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Carpentry apprentice program opens career doors for Detroit workers

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Michigan's largest skilled trades union plans to expand opportunities for Detroit residents under an agreement reached with Mayor Mike Duggan.

Three locals that are part of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC) have pledged to triple the number of Detroit residents trained to be carpenters over the next decade.

The new partnership is part of the Detroit Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP). Statewide the MRCC represents 14,000 skilled trades workers.

The MRCC agreement calls for the recruitment of more than 50 new Detroit residents per year over the next decade. In addition, at least 25% of new apprentices must be Detroit residents.

In December, Plumbers Local 98 became the first union to sign onto the STEP program.

The city of Detroit enforces hiring requirements for development projects such as Little Caesars Arena, which is currently under construction. The city collects payments from contractors who fail to meet the 51% threshold of Detroit residents in the workforce.