MERCED, California, March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Merced Community College and the local Workforce Development Board, in partnership with Laborers’ Local 1130 (Modesto), celebrated their first Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program graduation on Friday, March 17, 2017.
The Merced Community College is now offering a 6-week Infrastructure Construction Training Program aimed at creating a career pathway into the heavy-highway and construction industry for local, low income, disadvantaged and veteran Merced County residents. Completion of this 6 week program will provide a direct entry opportunity into the state registered Laborers’ Union Apprenticeship Program. These types of pre-apprenticeship programs offer a career pathway that provide for living wages and benefits.
According to Laborers’ Local 1130 Business Manager David J. Gorgas, “The demand for skilled workers is at an all-time high for union construction work throughout the Central Valley.” With the Passage of Measure V on November, 2016 ($450M over 30 years/$15M additional annually to Merced County infrastructure projects); the UC Merced 2020 Project/Webcor Local Hire efforts ($800M in construction costs over 4 years-$1.6B in total) and water infrastructure projects within the region, a skilled workforce is in strong demand.
These types of innovative pre-apprenticeship programs are geared towards meeting that demand and are supported by forward thinking public leaders. “I want to thank Laborers’ Local 1130 for the program that they put together here in Merced County jointly with the Community College as well as the Merced County Workforce Development Board,” said Jerry O’Banion, Merced County Supervisor D-5. O’Banion goes on to say, “It’s amazing we have an organization that works to put together and give training to individuals to further their education. I think it’s great that we are providing local people from Merced County the training to be able to do the construction jobs that are needed, especially those at the UC Merced 2020 Project.”
Working together as a team, this innovative program has been viewed favorably by public leaders and the community. “This program tackles an essential need for any community – a skilled and educated workforce. I look forward to working with the Laborers’ Union in the future and hopeful to expand the training offerings so our young people can thrive and build a strong Merced.” said Matt Serratto, City of Merced Council Member D-5.
Future pre-apprenticeship programs are planned. For more information on dates and times, please contact Tony Castillo at (925) 828-2513.
With over 35,000 Laborers members and 1,700 signatory employers strong, the Northern California District Council of Laborers is on the forefront of the construction industry – a powerhouse of workers and employers that are proud to build Northern California.
