The 26th annual Ironworker Instructor Training Program was held July 13–23, 2010 at its new home in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University.
Executive Director of Apprenticeship and Training Mike White welcomed approximately 600 participants and introduced General President Joseph Hunt. "We have the best instructor training program in the building trades," announced President Hunt in opening the program. Regarding moving the annual training program to Michigan, General Secretary Walter Wise said "Change is never easy and that when there is no change there is no growth." General Treasurer Edward McHugh added "Remember what you are here for - the goal is to develop skilled and productive Ironworkers.
National Training Fund Management Co-Chair Vic Cornellier, President of TSI Exterior Wall Systems; Eric Waterman, IMPACT CEO; and Bill Brown, President of Ben Hur Construction Company and IMPACT Management Co-Chair also addressed the participants during the opening session.
House Speaker Andy Dillon, Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, and Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber along with officials from Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University were also in attendance to greet the Ironworkers.
The annual training program ensures that the Ironworkers have qualified instructors and apprenticeship coordinators able to develop the skilled Ironworkers to meet the needs of our employers and contractors. For the first time this year, an advanced training course for Business Managers was conducted.
Each year the National Training Fund and IMPACT upgrade existing courses and develop new courses for our coordinators and instructors. In 2010 several new and revised courses were held including:
- New Apprenticeship Coordinator Course
- Advanced Business Manager Training Course
- Green Awareness Training for Ironworkers
The following courses were based on new training packages developed this past year by the National Training Fund and IMPACT:
- Operating Layout Instruments
- Mathematics for Ironworkers
- Conveyor Installation and Industrial Maintenance
Frank Piccione of the National Training Fund announced that 18 local unions were receiving their certificates indicating successful completion of the Ironworker Apprenticeship Certification Program (IACP). In addition, Rick Sullivan, IMPACT Director of Education and Training announced that 23 individuals were receiving their Qualified Ironworker Instructor Certificate indicating completion of required courses as part of the annual training program.
One of the reasons the annual program continues to be a success is the participation of our supporting vendors. These vendors conduct courses, give presentations and demonstrations with state-of-the-art equipment, offer training materials, run contests, and have become an integral part of the program.
This year, our vendors included: Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Applied Bolting Technologies, Max USA, Hilti, Crosby Group, Klein Tools, Miller Electric, BarSplice Products, Calculated Industries, Smith Equipment, Clean Air America, Hytorc, Hypertherm, Robovent, Metabo, Marmac, and others.
The 26th Annual Ironworker Instructor Training Program marked another successful year. Mark your calendars and join us July 17–22, 2011 to participate in this quality program dedicated to strengthening our apprenticeship and training system.