The contract will continue the union’s national Instructor Training Program at the school for the next ten years.
Recently, the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers and Washtenaw Community College signed a decade-long extension to their longstanding training partnership agreement.
The extension of the partnership will continue the hosting of the union’s national Instructor Training Program at Washtenaw through the end of 2035.
This newly formalized agreement continues a partnership that teaches instructors from around the continent the latest instructional skills, safety practices, and technical knowledge in the roofing industry so that they can return home able to train other members of the union.
In an article posted on Washtenaw Community College’s website, the school’s President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca was quoted about the agreement, saying, “We are proud that the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers has chosen WCC as its national training partner. The extension of this agreement speaks to the trust we have built together and our shared commitment to developing the highly skilled workforce that America depends on. This partnership not only advances the skilled trades, but also creates pathways for union members to earn college credentials that support lifelong career growth.”
Since the partnership between the union and the college began, the Roofers have brought over 700 instructors to the school’s campus for training.
Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers General President Jim Hadel also spoke about the agreement between the union and the school, saying, “my belief is that education is essential for the future of our union. Providing our members the resources and knowledge to be successful in their respective positions is a fundamental obligation. Our partnership with Washtenaw Community College over the past six years has provided us the capacity to achieve that obligation. Today signifies not only our strong confidence in this partnership but a successful future for our union.”
A Roofers and Waterproofers instructor from Washington, D.C., Geoffry McSween, recently graduated with an Industrial Training associate degree. He was the first member of the union to earn that degree at Washtenaw Community College.
The extension of the contract is part of the college’s commitment to being one of the country’s top providers of workforce training and skilled trades education.
Every summer, Washtenaw Community College plays host to thousands of union members for advanced training programs that aim to improve various industries all over America. These trainings, according to a Destination Ann Arbor study last year, creates nearly $23 million for the local economy every year.
Sarah Miller serves as the president and CEO of Destination Ann Arbor. She spoke about the partnership between the school and the union, saying, “We are delighted to support the 10-year extension between our partners at the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers and Washtenaw Community College. The impact of this partnership extends far beyond the training facility and the union members served. Each year, when union members travel to our community to learn and build skills at WCC, they also support our local hotels, restaurants, retail shops and attractions. This long-term commitment reflects the value of collaboration and the important role workforce training plays in creating strong economic opportunity for our community.”
More information about the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers can be found at its website.
More information about Washtenaw Community College can be found at the school’s website.