HARVEY, Mich. (WZMQ) – Two local unions have combined to draw over $1 million into their training programs, looking to expand services, equipment, and jobs for the Upper Peninsula.
The grants come from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Central U.P. Planning and Development. The combination includes Local 8 Ironworkers’ Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) and Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2, who use Local 8’s training grounds in Harvey.
Local 8 was awarded with $801,598, and Local 2 with a matching grant of $200,399, bringing a total of $1,001,997 to the facility.
“There’s a need for apprentices all around the Great Lakes,” said Local 8 Business Agent, Tim Roman. “We opened our doors for the Bricklayers becasue we’ve been in their situation before, and we included them in the grant because they were here and in need of some of the equipment and training as well.”
Over the next few years, these funds will support the purchases of new forklifts, training modules, and industrial cranes. Roman says some of these training resources can be hard to come by in the Upper Peninsula.
“Getting hands on is a highlight, there’s about $300,000 in these modules where Lansing is the closest place with anything near what we’re looking to provide,” he explained.
Roman also says these investments will continue to cycle into the state. Once the equipment is available, Local 8 anticipates training up to 350 apprentices a year, next to its student training programs. The total investment expects the continuation of 180 jobs, and the creation of 110 jobs.
