When Kaiser Permanente started in 1945, its mission was to serve blue-collar workers and their families with reliable, cost-effective health coverage. Since then, Kaiser Permanente has grown into a health care giant with 12.6 million members.
And it is still making a big difference for working families. Kaiser Permanente is the health provider of choice for many Building Trades union members, and builds its facilities with a Building Trades union workforce.
Recently, Kaiser Permanente in Southern California made another step in the partnership: a contribution of $5,000 to the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund (ARF).
The ARF is the nonprofit created by the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. ARF oversees more than two dozen programs that prepare individuals for success in Building Trades apprenticeships.
These programs run full-time for about eight to 12 weeks, and are available in a variety of locations and schedules,making them convenient to attend no matter where a student lives.
The curriculum is hands-on, and covers topics ranging from good workplace habits to construction safety to a “taste” of the different Trades.
More than 1,500 people have been placed into union apprenticeship through ARF programs.
“ARF’s goal is to bring in individuals who have faced challenges to employment,” explains Ben Garcia, Executive Director of ARF. “This includes folks who have been in foster care; who are formerly incarcerated; or have barriers like lack of a driver’s license or high school diploma.
“We work with them, step by step, to get them ready for the workforce.”
Ernesto Medrano, Executive Secretary of the LA/OC Building Trades, attends many of the ARF graduations.
“These are some of my proudest moments, as if I were watching my own kids up there, receiving their certificates,” he says. “These ARF graduates are ready to work, and enthusiastic about their futures with the Building Trades.”
Medrano points to the example of James Morgan, a journeyman with Laborers Local 300.
Morgan is now working regularly, and saving to buy a home with his wife. He’s an Army veteran.
But earlier in life, Morgan faced several challenges, including incarceration and homelessness. He connected with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, one of ARF’s first program partners, and went through its disciplined, bootcamp-style classes.
“That program made all the difference to me,” Morgan says. “I’m working right now for PCL on Destination Crenshaw, lifting up a historic LA neighborhood.”
One of the big issues for ARF graduates is how to cover the basics once they start working for their first paychecks.
A “starter kit” of tools, sturdy clothing and footwear can run several hundred dollars. Even the gas money to get to and from classes and the worksite can be difficult to find.
“That’s where the Kaiser Permanente contribution really helps,” Garcia says. “This kind of funding is flexible and allows us to use it in an effective, widespread way, from a couple hundred dollars to just a few. Twenty or 30 dollars is what we call a ‘micro-grant.’ It doesn’t sound like a lot. But if it helps someone put gas in the car or buy good socks for their boots, and that’s what they need to succeed at the worksite—it’s worth it.”
Michelle Gaskill-Hames, Regional President for Kaiser Permanente, Southern California and Hawaii, praises the partnership.
“Kaiser Permanente is committed to supporting equitable access to quality jobs in the Building Trades. The Apprenticeship Readiness Fund is aligned with our mission to improve the overall health of the communities we serve,” says Gaskill-Hames, who holds BSN and MHA degrees. “We commend the Building Trades for helping individuals facing employment challenges develop the skillset necessary to be a part of this critical union workforce.”“We’re grateful for Kaiser Permanente’s partnership, in building union, providing family health care and now, helping our next generation of Trades members through ARF,” Garcia says. “I’m sure many of these members will go on to enjoy Kaiser Permanente services and build its facilities.”