Government Grants Build Industry

© Can Stock Photo / zerbor

Government Grants BUILD INDUSTRY

By / Jordan Whitehouse

Every year, governments across the continent offer up billions of dollars in grant money that could go to Locals looking to do everything from renovate a training facility to add staff. But every year, some of that money gets left on the table. That’s really too bad, as there are grants available to everybody, says Greg Blose, business manager at Local 12 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “You just have to apply for them,” he says. “And once you get those funds, you just got free money. It’s a no-brainer. Any chance we get now, we apply for the grants.” In May, Local 12’s JATC received a $500,000 grant from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Last year, the JATC learned it would be receiving $297,000 from the state to expand its apprenticeship program. And in 2017, it was approved for a grant of $900,000 for a completely new training center. All of those funds are a big relief to a Local that will train about 160 apprentices this year, Blose says. “It just helps our budget,” he says. “We’re able to move part of our budget elsewhere to where we might need something extra. In the near future, for instance, we’re probably going to need to add another full-time teacher because we have day school, and that’s certainly going to help having that extra money.”

So what, specifically, will the JATC be spending this grant money on? Well, the $500,000 will go to remodelling its circa-1800s union hall—aka its “largest classroom”—in Harmar, Pennsylvania. Plans include a new HVAC system, electrical upgrades, and a new exterior door, as well as a new roof, exterior repairs, and plumbing improvements. Plus, the Local wants to purchase new furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the reception and kitchen areas. The renovation will also allow the JATC to rent out the facility for small events and weddings. Profits go to the apprenticeship training fund. “This facility is rather old, and it’s definitely in need of upgrades and updating,” says James Strother, executive director of SMACNA of Western Pennsylvania. “And, it’s a costly endeavor to be picked up by the training center. We’d rather use those funds that are negotiated to actually train the apprentices and the journeymen that come in for training.” That $900,000 grant will certainly help them do that, too, as those funds are slated for a new year-round training center in Harmar. In the past, the JATC had to do some training outside, so if there was bad weather, class would be cancelled. Now, that won’t be an issue.

“I think it always helps when you’re showing the politicians, the ones that you’re applying to for grants, that you’re working as a team, that this is a joint effort between the union and the company. I think that goes a long way.” No word yet on which grants they’ll be working on getting next, but no doubt they’ll be doing their best to get as much of that unused grant money off the table as possible. ▪

© Can Stock Photo / AntonioGuillem

The $297,000 grant will help pay for teachers’ and coordinators’ salaries for three years, enabling the JATC to expand its apprenticeship program and support the training of 30 additional apprentices.

Partners in grant applications

As successful as Local 12 has been recently in getting these grants, that wasn’t always the case. “We tried once before years ago, and it was a lot of work and we didn’t really get anywhere,” Blose says. “So now we hired a company called DTI Development that specializes in getting grants. They know exactly where to look, when to apply, and what’s coming up. They’ve done wonders for us two years in a row. It’s a lot of work, and if you miss one little step, you may have missed your opportunity. So that’s why it’s important to hire someone who does this for a living.” What’s also helped is having all sides work so well together, says Strother. While he isn’t part of the JATC’s training committee—which is made up of half union members, half SMACNA members—he’s had the privilege of seeing the upsides of that solid working relationship for decades. “Local 12 and our chapter have had a very good relationship for many years, and this grant process is a great example of that,” he says. “Both sides sat down and decided to hire DTI together, and it’s been successful and very amicable. Everyone has agreed, for the most part, on what the funds will be used for. I’m very proud of that. I’ve been here almost 20 years now, and rarely do we have issues where we can’t just sit down and hash them out and get them cleared up pretty quickly.” That positive relationship may even have a direct impact on successfully getting these grants, Blose says.

Jordan Whitehouse is a freelance business journalist from Vancouver, British Columbia, who writes for magazines, newspapers, and online publications throughout Canada and the United States.

Digital class is in session

In addition to those interior and exterior upgrades to the union hall, the JATC also plans on using some of that $500,000 grant money on new technology, including upgrades to its computer-aided drafting software. The training center will also be investing in equipment that will allow instructors to broadcast classes directly to students’ homes. “That’s really going to set the training center and its students apart,” says Greg Blose, business manager at Local 12 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “We have 23 counties that belong to our union, and some of those members who live in outlying areas can’t get here for evening classes or even Saturday classes if there’s bad weather,” he says. Once new big-screen monitors and other technical equipment are installed, however, that will change. “With a lot of classes, apprentices and journeymen will be able to take part via Skype,” Blose says. “So, they’ll be able to stay on their own computer in their own home and take part just like everyone else.” ▪