The Benefits of
BUD Building Union Diversity Construction Training Program By Don Procter Photos courtesy of Russ Signorino, BUD Program Director
Russ Signorino awarding a certificate. When Sheena Houston applied to a construction training program offered to minorities and women in St. Louis earlier this year, she had no experience in the building trades. But the 37-yearold textile artist and community organizer knew she wanted to be in construction, and the Building Union Diversity (BUD) preapprenticeship course was a sensible introduction. Under the umbrella of the St. Louis Building and Constrution Trades Council (BCTC), BUD comprises a core of more than eight joint labor-management construction training programs and their training centers—including Local 36. By the time they graduate after five weeks in class, the students—who spend a few days at each training center—have a direction. Houston, a former business analyst with a well-known financial institution, chose Local 36, and she hopes to land her first job as a sheet metal apprentice this summer. “My experience at Local 36’s training facility was pretty positive,” Houston says. “I learned so much about the trade within a short time.” Houston was impressed that Local 36’s trainers included an African-American man and a woman. “They both were pretty enthusiastic about being sheet metal workers and the plethora
of opportunities the local union provided its members. It was inspiring,” Houston says. “The energy in the training center was good, and I can actually see myself learning major skills there.” In its fourth year, BUD has a graduate placement rate of 87%. The program runs four cohorts annually with about 16 students in each class. “By the time they graduate they have a much better sense of what it takes to be sheet metal workers, carpenters, and other tradespersons,” says Russ Signorino, BUD’s program director. Steve Sneed, Local 36 director of education, says the idea for BUD made “good sense” to Local 36 from its inception more than four years ago. “We all got on board with it,” Sneed says. “Union contractors all try to hire the best of the best, regardless of gender, race, or economic status.” During the two days students spend at the training center, they get an opportunity to do some drafting, build a tool tray, and observe other elements of the sheet metal trades, ranging from HVAC to specialty architectural sheet metal, Sneed says. Signorino adds that Local 36’s training center has been a great partner to BUD. “When Steve (Sneed) has time to put on classes we spend a couple of days there learning about the trade.” Partners in Progress » June 2019 » 9
