Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss upcoming events to recruit and educate younger residents in the Cleveland area.
The Cleveland Building Trades has been working to have $10 million of the American Rescue Plan funds allocated to growing membership. These funds will be used for upcoming events being held jointly between the ULA and Cleveland Building Trades to recruit and educate younger residents in the Cleveland area, Megenhardt said. The purpose of these events is to recruit the younger generation of tradesmen and tradeswomen and better educate them on the benefits of being in a union.
Along with the events, the Cleveland Building Trades and the United Labor Agency are working together to advance the Cleveland Builds program. This pre-apprenticeship program will educate individuals on the trades, prepare them for any entry tests and begin teaching basic skills needed to enter the trades. Megenhardt hopes the program will assist in the recruitment of younger tradespeople as the current workforce continues to grow older.
Many of the upcoming events are going to be similar to career fairs. They will be focused on 16- to 26-year-olds in the community who are looking for a job that will lead to a successful career in the building trades.
The events will be held during In-Demand Jobs Week from May 1-14. The highlight according to Megenhardt, will be a private event for 75 high school students attended by U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown (D-Cleveland).
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.