Calgary, Alberta, Canada – More than 25 ironworkers and ironworker superintendents met in Calgary last week to go through Iron Workers Superintendent Training to upgrade their skills and become leaders in the field.
“To see so many ironworkers wanting to upgrade their skills is really inspiring,” says Bert Royer, Canadian Regional Director for the Ironworkers Management Progressive Action Trust. “We want to help skilled ironworkers take on more leadership positions with our signatory contractors.”
Ironworkers from Locals 720 (Edmonton, Alberta), 725 (Calgary), 728 (Winnipeg, Manitoba), 736 (Ancaster, Ontario) and 771 (Regina, Saskatchewan) representing AECON; Super Metal; Old Castle; Supreme Steel; Waiward Steel; Empire Iron; AGF Rebar; Walters, Inc.; Eskimo Steel; Three Star Steel; A & H Steel; and Fluor met at the Deer Foot Hotel in Calgary.
“We are thrilled so many contractors and ironworkers came together for this leadership training,” says IMPACT CEO Kevin Hilton. “Developing strong ironworker and contractor leadership will only help us continue to complete projects safely, on time and on budget.”
"Both pertinent and engaging, this course was not the 'sleeper' I expected it to be," says Rick Ruigrok with Ironworkers Local 720. "A wealth of insight was given, which could otherwise only have been gained through years of experience."
The primary objective of the course is to train journeyman ironworkers with leadership experience to be superintendents. Students review the Superintendent Training for Ironworkers reference manual and complete a series of online learning exercises before attending the training. The online portion of the training consists of readings and tests for comprehension. The trainees then work in small groups with instructors over a three-day, in-person period to learn the responsibilities of superintendents; how to manage project schedules, people, information, the jobsite and safety; communication skills; how to close out a project and basic construction finance and law.
"I strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to become a superintendent," says Ulysse Brideau, a Field Superintendent for AGF-C&T Rebar Inc. "It is full of knowledge you will need for the field."
The course was instructed by Mike Relyin, General Organizer for Iron Workers International, and Joe Werbeck, Superintendent for BAPKO Metal, Inc.