Raising Participation of Women, Minorities in Skilled Trades

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez joined U.S. Senator Al Franken and Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to showcase the greater percentage of women and people of color in trade positions that helped complete the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium.

“We’re not only building a building, we’re building the middle class,” said Perez. “When you not only meet, but exceed, over 37 percent minority participation, 8 or 9 percent… female participation, that is consistent with the goals and values of this state,” he added.

“Everybody out there should realize that the medium salary for a plumber and pipefitters is about sixty-three thousand dollars, and there is only 1.8 percent women participation in those trades, so we can do so much better," said Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith. She pointed to the thousands of women who worked on the U.S. Bank stadium as an example of future potential to help raise economic opportunities for women and people of color.