--- title: Strengthening the future of the UA through a commitment to training description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. Ray Boyd from the UA joined us on today’s show. image: https://awf.labortools.com/hubfs/UA%20Mic%20image%20red.jpg --- 1 min read Season 5, Episode 233 # Strengthening the future of the UA through a commitment to training [ awfblog ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) November 22, 2024 [United Association](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/united-association) [United Association International Training Fund](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/united-association-international-training-fund) [America's Work Force Union Podcast](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/americas-work-force-union-podcast) [AWF](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/awf) ![UA](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/UA.jpg?width=407&height=407&name=UA.jpg)   Guest Name: --- Ray Boyd Guest Website: --- [United Association](https://ua.org/)  Guest Social Media: --- [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/UnitedAssociation/) [ Twitter](https://twitter.com/UAPipeTrades) [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/) [ LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-association/) Supportive Documents: --- On the final day of National Apprenticeship Week on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast we welcomed Ray Boyd, Director of Education and Training for the [United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA)](https://ua.org/), to the podcast to share insights on the UA’s commitment to education, training and building the union's future. Boyd, who began his career with [UA Local 690](https://plumbers690.org/) in Philadelphia, reflected on the growth and evolution of the union during his time in his current position. With over 382,000 members, the UA remains committed to expanding its reach and ensuring its workforce reflects the communities it serves. Boyd emphasized the importance of education and training, noting that the UA invests nearly $3 million annually to improve these efforts. This investment is crucial for preparing members to meet the demands of emerging industries, such as manufacturing and data centers, and to maintain the UA’s reputation for excellence. The conversation also touched on the UA’s proactive approach to mental health and suicide prevention within the construction industry. Boyd highlighted the organization’s efforts to address these critical issues, recognizing that mental well-being is as important as physical health for the workforce. This has included new classes and initiatives to support its members, emphasizing the need for open communication and understanding. Looking ahead, Boyd expressed optimism about the UA’s growth and its ability to adapt to changing political landscapes. Regardless of administrative changes, the UA remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier training and opportunities for its members. Boyd invited listeners to explore the diverse career paths available through the UA and to consider the long-term benefits of a career in the trades. Listen to the full episode to hear more from Boyd on the United Association’s dedication to training and supporting its members. --- America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues. America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ##### SUBSCRIBE ON: --- [![Group 342](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png?width=171&name=Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/id1511224946) [![Group 341](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Spotify%20Button-Dark.png?width=100&name=Spotify%20Button-Dark.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/0GzkHxFSBxiXvuX0lZpQBn) [![Group 343](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20343.png?width=135&name=Group%20343.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast-62567752/) [![Group 339](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20339.png?width=110&name=Group%20339.png)](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/PC:47979) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20397.png?width=125&name=Group%20397.png)](https://americasworkforceradiopodcast.podbean.com/) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube_button.png?width=125&name=YouTube_button.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQo1PAtRAel1_tS7-PQOkA)   #### [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/brotherhood-of-railroad-signalmen-on-the-union-pacific-merger-threat) : July 6, 2026 # Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat Brandon Elvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen](https://www.brs.org/),... 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