IUOE News December 2014

Courses starting up
for another year at
our Training Site
Brad Randall,
Training Administrator
Staff changes
Brother Tom Kinnear started working for the Training Association
over 3 years ago as a Training Coordinator and over
that time has done a great job representing our membership.
In October of this year, Tom started working for the Local
Union as a Business Representative. I know
Tom will continue to do a great job and we
all look forward to working with Tom in his
new capacity.
Training programs
Hours of employment for our members
continues to improve year after year. 2014
was another banner year for Operating Engineers. We’re
keeping our fingers crossed for 2015 however the outlook at
this time appears to be a little uncertain.
Currently we have over 480 apprentices and trainees, 85%
of which are currently employed. We provided upgrading
training to over 350 members this year on the job and will
continue to provide on the job training for our members and
contractors on an as needed basis.
We have a very busy year coming up at the Training Site.
Starting in January we are providing our regular Plant Operator,
Grader Operator, Asphalt Laydown Technician, Mobile
Crane Common Core and our 12-week Heavy Equipment
Operator courses.
Zajac ranch
The Zajac Ranch for Children provides camps for children
with chronic life-threatening and/or debilitating conditions.
The ranch opened its doors to children in 2004. It has
welcomed over 1,000 children and numerous volunteer
doctors and nurses. The camp also provides support for the
children’s families.
The IUOETA has volunteered time and equipment at the
ranch since its inception, helping with various projects. This
current project is being led by our instructor Brother Robyn
Bishop. He has taken 2 students per day for about a week from
our Heavy Equipment Operator Course.
During their presentations,
they spoke of how proud they
are to have agreements with
the Operating Engineers
Training Association Report
This helps out the ranch, and gives our
students valuable experience in a work
environment. We will continue to
support this very worthwhile cause.
Tool allowance
The Operating Engineers Tool Allowance
provides reimbursements for tool expenditures for
Heavy Duty Mechanics, Servicemen, Millwrights and
Welders. To qualify, you must be a member in good standing,
dispatched in the trade in which you are applying for and have
worked a minimum of 250 hours between September 1, 2013
and August 31, 2014 for an employer who contributed to this
fund.
Applications were sent out to qualifying members in the
first week of October and the deadline for submissions is
Brother Rico Salema being presented with his Heavy Equipment
Operator Certificate of Qualification with Loader endorsement
by Brothers Tom Kinnear and Darren Suehsschlaf (Training
Coordinators). Rico was working for Geopac in their Delta yard in
the picture.
Brother Chris Godfrey being presented with his Certificate of
Qualification and Certificate of Apprenticeship for Welding level
“C” from Brother Tom Kinnear (Business Representative). Brother
Godfrey works for Upland Excavating in the Campbell River shop.
News December 2014 19