St. Louis BUD program wins What’s Right with the Region award

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Missouri Correspondent

The Missouri Works Initiative’s Building Union Diversity (BUD) program has received a What’s Right with the Region Award from FOCUS St. Louis, a civic leadership organization.

Each year, FOCUS applauds the efforts of the individuals, organizations and/or initiatives making a positive difference in the St. Louis region with its What’s Right With the Region awards. Over the past 26 years, FOCUS has celebrated the accomplishments of more than 500 honorees.

The Missouri Works Initiative received the award for its dedication to the growth of the region and building a stronger workforce and economy for the benefit of all. Missouri Works Initiative Executive Director Megan Price and St. Louis BUD Program Coordinator Aurora Bihler accepted the award on behalf of the program at a May 11 ceremony at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

‘GRATEFUL FOR THE RECOGNITION’
“I’m grateful for the recognition for the work the BUD gang – including the BUD grads – have done to receive the What’s Right in the Region award,” said Bihler, a member of Iron Workers Local 396. “Thank you to the mysterious person who nominated us.”

The six-week BUD program was created in 2014 by the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council as a recruitment tool to encourage more minorities and women to get into the union building trades. It provides pre-apprentices with the opportunity for a week-long visit at participating local building trade unions to give them hands-on basic training and a feel for each of the trades.

92% GRADUATION RATE
Last year, the Missouri AFL-CIO’s Missouri Works Initiative took over the BUD program and is successfully replicating it in the Kansas City and Springfield, Mo. markets. The St. Louis program boasts a 92 percent graduation rate and an 82 percent placement rate.

For more information on the BUD program, visit moworksinitiative.org.