not legally required to be listed on the Statewide List of Eligible Training Providers, it is recommended that interested programs become certified as eligible.  Click here for an example of a union-sponsored journey-level upgrade training program in West Virginia.  (See Attachment D below).

For Union-Sponsored (Non-Apprenticeship) Occupational Training Programs

WIA funding can be used for union-sponsored occupational training programs that are not classified as apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or journey-level training programs.  Funding for these occupational training programs can come from the Governor’s 15% Discretionary Fund or from Local Workforce Investment Boards.  Click here for an example of a successful non-apprenticeship program in Texas.  (See Attachment E below.) .

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Attachment B

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SUCCESS STORY IN GEORGIA

The trades’ training programs along the coast of Southeast Georgia have received public funds for their apprentices. Once the Coastal Workforces Services Board (the Local WIB covering Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia) learned about the opportunities to invest in world-class training, they moved quickly to invest in building and construction trades unions’ and their employers’ apprenticeship programs.  

The partnership started when the joint labor-management committees of the UA and IBEW connected their apprenticeship programs to the workforce system to enhance their training—paying for books, instructors and equipment, and covering the out-of-pocket expense for apprentices.  The partnership relies on a system of participant training vouchers, which are similar to ITAs but are based on contracts for service.  The LWIB has agreed to cover the expenses of half of the apprentices annually admitted into the JATC programs; the JATC finances the other half. 

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ATTACHMENT C:

PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SUCCESS STORIES

Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW)

For more than 30 years, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) has trained hundreds of women and placed them in careers in the skilled construction, utility, and maintenance trades, helping women achieve economic independence and a secure future. NEW will train 500 women in 2009 alone.   NEW primarily serves low-income minority women from all five boroughs in New York City.  These careers enable NEW graduates to provide a secure future for themselves and their families. 

The number of women construction workers in New York City has grown substantially as a result of a coordinated effort among NEW, labor unions , contractors, and government.  With a commitment by these partners to place women in 10% of all new apprenticeship slots, over 550 recent NEW graduates have found work as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, painters, ironworkers, operating engineers, and sheet metal workers.  An additional 225 women have found careers in the energy, transportation, and facilities maintenance industries.  These women are changing their lives and the skyline of New York City.

In 2001, NEW received funding for three years from their Local Workforce Investment Board.  In 2004, their three-year contract ended without renewal.  NEW is currently applying to both their Local Workforce Investment Board and their State Workforce Investment Board for both local and state WIA funding. 

Currently, NEW offers two, free core training programs, Blue Collar Prep and NEW at Night.  Blue Collar Prep is a six-week daytime program for unemployed women.  NEW at Night is a six-week evening program for working women, many of whom are underemployed.  NEW conducts training cycles continually throughout the year in order to meet the recruitment demands of employers and union apprenticeship programs.  NEW’s comprehensive, innovative curriculum, developed in collaboration with union apprenticeship directors and employers, includes basic hands-on shop classes in carpentry, electrical work, and painting, lifting and carrying, trades math, and health and safety training.  NEW is adding a green training program, ReNEW, later in 2009

Contact:  Amy Peterson
President, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW)
243 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
Email: apeterson@new-nyc.org
Phone: (646) 257-5224

San Diego Building and Construction Trades

In the past, the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council have received funding from the Governor’s 15% WIA Discretionary Fund for their pre-apprenticeship program called JobLinks, which connects students to a variety of careers in the trades.  The program consists of 96 hours each of classroom instruction and hands-on, paid training that prepares students for exams and interviews necessary to enter an apprenticeship program.

Contact: Tom Lemmon
San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
3737 Camino del Rio South, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92108
Email: tomlemmon@sdbctc.org
Phone: (619) 521-2914

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ATTACHMENT D:

A JOURNEY-LEVEL TRAINING SUCCESS STORY IN WEST VIRGINIA

Starting in 2001, Construction Works of West Virginia, run by the West Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, helped upgrade the skills of more than 150 of its members after receiving support from statewide WIA funds from the Governor’s 15% Discretionary Fund.  Noting that the trades council had trained 50 more workers than the initial grant had sought, Governor Bob Wise renewed the program in 2002 for another two years with $600,000 in additional funding for journey-level upgrade training. 

Over the years, Construction Works has consistently outperformed other training programs in the state and has consistently over-delivered on training commitments.  Using funds from the Workforce Investment Act System has enabled Construction Works to train hundreds of incumbent workers to upgrade their skills.  With technological changes and emerging industry sectors, it is important to provide additional training for current workers so they can be part of a cutting-edge workforce.

Working directly with existing apprenticeship and journeymen training programs from craft affiliates, Construction Works has a flexible needs-driven journey-level training curriculum.  They determine their curriculum based on workers’ and industry needs.  Classes have ranged from lead abatement, asbestos removal, and welding.  Construction Works plans to expand its classes to include solar PV installation, green and living roofs, green materials handling, and energy efficient HVAC installation.

Contact: Sheryl Johnson
Construction Works of West Virginia, Inc.
600 Leon Sullivan Way
First Floor
Charleston, WV  25301          
Email: sheryljohnson@wvsbt.org
Phone: (304) 346-7745

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ATTACHMENT E:

A NON-APPRENTICESHIP OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY IN TEXAS

The Community Learning Center, Inc., is a private, non-profit organization founded in 2000 by leaders of the Tarrant County Central Labor Council “to provide model educational, training, and placement services that lead to better jobs and careers for Texans who need and want them most through labor partnerships with industry, business, government, schools, and community organizations.”  Toward this end, it operates a number of workforce development programs for unemployed and underemployed workers, including dislocated workers, individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, youth offenders, and persons from low-income backgrounds.

CLC, Inc. successfully fulfills its mission through the North Central Texas Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Industry Training Partnership, which is made up of representatives from industry , labor unions , Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs) , Tarrant County College, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, Texas Workforce Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, and United Way of Tarrant County.

Local area Workforce Investment Boards serve as a primary source of referrals to CLC, Inc.  They also provide funding and support to cover supportive services, transportation, and childcare assistance for WIA-eligible program participants. 

Industry partners assist CLC, Inc. in developing training qualifications and curriculum materials, and also provide CLC, Inc. trainees preferential interviews for job placement.  CLC, Inc., provides the recruitment, screening, case management, training, and job placement and retention services needed to prepare and successfully place individuals in employment in the region.

CLC, Inc., currently operates occupational skills training programs in the areas of Structural Aircraft Assembly, Composite Bonding, Aerospace Manufacturing, Welding, and Machining, each involving 160 to 280 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in a virtual factory environment.  It also runs MSSC computer-based training programs for Certified Production Technicians, Certified Logistics Associates, and Certified Logistics Technicians.  Although the majority of the trainees in these programs are dislocated workers, some of whom have manufacturing experience, many trainees come from other types of employment backgrounds.

Contact: Angela Traiforos
Executive Director, Community Learning Center
6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 600
Fort Worth, TX 76116
Email: atraiforos@clcinc.org  
Phone: 817-569-9008 ext. 22

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