The Iron Workers Union and the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) announced last week “Superintendent Training for Ironworkers,” a blended learning pilot course designed to develop skilled, effective construction site superintendents.  The course aims to benefit partner contractors by providing highly trained management personnel to oversee construction jobsites.

“The course is designed for Ironworkers who have completed the ‘Foreman Training’ course or have experience as a foreman, general foreman or superintendent,” said Eric Waterman, IMPACT CEO.  “So this course serves as an extension of our current training.” 

Waterman added that the course fulfills a crucial need as expressed by our contractors.  “As regulations constantly change and as new technologies transform the face of the construction industry, we want to make sure superintendents have the know-how to deal with the dynamics of the industry. We also want to make sure that our contractors view us as the best of the best,” he said.

“Blended learning” refers to the self-study, online and group-based components the course incorporates.  Enrollees of the pilot course are still involved in the self-study and online components of the training.  Each of them will attend the hands-on, interactive portion in May at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md.

“This course is yet another step in our march toward doubling market share by 2020,” said Walter Wise, General President of the Iron Workers Union.  “Ironworkers are looking ahead and training superintendents and Ironworkers not just for the jobs of today, but for the leadership positions that will undoubtedly be needed in the constantly changing world of tomorrow.”

This summer following the conclusion of the pilot course, Ironworkers and contractor partners will be able to access additional information about future courses on IMPACT’s website at www.impact-net.org.

“We are confident that this new blended learning course will help develop skilled superintendents,” added Lee Worley, Executive Director of the Apprenticeship and Training Department. “This course will also allow more Ironworkers to assume leadership positions with our contractors.”

About the Iron Workers Union: The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IABSO&RIW) was founded in 1896 in Pittsburgh, Penn. They now represent more than 125,000 Ironworkers throughout the United States and Canada. The IABSO&RIW’s mission is to improve the working conditions of its members while promoting constructive relationships with their employers to increase work opportunities.

About IMPACT (www.impact-net.org):The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), affiliated with the Iron Workers Union, is a labor-management partnership designed to create work opportunities in the North American ironworking industry.  Our primary mission is to provide a forum for Ironworkers and signatory contractors to discuss effective strategies aimed to expand job opportunities through innovative labor-management cooperative programs.  IMPACT provides expertise in training, construction certifications, marketing, construction project tracking and bidding, insurance and Davis-Bacon compliance efforts.  IMPACT also administers a world-class substance abuse program to ensure that Ironworkers are safe, drug-free and ready to work.

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Contact: Brennan Gamwell, Communications Specialist, (800) 545-4921