Daniel Hicks, the Business Representative for Carpenters Local 225 in Atlanta, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the SkillsUSA competitions, the growing apprenticeship program and the Southeastern Carpenters' yearly Lobby Day.
Split into two competitions throughout the year, Hicks discussed the recent SkillsUSA spring competition that just finished in Atlanta. High school students came from across the state to frame and hang drywall. This competition is not only great for getting students to experience carpentry, but it also serves as a way for many different trades and contractors to recruit future members, Hicks said.
The SkillsUSA competition is just one way Hicks has seen growth in the apprenticeship program. A recent pro-union sentiment has come over much of Georgia, and in recent years Local 225’s apprenticeship program has grown to over 300 students. Hicks is trying to continue that growth. The progress has already helped offset the current wave of retirees, and he hopes further growth will allow for more workers to get into the EV and battery plants being built.
Hicks also discussed “Lobby Day,” when Southeastern Carpenters from across Georgia meet at the State Capitol and meet with their local representatives. Topics include the misclassification of workers and tax fraud being committed by non-union contractors. This event has paid off, as last year, House Bill 387 passed, which addresses the misclassification of workers and tax fraud being committed by contractors, and penalizes them for committing these transgressions.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.