Ironworkers Local 549 of Wheeling Gets $500,000 for Welding Program

WHEELING — Ironworkers Local 549 of Wheeling has received a $500,000 federal grant to expand its welding apprenticeship program.

The funding was secured through a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request. Both U.S. senators from West Virginia — Republican Shelley Moore Capito and Democrat Joe Manchin — are members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Local 549 has 350 working members and brings in about 30 new apprentice welders each year, according to Stephen Sipos, apprenticeship coordinator.

The recent uptick in construct projects means more welders and other union trades workers are needed, he explained.

“The $500,000 will be used to grow our welding program,” Sipos continued. “We will be upgrading our shop to have 20 welding booths which better helps us to accommodate all the work in the area.”

The shop presently has 12 booths, he said.

Sipos added that in addition to welding, the union ironworkers are called upon to also do bridge work, and are involved in rebar and concrete construction as well as the building of bridge walls and curtain walls.

They are also called upon for the framing of large glass windows in commercial buildings.

The union will be able to make the necessary purchases of equipment for the expanded welding shop after today, and Local 549 will be reimbursed by the federal government, according to Sipos.

Additional welding machines and material equipment will be purchased, and there will be improvements to the building’s ventilation system.

“One of the biggest expenses will be upgrades to the electrical system,” he continued. “We will be using local union contractors to do the work.”

Local 549 includes union welders working in 12 counties in Northern West Virginia, six in Eastern Ohio and two in Western Pennsylvania.

Those interested in being apprentice welders in the program may apply online at iwlocal549.org.

“Once we receive the applications, we keep them on file,” Sipos said. “Then we contact them and let them know the next steps. We start a class at the end of each summer.”

Those needing more information also may call the Local 549 office at 304-232-9610.

“The 21st century economy requires innovative approaches to workforce development and education, and apprenticeships are one way to do that,” Capito, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, said. “I am glad to have been able to consider and fund this request made by folks in Wheeling to help advance job training and employment opportunities. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to support programs that provide West Virginians with paths to a family-sustaining wage.”

Manchin also said it was important that the Mountain State’s ironworkers receive the resources necessary to keep the industry strong.

“West Virginians are some of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet, and I’m pleased that DOL is investing $500,000 in the Wheeling Ironworkers Local 549,” said Manchin. “The funding will be used to purchase essential equipment and support their certified apprenticeship program, which will further enable skilled craftsmen to safely and efficiently complete vital projects. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources that create economic opportunity and support West Virginia’s ironworkers.”