Still catching up from the long weekend? We’re right there with ya. While we’re moving slow, let’s talk about something that doesn’t—high-speed light rails. Here are updates on four rail projects currently in process: 

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grant funding to organizations in Illinois, Virginia and Wisconsin to help recruit, train and retain more women in quality pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The grants will help women pursue careers in manufacturing, infrastructure, cybersecurity, health care and other industries. Details here. 

Epiroc, a productivity partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, has introduced the Mining and Construction USA blog, a new information hub for the two industries. Visitors will discover content designed to help their operations increase productivity, safety and cost efficiency. They will also read about how to use latest advancements in technology to their full potential. More details here. 

Firms are boosting pay and benefits, adding new training programs and adopting new technologies to cope, but labor shortages threaten broader economic growth as officials outline federal measures to help with the skilled labor shortage. 

A federal judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has awarded $1,047,399 in lost wages and punitive damages to two former employees of a Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, manufacturer after a jury found the company and its owner fired them in retaliation for their participation in a federal safety investigation. Details here. 

Alloy steel pipe prices are seeing some upward pressure from rising nickel prices; however, carbon steel pipe prices remain flat due to weakness in demand from the upstream oil and gas sector and excess inventory level. Details here. 

To help address worker shortages, ICUEE 2019-The Demo Expowill host a special careers day at the show for hundreds of high school students to see the many rewarding industry careers available. Details here.