Sacramento PLAs help workers and our region

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

In California and right here in Sacramento, union apprenticeship programs are leading the way in training the next generation of skilled construction workers. These programs, known as JATCs (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees), train an incredible 93% of all construction apprentices in the state.

With 149 programs across 30 trades, JATCs form the backbone of many Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) that this Council has proudly secured for our members. And the results really speak for themselves. A recent study of projects in our area showed just how powerful PLAs have been for Sacramento, especially on public projects like our work with the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Union projects deliver better value for taxpayers and PLAs ensure fair pay, strong safety standards, and clear rules before work even begins, keeping projects on schedule and on budget. Studies show that projects led by union prime contractors have much smaller cost overruns, with final costs averaging just 1.9% above initial estimates, compared to nearly 5% on non-union jobs. In Sacramento County, union projects finish about 5% closer to their original budgets overall. That means these agreements don’t just support workers—they’re a smart investment for the entire community.

Union apprenticeship programs also build a more diverse workforce. JATCs include more women and more people of color than non-union programs, and most of California’s women and minority apprentices come through union training. That’s real opportunity being created for everyone, not just a few.

California leads the nation with over 60,000 registered apprentices across 170 programs—and no college degree required. Construction apprentices graduate at higher rates than four-year college students, with around 60% completing their training compared to roughly 50% of undergrads. Plus, they’re earning living wages while they learn—often three to four times the minimum wage.

And the payoff? It’s huge. Construction workers earn about 20% more than the average California worker, and those who complete apprenticeship programs can make up to 33% more than those who don’t. That’s the “apprenticeship wage advantage” in action, building both skills and financial security.

From higher wages to more efficient projects, the message is clear: union apprenticeships work. They give people real skills, steady paychecks, and lifelong careers, all while helping California grow stronger, fairer, and more efficient. Unions aren’t just building buildings, they’re building opportunity.

We are the Sacramento-Sierra’s Building & Construction Trades Council: “We build families one project at a time.”