Monte Causey, Director of Recruitment Services
Mike Autry, Southeast Recruiting and Training Coordinator
Jeffrey Hughes, Director of National Training Services
In the last year, the Boilermakers have been ramping up recruiting efforts across the union, including the Southeast Section, with new programs, outreach strategies and training initiatives aimed at building the next generation of members.
Director of Recruitment Services Monte Causey, Southeast Recruiting and Training Coordinator Mike Autry and Director of National Training Services Jeff Hughes shared updates on recruiting initiatives.
Last year, the Southeast hired two new recruiters through the M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund. The new recruiters have visited more than 75 locations, including five ArcLab Centers, two Tulsa Welding School campuses, vocational training centers, high schools and Job Corps welding programs.
“The relationships we’re building at those facilities are instrumental and important to the future of our recruiting efforts,” Autry said.
The Southeast team has added 2,500 leads to its Salesforce database and converted 72 of those into active members. Recruiting ads launched in the spring are also generating results, with a second round of recruiting ads now up to find workers for Plant Yates in Georgia. Monthly recruiting leads have grown from about 200 in 2021–22 to more than 350 in 2025.
Training remains a key focus. The Southeast has launched a tube welding initiative offering three weeks of instruction for certified plate welders, with financial incentives for those who pass Common Arc testing. The effort, supported by M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund dollars, has already produced 34 new certified tube welders.
Recruiting efforts have also reached into new territory. The Boilermakers are now sponsoring ARCA Racecar #67, driven by Shane Backes. Causey said the decision reflects the overlap between racing fans and the union’s target demographic for recruiting.
“We thank the leadership for letting us try something different,” he said.
At the first sponsored race at Watkins Glen, recruiters passed out flyers in parking lots and spoke with attendees.
Hughes emphasized that such outreach could expand nationwide. “This is outreach for every local in the country,” he said. “Walk through the parking lots, hand out flyers and talk to people. We encourage all the locals in the country to help these recruiters.”