Governor orders beefed-up apprentice hire

[cleofus1]

http://www.adn.com/news/government/story/6759219p-6647627c.html

"JUNEAU -- With a bulked-up labor pool needed and in hopes that a gas pipeline deal will be struck, Gov. Frank Murkowski has signed an administrative order requiring contractors to hire apprentices for the largest state construction projects.


The directive requires apprentices to make up 15 percent of the work force for the state's highway and "heavy construction" projects, or projects costing $2.5 million or more. The order applies to airport, highway, harbor, tunnel, dam, utility and dredging projects for the Department of Transportation.

The Department of Labor's Mike Shiffer, who is special assistant to the commissioner for apprenticeships, said the state needs 1,000 new workers in the construction industry through 2012 to fill the gap left by an aging work force and an increase in public works projects.

Trades specified in the order include operating engineers, construction equipment operators, mobile heavy equipment mechanics and lubrication servicer-materials disposal technicians."