July 30, 2008

Reader Feedback

Plan to split ironworker trade into three certificates meets with opposition

Here at Journal of Commerce, we asked readers, “Will splitting ironworker trades training into three specialized certificates benefit young apprentices?” Here’s what you had to say...

Excerpts from reader’s comments:

1. Branching of the trades leaves the choice up to the apprentice. Apprentices have always questioned why they had to train in an aspect of the trade they will never use, such as Structural or Reinforcing. The other problem is, if you enforce the Generalist training, the apprentice may only have field hours relating to one or the other and that creates a safety issue.

The branching of the IW trade puts the West in line with the other provinces, which makes mobility across Canada and recognition of training much more productive. Branching of the trades is the right thing to do.

Darrell LaBoucan, union rep, Ironworkers International, Alberta

2. It (splitting the ironworker trade) will limit the abilities and opportunities for another group of Canadian trades people. This kind of thing did major damage to the carpentry trade, so why not try to make a hash of another trade?

James Leland, Nelson, BC

3. Splitting the ironworker trade into specialized certificates is at best a band-aid solution to a major problem facing the provincial governments in British Columbia and Alberta. Year after year, the provincial governments have played with the apprenticeship programs to suit political agendas or lobbyists. Leave the darn thing alone!

Yes, as an employer of ironworkers, I am concerned with the shortage of qualified tradesmen.

Yes, as a businessman, the quicker I can get qualified tradesmen the better. But, as a qualified tradesman, I think back to what it meant to be an ironworker and the abilities it gave me and the opportunities to travel freely from city to city, province to province, Canada to the U.S. We can’t all have a university degree.

Russ Fanucchi, president, Namdor Reinforcing Steel, Victoria, BC

4. If you branch the trade, how will you become a well-rounded ironworker? I did four years of reinforcing, eight months of curtain wall, two years of post tensioning and 10 years of structural. I can still tie rod and I hold a welding ticket as well.

In my opinion, if the training is divided, then the apprentice will not have a general understanding of what a building is from start to finish.

Troy Idler, Ironworkers Local 97, Burnaby, BC

Final Tally: No 68% and Yes 32%

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