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Expand Manufacturing, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Training and Apprenticeship Programs
The IRA requires that renewable energy developers meet construction apprenticeship utilization standards to receive the maximum tax credits allowable, thus encouraging the use of unionized construction labor.367 Unfortunately, this requirement does not extend to manufacturing or O&M. Developing a robust system of apprenticeship programs for manufacturing and O&M will simultaneously create a pipeline of qualified workers and open avenues to advocate for apprenticeship utilization requirements in manufacturing and O&M in future rounds of government renewable energy subsidies.
Apprenticeship programs not only grow the union, but with the right recruitment and mentorship strategies they can also offer an essential pathway to union careers for communities that have been historically excluded from certain industries.
The IAM can expand on the example of the Washington State Machinists Institute and support locals in establishing manufacturing and O&M training centers in other territories. Where union training infrastructure is in place, the IAM can advocate for manufacturing and O&M apprenticeship requirements in policies incentivizing new manufacturing and renewable energy. A model for this is Washington State’s SB6690 (2020), which includes apprenticeship utilization as a requirement for Aerospace companies to receive a reduced tax rate.368