JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville City Council member and skilled-trades representatives discussed ways to involve more local registered apprentices in construction projects during a meeting Monday.
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Councilman Jimmy Peluso hosted the Oct. 19 meeting to discuss apprenticeships. Lance Fout, who represents SMART Local 435 sheet metal workers, said he wants apprenticeship language similar to what the Jacksonville Jaguars included in the team’s stadium project. Fout said, this would encourage local contractors to hire registered apprentices, union or non-union, for city-funded work.
Fout also asked whether some incentive money could be provided earlier in a project, rather than reserving it for a completion grant, if a company commits to hiring a certain number of apprentices.
Peluso said that proposal raises questions about private development projects, which may not be completed because of factors such as outside investors and banks.
He also said the city recently approved an incentive tied to hiring military veterans, their spouses or military members, and suggested that approach could potentially serve as a model.
City attorneys would need to clarify what is allowed, particularly for projects on city-owned property, he said. No policy change was announced at the meeting.
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