Davids Participates in Construction Apprenticeship, Highlights Efforts to Support Kansas Workforce
As key negotiator on pro-manufacturing legislation, Davids working to increase competitiveness against countries like China
OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids shadowed construction apprentices at Shamrock Trading Corp. to highlight her work on pro-manufacturing supply chain legislation. Davids is one of two Kansas lawmakers selected to serve on the leadership committee working to finalize this legislation, which would expand the Registered Apprentice Program that helps place workers in jobs at Shamrock and dozens of other companies in the Kansas Third.
Rep. Davids shadows a Rodriguez Mechanical apprentice at the Shamrock Trading Corp. expansion
Davids shadowed Rodriguez Mechanical Contractors apprentices as they worked on Shamrock's multimillion-dollar expansion in Overland Park. Davids shared her efforts to expand access to good-paying jobs and workforce training opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships, which have been shown to be the most successful approach to growing a highly skilled workforce for in-demand occupations. 94 percent of these apprentices are employed upon completion, earning an average starting wage of $70,000 a year. Davids has been a vocal advocate for making more goods and jobs in America through her work on the bipartisan, bicameral supply chain bill making its way through Congress.
"Today I got to see exactly how the Registered Apprenticeship program helps Kansas businesses fill in-demand jobs and Kansas employees get the skills they need for a successful career. I've long been an advocate for these effective programs at the federal level and will continue to push for their support as we work to pass bipartisan, pro-manufacturing legislation," said Davids. "By supporting our workforce needs, we can better compete against countries like China and tackle inflation by making more here at home."
"North America's Building Trades Unions' world-class registered apprenticeship programs train workers to become highly-skilled, six-figure earning construction workers. These earn-as-you-learn programs pay wages that can support a family and provide health care coverage and retirement benefits from day one while being debt-free," said Alise Martiny, Secretary-Business Manager Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council. "The Kansas City Building Trades commend Congresswoman Davids on her support for our apprenticeship programs."
Davids has visited several Kansas businesses in recent months as she works to address supply chains and inflation, from battery manufacturers to medical suppliers to the General Motors plant in Wyandotte County that idled last year due to the chip shortage. The House version of the supply chain bill, known as the America COMPETES Act, contains several priorities for Kansas, including investments in domestic semiconductor "chip" production. It also includes Davids' amendment, which would ensure small businesses are considered in upgrades to our medical supply chain, not just big corporations.