TRAINING UPDATE

Too Many Good People

In the first four months of this year, we have received almost 200 applications from individuals wishing to enter our apprenticeship training program. (Or, just as often, simply looking for a job – see the Most Frequently Asked Question in the February, 2005 Training Update, FAQ: Apprenticeship.) Probably all of these applicants would work hard and would be good members of Local 506. We use application information and our assessments to select the ones most likely to succeed both in the training program and as workers in construction.

Even then, we have more talent than spaces in the program. On May 16 we will be starting our third Basic apprenticeship class this year. By the time the apprentices from that class go on the list for dispatching to work, Local 506 will have absorbed all the new members it can handle this year.

So, we are not accepting further applications until September. Individuals who apply then are unlikely to be invited for training before January or March, 2006. Anybody interested in becoming a Construction Craft Worker apprentice should look for work elsewhere in the interim and apply or re-apply for apprenticeship in the fall.

Carmen Principato

At a banquet on April 7, Carmen Principato was honoured for his 40 years working for the members of Local 506. Business Manager since 1986, Carmen is the longest-serving Business Manager of all LIUNA locals in Ontario. As Brian Foote of the Toronto Construction Association said in his speech at the event, Carmen is almost always available, to employers and to workers alike. He could be the subject of a case study given his skill at staying in tune with the needs and interests of the members. Carmen almost always knows what’s going on.

Carmen has also contributed to training, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Training Fund and as a member of the provincial Industry Committee for the Construction Craft Worker trade. In recognition of this contribution, the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities awarded Carmen Principato an honourary Certificate of Qualification as a Construction Craft Worker. The members of Local 506 who are receiving their C/Q’s this year owe the recognition given to their trade to the efforts of Carmen and others like him.