TRAINING UPDATE
New Programs and Continuing Demands
Ambercroft instructors are busy enough at this time delivering training programs. But, they are finding time to work on new programs and improvements to existing programs. Among the new (or renewed) offerings:
| Precast Finishing: Ambercroft has not trained any Precast Finisher apprentices for almost ten years. As a result of meetings of employers, union, and training centre staff, a Memorandum of Agreement is being finalized for an apprenticeship to parallel the Precast Erector apprenticeship. A training program begins June 13 in response to demand from the field for new patchers. |
| Foreperson/Supervisor training: Many of the foremen and supervisors who are members of Local 506 have received extensive training through their employers and their own efforts. Training for Supervisors is available through the Construction Safety Association of Ontario, either a three-day course and a home study course. Ambercroft sometimes coordinates participation in these programs and will continue to do so. We will also, however, be offering our own supervisor training this fall. |
| Upgrading for CCW certification: Applicants for the Certificate of Qualification as Construction Craft Workers through grandparenting must sign off on an Attestation of Competencies. Some of our otherwise very qualified Labourers have limited experience in one or two of the twelve skill areas. We are designing courses in specific skills for these individuals to enable them to legitimately apply for certification. |
| Journeyperson Upgrading: This is for certified journeypersons. It includes train-the-trainers training on new equipment, some of which is only in the plans at this point. Having training and evaluation plans in place is required as part of the equipment acquisition process. |
| Block CCW Advanced: We have provided some Advanced in-school training to Construction Craft Worker apprentices in short one- or two-week modules. With more apprentices needing to complete certification and most of them able to claim EI benefits while attending training, because they will have worked enough hours in a year to qualify we need to bring back full class-size groups for the 8-week block. For the first time next January. |
The above is in addition to work on a new apprenticeship program for Concrete Cutting & Coring, and ongoing negotiations with a number of sectors which may or may not result in new programs.
If were lucky well find time over the summer for some of the necessary maintenance projects at the Training Centre.
Comments? Email jmclaren@506tc.org