Growing our ranks with new members

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

We are lucky to have two important events this month that are about welcoming new members into our ranks and growing our diversity for the future.

First, in early March, Sacramento hosted a watch party for the new docu-series, ‘Breaking Barriers: Women at Work.’ This five-part YouTube production focuses on women who have made construction their career and risen to its highest echelons.

The film was created by the nonprofit A Greener Tomorrow, which is dedicated to empowering women, minorities, and youth to thrive in the construction industry. The goal of the production is one this Labor Council shares—addressing a shortage of professionals in our ranks by bringing in top quality candidates from all walks of life. As the producers explain it, women featured in these episodes “drive over $1 billion in annual construction revenue, showcasing their transformative leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field. Each episode explores themes like authenticity, resiliency, and legacy, tackling critical issues such as inclusive leadership and workforce retention.” They are an inspiration to us all.

The Sacramento-Sierra’s Building and Construction Trades Council is also hard at work on our own efforts to grow our ranks with local apprentices.

On March 28, we will participate in another “Taking it to the Streets” event that will offer hands-on opportunities to learn about our industry and the many skilled jobs that we train for. This community event in Elk Grove will offer food, giveaways, a live DJ and of course, lots of union members to share their experience and knowledge.

This is similar to our event at Grant High last year, and we are working on more programs that will help our local students find their pathway into our membership.

If you know a young person looking for a great career, or someone ready to make a change, please tell them about this terrific event.

Because as most of you know, we have a lot of work happening now and on the horizon. We need more members! Our apprenticeship programs are bringing in that next generation of construction experts, and it’s a group that is stronger and more diverse than ever.

We are continuing a push that has been our commitment for years now—bringing in young people, women, veterans, even giving second chances to those coming out of incarceration. All this is about helping to build stronger societies and stronger communities through hard work and good pay.

All this hard work to keep us strong for the future brings me a great deal of pride, and the knowledge that our industry continues to be a beacon of hope for the American Dream.