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Air Index Updates

According to OSHA:
For wildfire smoke pollutant, use the Air Quality Index isa measurement of fine particles in the air.  An AQI over 150 is considered unhealthy for the general population.  An AQI over 101 can be unhealthy for sensitive workers with asthma and other conditions.

The employer must provide a sufficient number of respirators for employee use on a voluntary basis when the current AQI for PM2.5 is equal to or greater than 151 but does not exceed 500. The employer must require employees to use respirators when the current AQI for PM2.5 is greater than 500.

Current AQI ratings vary around New York State. You can access AQI for New York here: State AQI | AirNow.gov
Most regions are well above 150 as of right now, therefore employer must provide respirators for field workers upon request.

Merit Alliance designated as Apprenticeship Ambassador

Syracuse, NY – Merit Apprenticeship Alliance is proud to share that it was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor as one of the first of 207 officials and organizations from across the country as an Apprenticeship Ambassador.

Ambassadors share their experiences and help champion apprenticeship opportunities. There are only six ambassadors in New York State and Merit Alliance is the first to represent the construction trades.

“We are so proud to be among the first of Apprenticeship Ambassadors. Our mission is to promote sustainable careers through registered apprenticeship training. At its core, we are helping unemployed and underemployed individuals from across our diverse communities to focus on developing a career that they can rely upon to provide for themselves and their families.” says Penny Hazer, President of Merit Apprenticeship Alliance.

As an Apprenticeship Ambassador Merit Alliance has joined the rest of the first cohort in supporting the DOL’s goals of modernizing, diversifying, and expanding Registered Apprenticeship to support the success of American workers, employers, and communities across the country.

“Apprenticeship is key to developing a skilled workforce. It bridges the gap and gives qualified candidates the opportunity to earn while they learn. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Labor and our fellow Ambassadors to continue promoting apprenticeship as part of this important initiative.” – Stacy Miller, Director of Training and Curriculum of the Merit Alliance Construction Training Institute.

The Merit Apprenticeship Alliance and the rest of the inaugural group have pledged to host a combined 3,367 outreach and recruitment activities, 892 training sessions, 717 promotional meetings, and develop 460 new registered apprenticeship programs.

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Labor Day 2022

While for many Labor Day marks the unofficial end of Summer, Labor Day finds its origins as part of a movement to celebrate the achievements of the American worker. This is a day to remember the men and women who sacrificed their time and even their lives to fight for the improvement of working conditions and fair pay.

On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers marched from City Hall to Union Station in New York City. The march was followed by speeches given by community leaders and a picnic. However, it did not become the holiday we know it as today until June 28, 1894. Labor Day 2022 commemorates 127 years since then President Grover Cleveland signed the bill that declared the first Monday of September as a federal holiday. Americans have since celebrated the holiday annually with friends and family attending and participating in parades, picnics, and backyard barbecues.

Merit Alliance stands up for and with our apprentices and proudly partners with only the best contractors with proven health and safety standards. Integrity is at the forefront of everything that we do. Our promise is not only to match apprentices in jobs within the construction trades but to give them a chance for fulfilling, sustainable careers in construction.

This Labor Day, as every year in the past and future, we celebrate all the hard-working individuals and contractors under the Alliance as well as all laborers across America. We thank you - after all, this holiday is to celebrate you.

All of us at Merit Alliance wish you a safe, healthy and happy Labor Day weekend.
Virtual Job Fair!

We are holding a virtual job fair Wednesday March 23rd! Click the link below to sign up for one of the five info sessions!

2022 Virtual Job Fair
Upcoming Millwright I Class!

NCCER Millwright I class starts March 14th! Check out the class details and sign up using the link below!

MACTI.org/course-logistics/
Munroe County News

Have you seen this? Monroe County Executive Adam Bello Announces New Apprenticeship Training Requirement Pilot Program and Project Labor Agreement

Monroe County New Apprenticeship Training Requirement Pilot Program and PLA