Keith Sonderling Visits SMACNA Philadelphia

Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling visited a Philadelphia-area SMACNA contractor and sat down with the SMCA chapter’s leadership. Sonderling led an issues roundtable to discuss current business conditions and the state of the industry. He was welcomed at SMCA (SMACNA Philadelphia) by Executive Director Pete Jenkins and Prime Sheetmetal CEO Dominic Bonitatis. Following a brief discussion, they toured Prime Sheet Metal, where Bonitatis provided a detailed overview of sheet-metal fabrication and the specialty subcontracting role in the marketplace. The group then returned to the SMCA office boardroom for an industry-focused roundtable discussion and to hear the Acting Secretary’s top priorities for workforce training, registered apprenticeship and safety education, and OSHA enforcement. SMCA leaders shared their experiences in the Philadelphia region regarding the importance of registered apprenticeship, apprentice recruitment, and mega-project management. Jenkins, Bonitatis, Ernest J. Menold, and Jennifer Lohr emphasized the significant value of their partnership with Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, which boosted apprenticeships, supported highly skilled workforce development, and developed a variety of joint union-management initiatives. Stan Kolbe, SMACNA’s Executive Director of Government and Political Affairs, also attended and participated in the roundtable discussions on national issues, including tax reforms, data center development, and Congressional action on Veteran recruitment and training.

During his remarks, the Secretary emphasized the importance of safety, strong public-private training partnerships, and the Department of Labor's goal of expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities nationwide.