Construction trades group weathers sluggish economy by investing in its members

Although better days are seen on the horizon, the leadership and affiliates of the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council (BTC) have endured some tough years as of late, with the slowdown in all types of construction and the yet-to-be-concluded economic recession. However, for the construction trades unions that are members of the BTC, this has also been an opportune time to beef up the skill sets and credentials of their membership workforces.

"As a council and individual organizations, we remain committed to keeping construction tradespeople employed and competitive by offering the best training programs in the building industry," stated Martin "Buzz" Murphy, BTC president and Business Manager / Financial Secretary of Ironworkers Local 75.

Aspiring craftspeople can choose among apprenticeships focused on sheet metal, plumbing and pipefitting, iron work, electrical engineering, bricklaying and tile setting, cement finishing and masonry, drywall, painting, roofing, elevator constructing boiler making, asbestos work and general labor support.

In addition to starting a career, current members - journeymen - of the BTC affiliate unions have dealt with decreased work opportunities in a positive manner, as described by BTC Secretary/Treasurer and Sheet Metal Workers Local 359 Business Manager Dion Abril. "We have value-added certifications and continuing education that help keep our labor force on the cutting edge of technologies, as well as ensuring the upkeep of current necessary skill sets. Our members do superior work and the safest work, and ongoing training is why."

Apprenticeship and journeyman continuing education - examples

Ironworkers Local 75 provides a four-year program that trains applicants how to perform the reinforcing and structural iron work to build bridges, buildings and power-generating stations, to name a few, while paying them 60 percent of a journeyman salary. Apprentices receive 160 hours of instruction each year, so upon graduation they are revered as high quality, safe ironwork craftsmen, in demand by the signatory contractors with whom they partner.  

The Arizona Pipe Trades 469 offers a state-approved training program for applicants seeking work in HVAC, welding, plumbing and pipefitting. Apprentices receive a total of 10,000 hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training with skilled journeymen. Compared to state university students, applicants can save approximately $26,000 after completing their five-year curriculum and make an estimated $96,000 in salary and benefits once they transition into a union journeyman. Similar savings ring true for some of the other trades' training programs, as well.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 640 and the Arizona Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association (AZ NECA) provide hopeful electricians the opportunity to earn wages and benefits while training on the latest wireman technology. Each apprentice inside wireman receives 900 state-recognized classroom hours, as well as 8,000 on-the-job hours, making them attractive to partner contractors at the end of training. Furthermore, apprentices also train for national certification so they can work nationwide.

Growing a career - not "taking a job"

"Being an ironworker, there's never a dead end. When you graduate from the apprenticeship program, you can go really far. There's more to look forward to - a lot of opportunities. There's just no limit to what you can do" stated Clayton Bennett, a recently graduated apprentice.

No matter the trade interests of a prospective applicant, the BTC's member organizations offer job training to promote job security, as well as continuing education to keep journeymen at the "best-of-the-best" level.

"After completing our apprenticeship program, graduates are well-equipped with the attitude, skills and knowledge needed for today's construction projects, and are a valuable commodity to our partner contractors who hire them. With over 900 hours in the classroom and 8,000 hours on the job, journeyman graduates of our apprenticeship are in high demand in a state where electricians are not required to be licensed," said Dean Wine, IBEW Local 640 business manager and vice president of the BTC.

Click here for a complete listing of apprenticeships and corresponding contact information.