Sen. Bob Casey visited Blair county today to tour the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenter's and Joiners Local #423 facility.
The newly expanded facility trains local apprentices across 17 different counties in western and central PA as well as parts of Maryland and West Virginia.
With the passing of the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, new funding will be rolling in over the coming months and years to improve the infrastructure in Pennsylvania. This means that skilled workers such as carpenters will become an in-demand profession that will be an integral part of boosting the economy state-wide.
Because of the involvement of the carpenter's union, the program is free for all who enroll and therefore an attractive career option to those entering the workforce.
"For too long because the federal government kind of either never checked into the game or checked out of the game of helping local economies and helping our economy to create these kinds of opportunities for young people, a lot of young people said well why would I go down that path where I don’t have a future if we’re not getting the opportunity," said Sen. Casey.
He emphasizes that by making apprenticeship programs more accessible through the support of unions and federally approved legislature, it offers a better option for many of those who struggle to choose the right career.
"With this you have the chance to say to a young person you’ve got lots of options," said the senator. "One option might be that you go to a 4-year institution of higher education one option might be to go to a community college for 2 years. Another option, a damn good option is to join a union, learn that high skill that no one else in the world can learn or have the opportunity to learn and you have a union job that will support you and your family well into the future."
To learn more bout how you can start a career as a carpenter visit the KML Carpenters' Apprenticeship and Training Fund.
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