IUOE News Spring 2014

Training Association
Brother Luke Hudgins
learning to weld in the
Plant Operator class.
Ridge facility, as well as joint venture opportunities with other
training institutions.
These would be combined with marketing and outreach
programs to make sure we reach out to as many potential
trainees as possible and to ensure they are supported once
they have completed their training.
Each strategic option carries its own valuable opportunities
and unique challenges. We must look at all the possibilities
while ensuring we maintain our high training standards, so
that we can send new skilled workers onto jobs safely, with the
skills they need to be an asset to the employer and our
membership.
We look forward to finalizing the Local Union’s Northern
Training Strategy and sharing it with our members very soon.
Program Review Committees
Several years ago we established four Program Advisory
Committees. They are Mobile Crane Operator, Heavy Equipment
Operator, Asphalt Laydown Technician and Plant
Operator. The purpose of these committees is to review the
program outlines and confirm that the instructors’ qualifications,
training materials, and facilities are adequate and that
the training meets or exceeds industry standards.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the
members who participated on these committees, I look
forward to their continued support and participation in the
future.
Staff Changes
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome aboard
Brother Mark McGregor. Mark has been hired as a second
crane instructor to work with Brother Rick Anderson at the
training site. Generally we have between 50 and 60 Mobile
Crane apprentices. Currently we have close to 90 with jobs
available that we cannot supply apprentices for.
We will be increasing our number of Crane Common Core
and Level 2 Lattice Friction courses. This is mostly due to the
increased amount of work in the Lower Mainland and the
north, as well as to replace members who are retiring. We look
forward to working with Mark as part of our team.
Brother Rick Anderson was off work for a period of time. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank Brother Gordon
Lindberg; Gordon came out to instruct several classes for us.
Gordon worked as the Mobile Crane instructor for eight years
at the site and retired in June 2007. Thanks Gordon!
Annual Open House
I look forward to seeing everyone this year at our 19th
Annual Open House and Heavy Equipment Rodeo on Saturday,
June 21, 2014 at our Maple Ridge Training Site.
We need close to 80 volunteers to make this great family
event a continuing success in 2014. If you are interested in
volunteering or require more information, please call the
Training Association at 604-299-7764.
See you there.
News March 2014 29