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Ironworkers Native 86 applaud the Op-Ed urging corporations to “Embrace diversity in the construction industry” [March 30, Opinion].
A union precedence of variety has served us effectively lately. Inclusivity is echoed in a wide range of efforts, together with a specifically designed pre-apprenticeship program familiarizing people with the ironwork business; participation at job gala’s and different employment occasions; help for the Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Employment for Ladies (ANEW) program, the pre-apprentice program on the Washington Correction Middle for Ladies at Purdy and the veterans Helmets to Laborious Hats program; and outreach to neighborhood and technical schools.
These initiatives are delivering spectacular outcomes. Now a mix of girls and individuals of colour comprise practically half our union membership with confirmed retention outcomes. Additional, we’re dispelling the drained fantasy that building jobs are for these “who aren’t school materials.” As a substitute, college students are discovering the advantages of a profession within the building trades: excellent training and coaching, strict security requirements, excessive wages and advantages, and job safety.
Shifting ahead, plans are underway to construct upon these efforts by improved social media messaging and strengthened outreach to underserved communities, together with nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Range is our power.
Bob Korth, enterprise supervisor, Ironworkers Native 86, Tukwila
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