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Union members, apprentices urge city to keep apprenticeship goals in Jaguar Stadium deal
Summary
Multiple journeymen and apprentices told the council the apprenticeship language in the Jaguar Stadium agreement will create career pathways and urged the city to expand similar requirements to other projects. Labor leaders said they expect to exceed the council’s apprenticeship goals.
Union leaders and current apprentices told the Jacksonville City Council during public comment on Nov. 12 that the apprenticeship language included in the Jaguar Stadium construction agreement will deliver jobs and long-term career pathways for local residents.
Lance Fout, business manager for Sheet Metal Workers Local 435 and president of the North Florida Building Construction Trades Council, thanked council members for cosponsoring the apprenticeship language and said, "Apprenticeship changes lives. It changed my life, and it has changed many lives in this room." Fout said unions and nonunion apprentices will work together on the stadium project.
Several apprentices and journeymen offered personal testimony. Athanas Clark, an apprentice, described the training program as "an essential tool" that opened opportunities and said the stadium project is a landmark that will provide pride and employment for many. John Milford, a journeyman electrician, urged the council to consider a standing committee to support and expand Jacksonville’s apprenticeship programs.
Speakers asked the council to expand apprenticeship goals to future projects and to create sustained institutional support. "I would also advocate for the creation of a committee under the direction of this council dedicated to the support and growth of Jacksonville's local apprenticeship programs," Milford said. Council members who heard the speakers expressed public support and gratitude for the workforce perspective.
The public-comment block showed strong, organized backing from building-trades leadership and multiple apprentices; council members agreed to continue engagement with stakeholders during committee work on stadium agreements and future procurement language.
