LIUNA, WIAA form partnership to promote apprenticeship

The following is from LIUNA Northwest:

SEATTLE (Feb. 18, 2020) — The Northwest Region of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA NW) and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) have announced LIUNA as the new Official Union Sponsor and Official Apprenticeship Program Sponsor for Washington high school state championships, as part of a one-year partnership agreement.

“This partnership will provide numerous opportunities to educate students and their families, coaches and teachers about career opportunities with the Laborers,” said Jermaine Smiley, Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers. “The Laborers’ Apprenticeship Program provides another option to have a fulfilling career path to success.”

Under the partnership agreement:

► LIUNA NW will be the Official Union sponsor, Official Apprenticeship Program Sponsor and Official Trade School sponsor of all state championship events through 2020, with signage visibility at all state championships events, online, print and mobile app presence.

► LIUNA NW and the WIAA will work together to promote career education in high schools across the state.

► LIUNA NW will be the premium sponsor of the new Women in Sports Leadership conference and mentorship program that will launch in the summer of 2020.

The LIUNA Northwest Region represents over 47,000 members of LIUNA with over 13,000 working men and women within the Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers. The District Council includes seven Local Unions in Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Spokane and Richland. These members are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America. This partnership with the WIAA was made possible with funding by LIUNA affiliates (Northwest LECET, Northwest Laborers’ Training and the Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers).

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is a private non-profit, board-governed association comprised of 408 member high schools and 400 member middle schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the WIAA annually sponsors 120 state championships in 19 sports and activities.