On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, former Occupational Safety and Health Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary and health and safety advocate Jordan Barab discussed the critical state of worker safety in America. As the author of the Confined Space newsletter and an expert with decades of experience, Barab offered a detailed perspective on the underfunding of OSHA, the enforcement process of safety laws and the real stories behind workplace fatalities.

Illinois Economic Policy Institute economist Frank Manzo appeared on this edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a study on the state’s pre-apprenticeship programs. Highlighting years of research, Manzo broke down how these initiatives, supported by both federal and state investments, are creating skilled labor pipelines, transforming lives and boosting economic returns in Illinois. His insights shed light on the success of these programs in attracting women and minorities to construction careers, as well as why they’re garnering attention from policymakers and other states.