Good news keeps coming

By Kevin Ferreira
Executive Director, Sacramento-Sierra’s BCTC

I am pleased to report that the good news keeps coming.

Recently, the Building Trades signed on to work on a huge new project in Roseville. The European company Bosch has purchased a semiconductor manufacturing plant and is planning some $1.5 million in upgrades, work that will take place over the next year.

The 42-acre campus will be turned into a state of the art production facility where silicon carbide semiconductors are made. These are crucial parts for electric vehicles, and this plant that we are helping to create will itself be helping create the good green jobs of the future.

We will have this plant up and running by 2026, and this project means even more secure jobs for our members in the coming year.

In addition, we have some final numbers on the success of the Richards Boulevard Community Workforce Agreement. This project supplied hundreds of jobs each month and at its peak in January 2023, provided nearly 100,000 monthly man-hours.

In all, the project involved more than 2 million hours of work—all paid at prevailing wages. There were 516,000 hours worked by apprentices, and another 126,000 worked by people in the targeted workforce.

More than 300 veterans were employed, more than 120 people who have previously been involved with the justice system, 91 women, 74 people who have received public assistance and two foster youths.

That translates to nearly 15,000 hours worked by veterans, 53,000 hours worked by people previously involved in the justice system and 16,000 hours by people who have received public assistance. And those two foster youths? They worked a remarkable 2,854 hours! That’s learning on the job.

Those numbers show the Building Trades commitment to both community and diversity. We are lifting up our neighbors and growing our strength at the same time. It is truly a win-win that makes us stronger.

Last but still important, the weather is growing hot. This is your reminder to stay safe on the job. With temperatures climbing, heat stroke is a real risk. Pay attention and stay safe out there.