Bill Text: MI HR0065 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge state and federal administrators to increase the number of women and minorities in skilled trade professions and to encourage industry leaders and labor unions to address existing and future shortages in the skilled trades workforce.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-24 - Referred To Committee On Workforce, Trades, And Talent [HR0065 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HR0065-Introduced.html
house Resolution No.65
Reps. Anthony, Sabo, Hertel, Brenda Carter, Morse, Puri, Breen, Aiyash, Camilleri, Steckloff, Rabhi, Cavanagh, Cherry, Brixie, Peterson, Young, Clemente, LaGrand, Stone, Steenland, Kuppa, Sowerby, Pohutsky, O'Neal, Thanedar, Brabec, Garza, Tyrone Carter, Scott, Hood, Neeley, Hope, Weiss, Haadsma, Koleszar, Ellison, Manoogian, Shannon, Bolden, Witwer and Jones offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The state of Michigan, and this nation as a whole, is experiencing a significant shortage in skilled trades workers. In Michigan, 80 percent of contracting firms report having a hard time filling salaried or hourly skilled trades positions. The shortage of skilled laborers will be exacerbated over the next decade as skilled tradespersons retire; and
Whereas, Near and long-term infrastructure projects will require a larger skilled trades workforce. The U.S. Department of Labor projected job growth in the skilled trades industry at 4 percent between 2019 and 2029. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, that amounts to 3.5 million new skilled tradespersons, and the Associated General Contractors predicts a shortage of 250,000 skilled tradespersons per year. In Michigan, the number of skilled trades professionals cannot meet demand, with an expected rate of growth of 47,000 new trade jobs per year through 2026; and
Whereas, Women are underrepresented in skilled trades positions despite significant gains. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women represent less than 5 percent of all skilled trades workers. Despite a three- to four-fold increase since the early 1970s, women only represent 3.1 percent of all electricians, 3.2 percent of all carpenters, and 2.3 percent of all plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters; and
Whereas, Minorities have historically been and continue to be underrepresented in skilled trades professions. While non-white workers constitute nearly a quarter of the total workforce, they represent less than 15 percent of skilled trades workers. They represent less than 12.2 percent of electricians, 12.1 percent of carpenters, and 11.9 percent of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters; and
Whereas, Many women are employed in minimum wage jobs that do not provide benefits, and good-paying trade positions could benefit these low-income households. While women constitute about half of the workforce, they account for 60 percent of the working poor and 66 percent of minimum wage employees. Women are also the primary or sole earners for 40 percent of households with children under 18 years of age. Workers of color have consistently been several times more likely to be paid poverty level wages; and
Whereas, Privately-led efforts in Michigan have started addressing the shortage of women in skilled trades positions. Project Accelerate, founded by Rita Brown, provides women with a primer in the construction trades, and Women In Skilled Trades, founded by Tori Menold and Carol Cool, is an accelerated pre-apprenticeship program that targets single mothers. Pioneers like Adrienne Bennett, the CEO of Benkari and Michigan's first female licensed Master Plumber and this nation's first female African American Master Plumber, continue to demonstrate that, with encouragement and sustained programs, women and minorities can represent an increasing share of skilled workers; and
Whereas, National and statewide policies are necessary to create greater access to training and career opportunities for women in the skilled trades. Through administrative and policy efforts, the representative imbalance of tradeswomen can be redressed as state and national programs levy more resources, devote more training opportunities to women, and connect women with registered apprenticeship programs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge state and federal administrators to increase the number of women and minorities in skilled trades professions by improving access to skilled training and employment opportunities; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage industry leaders and labor unions to address existing and future shortages in the skilled trades workforce by hiring and training women and minorities; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the state of Michigan, the Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and the United States Secretary of Labor.
