The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded over $800,000 to Ironworkers, Bricklayers and Allied Craft-Workers Local 8, with an additional $200,000 from the union, totaling nearly $1 million. This funding will be used to purchase industrial cranes, forklifts, a plasma table, and hands-on training modules.
Ben Griffin, an apprentice from Ironworkers Local 8, emphasized how the grant will enhance safety and training. The new equipment allows apprentices to practice on machinery they’ll encounter on job sites, which is particularly beneficial for workers in the Upper Peninsula.
Local 8 representatives noted that this investment aims to create new jobs while retaining existing ones in the region, sourcing training locally to address worker shortages in the area. Tim Roman, a business representative, highlighted the importance of equipping local youth with skills for careers in construction.
