Local Union’s growth and prosperity due to new ways to recruit talent

Steamfitters Local 449 Business Manager Ken Broadbent joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the growth of Local 449 over the last 15 years and how they are planning to recruit younger men and women to join Steamfitters.

Steamfitters Local 449 covers approximately 15 counties in Western Pennsylvania, serving nearly 1,900 active members.

Broadbent talked about the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee’s new, state-of-the-art training center. He credited the Local’s success over the previous 15 years to the JATC’s ability to increase the size of its apprenticeship classes. Apprentices, he added, now account for nearly a quarter (475) of the Local’s active membership.

To grow the size of the apprenticeship classes, Broadbent shared Local 449’s recruitment plans. He emphasized the role of certain social media platforms and the use of professionally produced videos that supplement traditional recruitment methods. Furthermore, the Local paid for commercials, which will air locally during March Madness, to help spread the word about the need for apprentices and the benefits of the earn-while-you-learn model. 

Broadbent also spoke about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a friend of organized labor. 

He believes Shaprio will continue to pursue job-creating, union-friendly policies, which will benefit Pennsylvania workers. 

Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.