A Commitment to Training Excellence Makes the Difference
The Western PA Building and Construction Trades and the signatory employer contractors demonstrate our commitment to excellence by educating and training our members. Union sponsored training programs are actually funded in part by contractors – in contrast, most nonunion contractors cannot guarantee the use of skilled labor that is familiar with the rapidly improving technologies required to build today’s communities.

More than $30 million annually is invested in apprenticeship training programs in Western Pennsylvania.
While much of the training is on the job, extensive classroom training also takes place where a wide variety of certifications can be earned in all disciplines. The training facilities are modern and include state-of-theart equipment, as evidenced by several recently constructed and renovated facilities operated by the Electrical Workers Local #5, Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters, Plumbers Local #27 and Steamfitters Local #449. In 2012, both the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #66 and Ironworkers Local #3 have begun expanding their training centers as well in order to accommodate recent and projected growth and demand. Curriculum is ever changing to keep pace with the latest in technology, be it industrial, commercial or residential construction.

The investment made by local unions and their contractors pays off not just for union members and contractors, but for owners and developers. According to a study by the Construction Industry Institute®, “on a single capital construction project, each dollar invested in craft training can yield $1.30 to $3.00 in benefits. The benefits accrue to the project in the form of increased productivity and reductions in turnover, absenteeism and rework, as well as in other areas.”

The study, “Construction Industry Craft Training in the United States and Canada,” was conducted by a research team consisting of individuals who, combined, had more than 375 years of experience in the construction industry. It was supported by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT).

Among other findings, the study recognized the substantial investment building trade unions and their affiliated contractors place into training, while noting that funding in the merit shop (non-union) sector has “fallen short in many geographic areas.” This investment has generated significant benefits for union members and savings for union contractors.

Studies have shown over the years that craft training improves productivity, reduces turnover, improves quality, reduces absenteeism and improves safety. Such benefits are among the reasons union building trades and their contractors invest heavily in worker training. It is an investment that pays off for the workers in terms of higher pay and job satisfaction and for contractors and communities through reduced project costs.