Program funded by grant to build infrastructure, California High-Speed Rail
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 105 in Bakersfield will host pre-apprentices participating in Employers’ Training Resource’s Pre-Apprenticeship Boot Camp from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12.
Taking place at the Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 105 Training Center, 620 Enterprise Way, the camp is a partnership between Employers’ Training Resource and local trade and labor unions that provides six weeks of training for jobs relating to infrastructure, local roads and high-speed rail projects. The program is funded by the Central Valley Infrastructure Grant Program.
The primary focus of the program is to introduce displaced workers to the unions that will help construct the California High-Speed Rail, which aims to connect large regions of the state from Northern to Southern California by 2029. The rail will be approximately 800 miles long and will include 24 stations. The project broke ground in Fresno on Jan. 6.
Approximately 25 pre-apprentices will participate in a hands-on project as an introduction to unionized sheet metal work. The participants, with the help of instructors and mentors, will work with hand brakes, hammers, snips, welders, and other tools to create a tool tray. Pre-apprentices will try welding; testing, adjusting and balancing; and drafting.