The Michigan Laborers Training and Apprenticeship Institute (MLTAI) has completed a two-year expansion and renovation of its Wayne training facility to meet the growing manpower needs of the construction industry.

The $1 million-plus expansion and renovation includes an 8,000 square-foot addition with a 26-foot ceiling clearance, adding much-needed space to the Laborers' existing 14,000 square-foot training center.

The floor is sand in order to allow excavating training activities, and the high ceiling will allow training on equipment such as forklifts and scaffolding. The facility also includes new high-tech classrooms and a lunchroom for students.

"MLTAI programs give union laborers an understanding of the skills, materials, equipment and the attitude needed to work in the construction industry," said Jerry Hall of the Michigan Laborers District Council. "The new addition will allow us to increase the number of training classes held, and increase the types of classes offered."

The Laborers in Michigan have two other training facilities, in Perry and in Iron Mountain. Since 1971, the institute has trained more than 17,000 construction craft laborers. Graduates job descriptions include highway construction, demolition, underground construction, hazardous material abatement, excavation, and mason tending.

"Highly trained, skilled union laborers are critically important to building contractors," said Forrest Henry of the Associated General Contractors of America, Greater Detroit Chapter, Inc. "They enable us to compete our projects on time and on budget."

THE RIBBON IS CUT on the expanded Laborers training facility. Present were (l-r) Mike Eckert, Trustee, Mich. Road Builders; Rob Coppersmith, Mgt. Trustee, AGC; Bob Chwalek, Union Trustee, Local 1076; Jack Hartupee, Union Trustee, Local 1098; Robert Malcolm, Union Trustee, Local 959; Gary Fountain, Union Trustee, Local 355; Barb Strachan, Mgt. Trustee, Mich. Chapter AGC; Terry Roster, Site Director, Jerry Hall, Union Trustee, Mich. Laborers District Council; Mark Pulice, Union Trustee, Local 1191; Geno Allessandrini, Union Trustee, Local 1191; Bob Fontana, Management Trustee, Mich. Chapter AGC, Vern Covington, Union Trustee, Local 334.