VOTE

Spotlight
on Training
SOUTH BEND AREA
ROOFERS & WATERPROOFERS
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
For this quarter’s Spotlight on Training, we are
checking out the South Bend Area Roofers &
Waterproofers Apprenticeship Program. The program,
which trains roofers and waterproofers out of Roofers
Local 23 in South Bend, IN, is headed by Training Director
Derek Carrington.
The program’s apprenticeship standards were first
adopted and approved in 1970, thanks mostly to Cliff
Rigley. Cliff taught the apprenticeship classes along
with several assistants until 2001. In those days, classes
were held at IVY Tech Community College and consisted
of mostly classroom work and technical information.
Even in its infancy the program would train South
Bend’s most-skilled roofers, including International
Vice President Don O’Blenis, who was in the first class
that completed (and he turned out all right).
In 2000 the JATC was able to purchase its very
own training center. The center is now known as the
“Safety. Quality. Efficiency.
This is how we approach training.”
Rigley-Frazier Learning Center. In 2001 Bud Holston
took over as training director for the apprenticeship
program. He held the position until his death in
2007, at which time Drew Holston took over as training
director. Drew worked there until his retirement
in 2014, and Derek Carrington was then selected to
direct the program.
The purchase of the new training center in 2000
provided the space needed for building mock-ups
inside and outside of the
center. This gave the program
the ability to deliver
hands-on training within
all aspects of the roofing
and waterproofing trade,
including steep slope and
low-sloped applications.
The hands-on training
is also supplemented by
classroom training, utilizing
curriculum developed
by the Roofers and Waterproofers
Research and Education
Joint Trust Fund,
the Center for Construction
Research and Training
(CPWR), National Institute
Outdoor mock-ups
are used for single-ply
and BUR applications.
The Rigley-Frazier Learning
Center houses the Local 23 South
Bend Apprenticeship Program.
for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), Occupational
Safety and Health
Third Quarter 2016 • 17