With support of the building trade unions, Temple and the contractors established and funded the Construction Orientation Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. In addition, the University launched a series of free Construction Opportunity Seminars to provide information to minority and women-owned businesses and to encourage them to participate in the competitive bidding process. Surety Bonding Workshops were also offered free of charge to address the insurance and bonding requirements that small-business owners face. It includes The Forum, with 11,000 seats for concerts and convocations, and 10,205 seats for basketball. According to Vice President White, investments like The Apollo, in tandem with serious voluntary efforts to boost participation by women and minorities, actually benefit more than the employees and contractors who are directly involved.
Contractors gain by having a larger pool of skilled workers from which to hire.
Women and minorities gain better access to the private sector and they depend less upon the public sector for jobs.