September 2025

This report examines California’s registered apprenticeship system and its role in developing a skilled construction workforce. Findings show that union-affiliated apprenticeship programs provide rigorous training, support strong career pathways, and improve graduation rates, wages, and economic mobility across the industry.

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September 2021

This report examines apprenticeship outcomes in the greater Portland region, finding that union apprenticeship programs enrolled more women, Black, Indigenous, and other workers of color and produced stronger workforce outcomes than non-union programs.

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July 2026

This study analyzed 128 Sacramento County public works projects to evaluate how contractor type affects project outcomes, finding that union signatory prime contractors were associated with lower cost growth and faster project delivery.

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September 2025

This study analyzes 313 public works projects in Sacramento County, finding that projects built under project labor agreements (PLAs) were completed 15–17% faster and were significantly more likely to finish within one year than non-PLA projects.

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May 2022

This report explores how union contractors responded to rising construction labor shortages. Findings show that firms investing in apprenticeship training and job quality maintained more stable and diverse workforces while supporting higher wages, stronger benefits, safer jobsites, and improved workforce skills.

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January 2022

This report examines the effects of prevailing wage law repeals on construction labor markets and project outcomes. Findings show that states repealing prevailing wage laws experienced slower growth in wages, benefits, employment, and productivity, alongside higher rates of jobsite fatalities.

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