By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com
On Nov. 13, White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited Carver Vocational-Technical High School to announce employment and workforce training opportunities coming to Baltimore through President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda. They were joined by Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) CEO Sonja Santelises.
The Biden-Harris administration has already announced $9.6 billion in projects to modernize transportation, supply clean energy, increase access to high-speed internet and provide clean drinking water in Maryland. The projects present the need for a robust pipeline of workforce talent in construction and a host of other skilled trades.
“Today, I am announcing that the state of Maryland will work with the Biden administration to ensure that federal projects in Baltimore operate under the highest possible labor standards,” said Moore. “This commitment includes the fact that the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), led by Secretary Wiedefeld, is committed to project labor agreements (PLAs) for a number of strategic projects across the entire agency portfolio.”
MDOT committed to determining workforce investments and policies for all projects totaling more than $20 million. This includes pre-hire collective bargaining agreements (PLAs) between labor unions and employers.
The state of Maryland has already identified nine projects, which encompass $9 billion in investment and 11,000 jobs, that will include a PLA in their bidding process. Baltimore City pledged to require PLAs on six projects, valued at $30 million, that will create more than 100 skilled jobs.
“This is what partnership looks like,” said Moore. “This is what progress looks like, and as more federal money comes in, we’re going to make sure that these new projects are built with union hands and get completed on time and on budget.”
In May, Biden named Baltimore a Workforce Hub alongside Pittsburgh, Augusta, Ga.; Columbus, Ohio; and Phoenix. This designation was largely given because the cities are positioned for significant public and private investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Chips and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act.
One major project that’s been funded in Baltimore is the $6-billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program, which will replace the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel. It’s expected to create 30,000 jobs alone.
(Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor)
“The idea behind the Workforce Hubs is simple but profound— center people who have been left out or left behind in the past. These hubs require strong leaders like Governor Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott,” said Su. “Last week, President Biden talked about an investment of $4.7 billion to build the Frederick Douglass Tunnel. Amtrak is going to invest a minimum of $5 million of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to recruit and train workers to fill the many jobs that are needed to build that tunnel.”
In partnership with Baltimore-D.C. Building Trades Council, Amtrak has committed to a local hiring preference for the tunnel’s construction, in which 50 percent of all apprentice hours and 20 percent of all journey hours will go to Baltimore workers. It also plans to create a job center for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program to engage residents with employment opportunities.
For these positions, Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council will recruit in certain ZIP codes, including surrounding locations around the project area and disadvantaged communities.
“This Workforce Hub is going to focus on recruiting and training that’s going to ensure African Americans and women have equal access to the good union jobs being created so that we tap into the full talent and potential right here in Baltimore and all across Maryland,” said Su. “Specifically, the funding is going to focus on connecting individuals from local ZIP codes with good union jobs so people can build the community that they live in. It’s also going to invest in workforce infrastructure that provides childcare and transportation.”
Part of Amtrak’s $5 million investment will also support career and technical education (CTE) pathways in Baltimore City Public Schools. Students who participate in these programs graduate with an industry-recognized certification on top of years of hands-on, work-based learning experiences.
The school district’s Office of Career Readiness is working with Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council to increase the number of CTE students who transition into registered apprenticeships.
“The Workforce Hub initiative will really not only directly benefit Baltimore city, but Baltimore City Public Schools,” said Santelises. “The funding to support construction careers and technical education is being felt immediately.”
Megan Sayles is a Report For America Corps member.
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