ABOUT BUD

The Building Union Diversity (BUD) program is a five-week union construction pre-apprenticeship program, offered at no charge to selected individuals who meet the admission requirements. BUD offers enrollees a comprehensive introduction to construction employment and provides relevant national skills certification training, with a particular focus on job safety. During the program, several local unions also open their training centers to give participants some hands-on experience and a feel for each of the trades. The St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) has assembled a team of more than eight cooperating joint labor-management construction training programs (known as JATCs) to implement this pre-apprenticeship training program. Once participants have successfully completed training, they are enrolled in the BCTC employer/contractor database. The database serves as a pool of pre-qualified workers at various skills levels and proficiencies and is used by the construction owners and others in supporting the workforce inclusion goals that they are expected to meet and/or exceed, particularly in public-supported construction projects. The BCTC program team is committed to work with partnering owners and only offers training when entry-level jobs are available. Through its collaboration with contractors, Workforce Development Boards (WDBs), soft skills providers and other stakeholders, BUD is able to provide job and personal support services that offer participants and placed graduates the best possible chance for success. BUD also tracks graduate success. This success is exemplified in its 82% placement rate.

The BCTC program team includes, among others:

• Bricklayers Local 1 Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council Apprenticeship Program
• Construction Craft Laborers Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• Iron Workers Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• Operating Engineers Local 513 Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• Plumbers & Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• Sheet Metal Workers Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• Cement Masons Joint Apprenticeship Training Program
• Floor Layers Joint Apprenticeship Program

The St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) and the Building Union Diversity Program BUD) has assembled a team of more than eight (8) cooperating joint labor-management construction training programs (known as JATCs) to implement and manage a construction skills pre-apprenticeship training program. Collectively, this group of U.S. Department of Labor (US-DOL) approved apprenticeship training programs, works with area Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) and non-profit job training organizations serving the un- and under-employed to identify candidates interested in pursuing careers in the construction industry. Funding and support also come from The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

BUD participants must meet the following requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 18 years of age
• Pass a drug test
• Score at least a Level 5 on the WorkKeys Applied Math test
• Score at least a Level 5 on the WorkKeys Workplace Documents test
• Have access to a vehicle at program completion

In addition to the free pre-apprentice training, BUD also offers support services participants including:

• Transportation to the training centers from a central location.
• Bus passes
• A $50 weekly stipend during the training.
• Safety equipment (boots, helmet, glasses).
• Work clothing (pants and shirts).
• A $150 tool allowance once indentured to an apprentice program.
• Discretionary support funding through the United Way.
• Access to mentoring after the program from experienced construction trade members
• The possibility of short-term transportation assistance after graduation

Due to COVID19, the 2020 Bud Program class schedule has been changed. 

• Round 3: Cancelled. 
• Round 4: August 3rd - September 4th. Round 4 was originally scheduled to begin on August 17^th. Due to COVID19, the program has been rescheduled. We will do our interviews on Wednesday, July 29^th. Classes will start Monday, August 3^rd and run through Friday, September 4^th. Graduation will take place on September 9^th or 10th.

Social service agencies are encouraged to refer their clients to apply for the BUD program. Currently, organizations such as the Fathers Support Center or the Center for Women in Transition have referred their clients to BUD and assist in ensuring that their clients are successful in completing the program and getting a job.

Recruiting agencies have two ways to refer to the BUD program:

1. Agency referral to SLATE (314-657-3513) or St. Louis County Workforce Development (314-679-3300) who will conduct the entire BUD vetting and referral process, or
2. Agency is responsible for fully vetting any BUD program candidate in the following areas:
   • Determining that the candidate has a strong interest in the construction Trades career
   • Confirming that the candidate is at least age of 18.
   • Confirming that the applicant has a High School Degree/GED or post-secondary education
   • Determining if the candidate is unemployed or under-employed
   • Confirming that the candidate has the ability to pass a Drug Test . Note that the candidate will be tested during the first week of the BUD program.
   • Confirming that applicant has achieved a Level 5 on the WorkKeys Applied Math and Workplace Documents assessment.
   • Confirming that the candidate completes a BUD application , and
   • Confirming that the candidate has a resume and brings it to the interview.

The agency should send a list of referrals to the BUD director at least one week before the beginning of the BUD class.
Agency incentives are available for any Non-WIOA funded entity, as follows:

• $200 for each referral who successfully makes it to week 2 of training.
• $800 for each referral who is indentured into an approved (US-DOL’s OA) construction joint apprenticeship program—within 40 days of completion

Download Referral Form