MEDIA ADVISORY: U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to Speak at A. Philip Randolph Institute Graduation Ceremony

PITTSBURGH, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez will join the A. Philip Randolph Institute this Friday at its job training program graduation ceremony. The program, called Breaking the Chains of Poverty (BTCP), helps disadvantaged adults attain the skills they need to have a sustainable career and permanently join the middle class. Like the A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Labor Department is also committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities, as well as prioritizing fair compensation for fair work. As labor secretary, Perez has also advocated for training that connects Americans seeking jobs with employers who immediately need skilled workers. The seven graduates participating in Friday's ceremony make up the 19th class of the BTCP program.

WHO: Thomas E. Perez, U.S. Secretary of Labor
Leo W. Gerard, USW International President
Fred Redmond, USW International Vice President and Chairman of APRI
David J. Hickton, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Chief Executive
Jack Shea, Allegheny County Labor Council President
Jake Wheatley Jr., State Representative, Pennsylvania House District 19
Students who have successfully completed the BTCP training program
Past BTCP graduates
Employers of past graduates

WHAT: Breaking the Chains of Poverty graduation ceremony

WHEN: 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 29

WHERE: United Steelworkers International Headquarters, Fourth Floor, Five Gateway Center, Downtown Pittsburgh

WHY: The 8-week intensive job training and skills certification program helps participants attain gainful, sustainable work. Targeting communities with high unemployment, the training provides basic job skills as well as nationally recognized certifications, helping graduates gain the proficiency they need to fill existing job openings.

Additional Background Information:  A total of 248 students have graduated from the BTCP program. Many, including those who were previously incarcerated or homeless, have found success in the building trades, manufacturing and the energy sector. The BTCP program offers training in a variety of applied skills, including classes on weatherization, carbon footprints, green technology, and community organizing and leadership. The program also offers nationally recognized safety certifications, including hazardous waste operations and preliminary OSHA certification on identifying and controlling workplace hazards.

The USW has been a longtime partner of the Pittsburgh chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute and provides continuing support for the BTCP program.

"Our union has long believed that education, effort and equal opportunity are the keys to successful employment," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "We believe all workers should have the chance to join the middle class through their hard work." 

"Not everyone starts life with the same opportunities or resources," said USW International Vice President Fred Redmond. "This makes it even more important that we come together as a community to make sure that the people who are willing to push themselves and learn new skills have a real chance to succeed."

The USW represents 850,000 members in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It is the largest private-sector union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.

CONTACT:
DeWitt Walton, (412) 562-2432
[email protected]

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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Related Links

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