With the increased production of green technology comes the equivalent need for a skilled workforce to install and maintain the infrastructure and products of the future, as well as retrofit existing structures to handle the expanded need for electricity generation and transmission. According to industry experts, the US needs upwards of 1 million new electricians to meet our climate needs.
We caught up with Paul Iaccarino, Educational Director of the Building Trades Educational Benefit Fund, which provides a quality no-cost education to union electrical apprentices with the United Electrical Workers of America, Local 363.
Can you tell us more about the Building Trades Educational Benefit Fund and its mission?
The Building Trades Educational Benefit Fund is dedicated to providing high-quality, no-cost education to union electrical apprentices working with the United Electrical Workers of America, Local 363. Our mission is to prepare these individuals for successful careers in the skilled trades and we are committed to equipping our apprentices with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the demands of the evolving energy landscape, with a strong focus on sustainability and climate resilience.
How does your program address the need for skilled electricians in the context of sustainability and climate-friendly initiatives?
Our program is at the forefront of addressing the need for skilled electricians through comprehensive, state approved training that emphasizes sustainable and climate-friendly practices. With New York City’s Local Law 97 requiring the retrofitting of 50,000 buildings and the New York Climate Act mandating economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 85% by 2050, our apprentices are trained to lead the clean energy transition.
Can you share some insights into the demographics of your program participants, particularly regarding diversity and representation?
Diversity and representation are core values of our program. Currently, 60% of our apprentices are people of color, reflecting the multicultural communities they will serve. We are proud to offer opportunities to individuals from various backgrounds—something we believe is essential for building a sustainable future. Through this program, young adults, veterans and those from underserved communities have access to a transformative career path in the skilled trades.
How does the program ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have access to sustainable career opportunities in the skilled union trades?
We implemented several initiatives to ensure inclusivity and accessibility in our program, resulting in a diverse student body in terms of race and socioeconomic circumstances. Apprentices earn while they learn, receiving strong union wages, quality health benefits and pensions, providing a clear path to the middle class. Our no-cost training program, paid for as part of their union benefits, eliminates the financial barriers associated with higher education. This makes it possible for individuals from all economic backgrounds to participate, ensuring everyone can seize the opportunity to build a sustainable career.
How do you perceive the attitudes of young apprentices towards careers that intersect with sustainability goals?
Young apprentices are increasingly motivated by the prospect of contributing to sustainability and climate resilience. They recognize the urgency in the projected shortage of 500,000 skilled workers across the construction trades, along with the shift to electric vehicles demanding an additional 25,000 electricians by 2027.
Research from Thumbtack indicates that young adults see several advantages to pursuing a career in the skilled trades over a desk job, including a quicker educational program (82%), more affordable education with less student loan debt (82%), and a faster path to entering the workforce.
Accordingly, many of our participants are driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the environment and their communities.
How do you envision the role of union trades in educating and shaping the green workforce of tomorrow?
From Bill Gates advancing new technologies to President Joe Biden swearing in the first class of the American Climate Corp, bold measures advancing 100% zero-carbon, 100% electric heating, cooling, and transportation means millions of new skilled trades jobs to combat climate change and “Build Back Better.”
A study by the U.S. Treasury affirmed that unions improve safety standards, make the economy stronger, and ensure workers receive fair compensation and benefits.
As the demand for green infrastructure grows, our union-trained electricians will be essential in meeting sustainability needs of the future, driving innovation, and leading the way in the green energy transition.
