The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. is giving an Employer of the Year Award in Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana Counties for employers who have significantly contributed to the workforce development system within the region. This award highlights the collaboration of business and workforce development in the three counties. All three companies have significantly contributed to building a skilled workforce.
2024 Butler County Employer of the Year – Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works
Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works has been a staple in this community for over I00 years. The Butler Works currently employs 1,200 men and women that have a direct impact on our community. Many current employees are veterans that have bravely served in our armed forces. They also employ several reservists that continue to support our military today. Some employees are second and third generation.
Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works is the last producer of Grain Oriented Electrical Steels (GOES) in the United States. The product produced at this plant by the highly skilled workforce and members of the UAW Local 3303 is used to make transformers that power our electrical grid and sustain our national growth and security. Their workforce is comprised of highly trained operations and maintenance employees that continually hone their skills through both internal training programs and partnership training through local organizations such as Butler County Community College.
Maintenance employees complete a state certified apprenticeship program accredited and tracked through PA CareerLink®. All new job postings are directly posted through PA CareerLink®. Butler Works utilizes both BC3 and two full-time internal UAW trainers for the apprentice program as well as the necessary on the job training tracked to the specific job qualifications.
Cleveland-Cliffs has invested $300 million in Butler Works over the last 12 years. These investments in the areas of expansion and environmental improvements helped Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works to recently be awarded $75 million dollars by the DOE for the installation of four slab induction reheat furnaces that will replace the existing high temperature natural gas fired furnaces. This innovative process will not only improve the product quality and increase production of GOES, but will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. The existing partnership with BC3 will be utilized to provide the additional training necessary to maintain the new equipment with the maintenance employees.
The Secretary of Energy, Ms. Jennifer Granholm, recently toured the facility to see the location of the DOE grant funding for the IRF furnace project. She was able to directly engage with Butler Works most valuable asset, their employees. Because of the support of Cleveland-Cliffs and the unified efforts of the UAW 3303, Butler Works was supported on the final DOE ruling for transformer efficiency. That support provides a pathway to investment and growth of Grain Oriented Electrical Steels here at the Butler Works for many years to come.
Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works is an active member in the Tri-County Manufacturing Consortium. Through working collaboratively with local workforce development resource partners, mutual opportunities are presented for their employees and the continued success of the company.
Cleveland-Cliffs is invested not only in its employees, but also in the communities where their plants are located. Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works donates to many charities that support local youth sport programs and educational programs for children. Some of these activities include career day at the plant, tours for educational programs from Butler High School and Slippery Rock College, and mentor programs utilizing their talented workforce. Several employees started their career at the Butler Works as interns or cooperative students that led to full-time employment.
The plant works directly with the ARC program in Butler. Many of the employees support the United Way of Butler County or various other nonprofit organizations. The annual food-drive this year supporting the Lighthouse Foundation generated over 6,900 pounds of food. Cliffs’ collaborated with the Cleveland Cavaliers to hold the Bigger Than Basketball initiative event this spring and all proceeds were donated to The Weekend Backpack Program.