The CURT Workforce Development Award recognizes companies and organizations for extraordinary, exemplary, and innovative recruitment, training and education programs which either encourages individuals to pursue a career in the construction industry and/or enhance an individual's construction skills. During the CURT conference held in November, IMPACT won this award for the implementation of its Foreman Training Program.

The program was implemented several years ago for the benefit of both ironworker local unions and contractors. Its objective is to develop skilled foremen to meet the needs of contractors.

One of the keys to the success of the program was the labor/management group involved in its initial design. Management and contractor members represented The Association of Union Constructors, American Institute of Steel Construction, Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, National Association of Reinforcing Steel Contractors and the National Association of Miscellaneous, Ornamental and Architectural Products. Labor was represented by Ironworkers with extensive training, safety and supervision experience.

Upon receiving the award, General President and IMPACT Co-Chair Joseph Hunt commented, "The success of our foreman training initiative is due to labor and management working together toward a common goal - and labor-management cooperation is the cornerstone of IMPACT". Bill Brown, president of Ben Hur Construction and IMPACT Co-Chair added, "Training future leaders is essential to the success of our industry".

During the foreman training course, the participants learn the roles and responsibilities of the foreman, how to create an effective work team, communicate effectively, apply problem-solving skills, document and maintain records, maintain labor-management relations, plan and schedule work, implement a safety program, and ensure quality of work. IMPACT and the National Training Fund have conducted a large number of train-the-trainer courses in the U.S. and Canada, resulting in training being conducted in many local apprenticeship programs and for ironworker signatory contractors.

Based on the success of the Foreman Training Program, IMPACT is now developing a new General Foreman and Superintendent training manual and course. Look for more information on this new program this year.