The Western Region of the SSMRC expanded its growth in the light-conveyor distribution market by doubling our work hours compared to 2021 for the first two quarters of 2022. The fall season is looking extremely lucrative, with multiple projects across north and central Texas planned.
We have re-captured work at several power-generation facilities and have expanded into new facilities. The influx of gas and steam turbine work has been a welcome addition to our region, which is usually dominated by the petrochemical industry. Also, our hydropower work has started in Oklahoma, and we are looking at expanding opportunities for work in the Texas hydro market in the near future.
Local 729 in Louisiana and Local 2232 in Texas have been successful in working compressor- and aero-derivative turbine outages at the newly constructed LNG facilities as they have come into their maintenance cycles. The projects have generated in excess of 50,000 work hours in the first part of the year and should continue to be a major source of work opportunity.
We have continued our outreach and recruitment efforts by partnering with vocational programs across the four-state footprint. We are working to establish relationships with high school programs with strong mechanical curricula. The SSMRC is focused on recruiting the next generation of millwrights, who will be sorely needed.
Our training programs and business representatives have continued to innovate and improve our curriculum and schedules to ensure we optimize our apprentices’ availability for work and produce journey-level graduates as quickly as possible.