Pierce Co. labor celebrates “Building Together Initiative”

Initiative developed by Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello funds job training, expands apprenticeship utilization, and creates a project labor agreement pilot program

TACOMA, WA (September 4, 2026) — Pierce County is set to invest in the local construction and trades workforce, with County Executive Ryan Mello establishing the Building Together Initiative, which will directs the county to work with local partners to “develop and implement workforce pipeline initiatives that reduce barriers to technical education, expand access to registered apprenticeships, and connect Pierce County residents to family-wage careers in the skilled trades,” per Mello’s office.

That investment includes $300,000 in job-training funding for Clover Park Technical College and a commitment to increasing apprenticeship utilization on County public works and capital construction projects. The initiative also establishes a a pilot program for using project labor agreements on three public projects: the first phase of the Clear Creek Floodplain Reconnection, beginning in 2027; the renovation of the Sprinker Recreation Center building, beginning in 2028; and renovation of the Pierce County Elections Center, beginning in 2028. 

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, labor leaders and Clover Park Technical College community members gathered for the signing of a directive establishing the Building Together Initiative. Photo: Office of the Pierce County Executive

The initiative was developed in partnership with local labor organizations.

“Public investment should create public value that lasts long after construction is finished,” said Nathe Lawver, Secretary-Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, in a press release. “Building Together recognizes that when Pierce County invests in its communities, we also have an opportunity to invest in the people who live and work here.”

“With this directive, taxpayers will now see these additional processes requiring contractors, of any tier, to invest in this community by inclusion of Priority/Local Hire Contractual Requirements, which will assist in the training of the future skilled construction craft workforce across all building and construction trades in the Pierce County and surrounding areas,” echoed Jared Ross, Executive Secretary of the South Sound Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO.

The initiatives’ focus on expanding apprenticeship access builds on previous partnerships between the county and organized labor. the Pierce County Central Labor Council to create childcare apprenticeship opportunities, including a $300,000 investment to build the Pierce Labor Childcare and Workforce Education Center, an innovative project to both provide low-cost, non-standard-hour childcare for working families, support parents in registered apprenticeship and workforce training programs, and build career ladders and competitive wages for childcare workers.

“We are putting more of our local construction dollars to work by creating opportunities for local workers and local contractors. This is especially important at a time more than 14,000 young people in Pierce County are not connected to education or a job,” Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello said. “It strengthens economic opportunity for everyone by creating pathways to good-paying jobs that are right here where people are living and raising their families.”