Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the ULA Counseling Center and its efforts to improve the mental health of workers in the Cleveland area. Megenhardt also discussed its educational program and assisting the Cleveland Building Trades affiliates with recruiting new apprentices.
On January 1, the ULA Counseling Center opened. This new mental healthcare center tries to assist Cleveland area residents in finding a career. Through their work, the ULA found that many people need a greater, more in-depth approach to mental health improvement. The counseling center has licensed therapists to help individuals using the ULA’s service. Megenhardt outlined the work being done by the center and what to do if someone you know is seeking help with mental health issues while seeking a new career.
As mentioned during Megenhardt’s previous appearance, the ULA uses an educational course program called Coursera that assists individuals in improving their workplace skills and knowledge base. The program has several thousand courses that can help people learn and potentially even earn a bachelor's degree. The ULA’s program is free to those who are interested. The courses are self-paced and available 24/7. Improving a person’s marketability and employment is the goal of the ULA, and this program simplifies that.
Creating a pathway to the middle class is the goal of the Labor Movement. The ULA is helping connect Cleveland area residents with the Cleveland Building Trades affiliated unions. With the funding coming from the United States government for infrastructure improvements, the trades are looking for the next generation of union members. Megenhardt discussed the ULA's outreach efforts to connect and educate potential apprentices on the trades.
Listen to the show above to learn more about the ULA’s workforce improvement efforts.