An organization that works to strengthen the St. Louis minority- and women-owned contracting community has named IBEW Local 1 Business Manager Frank Jacobs to its board of directors. Jacobs will serve the Regional Union Construction Center (RUCC) for an unspecified term.
RUCC was launched in December 2007 as an initiative of PRIDE of St. Louis, Inc., now known as the Saint Louis Construction Cooperative. RUCC’s mission is to help minority and women owners of union construction companies grow businesses through a structured program that helps them improve their business skills. After having their operation assessed by industry experts, participants receive a tailored training and educational program, one-on-one counseling and have a five-person business advisory board they meet with monthly.
Under Jacobs’ and St. Louis NECA Executive Vice President Doug Martin’s leadership the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership was recently honored with an Inclusion Award from the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers. IBEW/NECA has supported RUCC since its inception 11 years ago.
Jacobs chairs the IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund, which oversees workforce training at the training center. More than 25 percent of apprentices enrolled in the training center are minorities. In 2017, IBEW/NECA formed an education partnership with St. Louis Community College to further career development.
