National Apprenticeship Competition - 2010

The 17^th Annual Canadian Boilermaker Graduate Apprenticeship Competition was held in Edmonton from June 19^th to 24^th, 2010.  Six graduate apprentices from across the country competed by completing theory tests covering the trade curriculum, the Collective Agreement and the Boilermaker International Constitution as well as two days of challenging practical exams.  Local 146 was represented by Eric Hache who won the title of this year’s top Boilermaker Apprentice Graduate.  Congratulations Eric!

Boilermakers-Indentured:

Active WorkSmart Grads:124

B1: 110

B2: 97

B3: 48

Second Tickets: 119

This is an invitation to any interested members and their family (sons and daughters) to attend a two hour workshop on the dangers that are being offered to our children and our apprentices. The experts say the best way to fight addiction is through prevention and we are taking an active role to educate our new apprentices. The awareness presentation takes place while our pre-apprentices are in WorkSmart . Our objective is to provide information on the realities of drug addiction so individuals can make informed decisions. We have been working with Cory Grunsky to help us with our training. Cory brings a first hand look into the world of addictions and the realties that affect the lives of those involved.

Anyone interested in attending, please call the Learning Center for upcoming dates. The presentation leaves a lasting impression.

In the field construction culture there is no phrase more stupid and short-sighted than "you’re not paid to think." And yet nearly all construction field hands in the U.S. and Canada tell me that they have heard it dozens of times on the jobsite, especially when they were apprentices. Tell me what other business sector commonly communicates the value of dumbing down the workforce? What is a construction leader or manager actually saying when he or she uses this idiotic phrase with a key employee or new apprentice?

• Your Ideas have no value

• You are nothing but brute labour

• We are not interested in innovation or change

• I am in charge and don’t forget it.

• We don’t care about you

• I don’t know how to motivate, manage or lead you.

In truth of today’s industry is that thinking is what people are paid to do. We need to turn out "knowledge workers," not just "skilled tradesman." Again, if you can’t reach employees’ heads and hearts before their hands, a productivity loss is going to occur.

"You’re not paid to think" is an authoritarian statement that represents poor training on the part of senior management. The fact that nearly every field craft person still hears it is an indicator of outdated values in the construction workplace. It is bad enough that the young employees coming into our industry have to experience it; but the real question is why would an industry allow a mindset to exist on the jobsite that costs, say, a billion dollars a year in lost productivity, profits, and market share? Let’s kill "You’re not paid to think" once and for all.

Fraternally,

j'Amey Holroyd
Boilermaker Apprenticeship Coordinator

Due to expected shortages of qualified pressure welders this spring, provisional "C" tickets are going to be utilized by some of our contractors. What this means is if you can pass a SMAW weld test on a 2-inch pipe coupon (all position) you could be hired as a C ticket welder. The work you would be performing is pressure welding, and as such you would also be paid journeyperson rate. This qualification is valid for 12 months, but my expectation is that you would still attend technical training in a timely fashion. Interested people should contact me at the hall for more details.

Top-Ten Apprentice Success Secrets

10. Read your Boilermaker mail

9. Register for school in May every year, to make sure you get in

8. Save money for school

7. Pack your next day's lunch right after you get home from work

6. Keep your fridge full of food, not beer

5. Cut the party short if you have to get up early for work

4. Get enough sleep

3. Keep your bills to a minimum

2. Keep a file with important apprenticeship papers

And the number 1 apprentice success secret is:

Know the facts!

Keep a file with important apprenticeship papers. Keep your bills to a minimum. Get enough sleep. Cut the party short if you have to get up early for work. Keep your fridge full of food, not beer. Pack your next day’s lunch right after you get home from work. Save money for school. Register for school in May every year, to make sure you get in.

Fraternally,

Allan Belter
Welding Apprenticeship Coordinator