IUOE News Spring 2014

Training Association
Strategic planning
and responding to
industry demand will
grow our ranks
Brad Randall,
Training Administrator
Hello again to all our members in 2014.
Training Courses
The Training Site continues to be busy with our regular
courses for Plant Operator, Asphalt Laydown Technician,
Mobile Crane Common Core, Mobile Crane Lattice Friction,
Road Building Foundation and Heavy Equipment Operator
(HEO).
We have also been providing a great deal of off-site training,
in the form of courses for our members and contractors
such as HEO refresher, crane refresher, rigging, forklift,
asphalt laydown, excavator, and grader. We continue to work
with our members and contractors in the road building industry
to assist them in obtaining their BC Heavy Equipment
Operator and Asphalt Laydown Technician Certificates of
Qualification.
Work Opportunities in Northern BC
There has been a lot of talk about the projects up north, not
only regarding how they will affect our economy, but also how
they present opportunities to engage local and Aboriginal
peoples in much needed training initiatives.
With the growing demand for skilled operators and trades
workers during the proposed projects, these groups need to be
involved and to benefit from the investments being made in
their back yard. Many organizations and training institutions
are starting to prepare themselves to address the skills gap.
Your Local Union has been heavily involved for the past
few months putting together our “Northern Training Strategy”
to meet these challenges. We have engaged with First
Nations groups, attended Aboriginal awareness sessions, and
met with other institutions to propose innovative training
approaches to meet the unique circumstances of the projects
and the local communities.
We have discussed many proactive ideas which address the
issues that usually come with training people in remote and
dispersed areas, who may never have thought of a regular
construction job as a career option. Fortunately, our worldclass
courses, broad experience, mobile facilities, flexible
approach, and growing insight into unique Aboriginal work
culture puts us in an enviable position to offer a strategic
solution.
We are developing a strategy for 2014 and beyond which
will see us become a valuable and preferred training provider
to our northern friends. While the actual strategic elements
are still being evaluated, it is an exciting and innovative
approach toward northern training that will ensure we are
able to train local workers quickly and effectively, in a way
that respects and acknowledges the lifestyles, culture and
expectations of both Aboriginal people and the construction
industry.
Currently, we are reviewing many options, some of which
have never considered before. These include the use of mobile
community based training facilities, local theoretical and
practical courses, split and overlapping courses at our Maple
HEO class on a field trip to Pitt River
Quarries. Many thanks to the company
for allowing students on site and taking
them for a tour of their facility.
Sister Anna Marie Peterson performing an inspection as part of her telehandler training. All students
at the site receive their telehandler certification, which is compulsory through Worksafe.
26 News March 2014