Rep. Sykes Hosts Secretary Buttigieg To Discuss Investing In Infrastructure, Apprenticeships In OH-13
RICHFIELD, OH — On Monday, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District to highlight local efforts to create workforce development opportunities, expand apprenticeships, and invest in infrastructure to lower transportation costs.
“Historic legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making unprecedented investments in our nation’s infrastructure, creating good-paying, union jobs in communities right here in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. Now, we must ensure everyone has the skills they need to take advantage of these new opportunities and the industries of the future. I was glad to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to our district to demonstrate how we are leading the way in expanding access to apprenticeships and creating new pathways to the middle class,” said Rep. Sykes. “As a proud member of the Congressional Labor Caucus and co-sponsor of the National Apprenticeship Act, I’ll keep working to ensure everyone in Ohio’s 13th District, whether they want to go to college or directly into the workforce, has the opportunities and skills they need to succeed.”
"Congresswoman Sykes is a strong advocate for Northeast Ohio's transportation priorities in Washington, and I was thrilled to join her in her district to hear from the union apprentices who are training to work on projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This historic investment in our infrastructure is already driving extraordinary construction job growth as we take action to upgrade Northeast Ohio's roads, bridges, and transportation systems” said Secretary Buttigieg.
The visit began with a tour of the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship and Training Facility in Richfield, where Rep. Sykes and Secretary Buttigieg met with apprentices through the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18, District 6.
Following the tour, Rep. Sykes and Secretary Buttigieg held a roundtable discussion about the impact of apprenticeship programs in our communities and the importance of investing in our infrastructure with local labor and transportation leaders. Roundtable participants included Michael Bertolone, IUOE Local 18 Business Manager; Tim Stem, President, Tri-County Building Trades; Brett McElfresh, Business Manager, Plumbers and Pipefitters 94; Curtis Baker, Executive Director, Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study; and Halle Jones Capers, President, Halle’s Engineering & Design, LLC.
“The operating engineers, Local 18 was honored to host the event with Congresswoman Sykes and Secretary Buttigieg and Richfield Training Center. We always love to show off our training program to the public, and this was one of the best opportunities we have seen in a while. We are grateful for both the Congresswoman and Secretary for their efforts for securing the funding for the hundreds of projects our members are on now,” said Michael Bertolone, IUOE Local 18 Business Manager.
Rep. Sykes is a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, which works to protect workers’ rights, advance the priorities of workers and the labor movement, and connect legislators directly with workers and unions. Rep. Sykes is also a co-sponsor of the National Apprenticeships Act, which would create nearly one million new Registered Apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years by investing more than $3.8 billion over five years. These resources will help scale up apprenticeship opportunities, streamline access to apprenticeships for both workers and employers, and expand apprenticeships into new and in-demand industry sectors and occupations.