SOLDERING TRAINING FOR LOCAL 80 WORKFORCE

The ITI has developed soldering certification for Detroit sheet metal workers in response to contractor requests

By Jessica Kirby | Photos by the ITI

The International Training Institute (ITI) recently facilitated a soldering certification class for members of Local 80 in Detroit. The class, heavily requested by local contractors and facilitated by the JATC, certified 23 members. Eleven were local apprentices.

The ITI partnered with the Copper Development Association (CDA) to develop the unique copper soldering certification training course, which can be delivered to other members in the United States and Canada.

Contractors requested the class because the skill set is required for many projects in the area, such as the restoration of the Michigan Central Station, the historic former national hub and passenger rail station in downtown Detroit. Built in 1914, the building was purchased by Ford Motor Company in 2018.

Custom Architectural Sheetmetal Specialists (CASS) is one of seven Michigan contractors that attended the training. CASS is currently working on the Michigan Central Station project. Glenn Parvin, owner of the company and a JATC trustee, predicts 35,000 pounds of copper will be used to restore the building’s roof.

“The art or skill set of soldering—and soldering well—has been learned with years of in-field training and practice,” Parvin says. “CASS began targeting copper work early on, and we have been blessed to have old world craftspeople in the early years, many of whom were known as some of the best in the industry.”

“It was important to both organizations that the work would be performed by Local 80 members working for a local contractor who could proudly say they were part of this significant restoration in their hometown!”

—Chris Caricato, architectural specialist, ITI

Parvin served six terms on SMACNA National’s architectural steering committee—a group of eight architectural contractors from across the United States who come together to discuss market trends, problems, needs, and educational events for annual conventions.

“One of our first major copper restoration projects, Henry Ford Estates back in 1999, was our first exposure to solder testing and coupon review by outside roof consultants,” Parvin says. “This testing and review morphed and evolved over time and on various projects.”

At the time, demand from specifiers for a reliable soldering standard, consistent training, and proficiency measurement prompted the committee to go to the ITI for guidance. “Dan McCallum and Mike Harris took the ball and kept it rolling,” Parvin says. “Finally bringing the education and testing to the school in Detroit was a feel-good moment.”

The class was instructed by Larry Peters, CDA project manager of building construction, and ITI personnel, including Chris Caricato, field staff and architectural specialist; Mark Van Avery, field staff and welding specialist; and Mike Shields, full-time apprenticeship instructor at Local 12 in Pittsburgh.

“Local 80 wanted to make sure their members obtained the unique skills needed for CASS to be successful on the Michigan Central Station project,” Caricato says. “It was important to both organizations that the work would be performed by Local 80 members working for a local contractor who could proudly say they were part of this significant restoration in their hometown!”

The program includes 24 hours of classroom theory and practical training on techniques and equipment advancements. Students use mock-up structures to learn proper fabrication, layout, and installation techniques, including how to solder a flat lock copper roof system.

The mockups give participants a real-world experience and allow them to accurately hone their skills. Training like this gives the participants a new skillset and allows contractors the opportunity to bid on this type of work where previously they could not, said Matt O’Rourke, training director for Local 80.

“Any time we can add a new little niche of training into our curriculum or into our area of expertise, it makes our members more marketable, improves their skills and gives them confidence,” he added. “We have the ability to come up with other processes if job specifications require it.”

The class also offered a foundation of training that can be continuously built upon, depending on the project requirements. It prequalifies students to take a series of project-specific soldering certifications under the American Welding Society (AWS) B2.3:2018 Specification for Soldering Procedure and Performance Qualification code, which is recognized worldwide.

“This training provides our members with a very rare and highly sought out skillset that has depleted with the Baby Boomer era,” Caricato says. “It provides members with the knowledge to do the work, provides our JATC’s the curriculum, resources and equipment to teach how to do the work, and provides our SMACNA signatory contractors with the personnel to get the work.”

“The training program can also be implemented into the apprenticeship curriculum and journeyperson upgrade training, and delivered based on contractor needs,” he adds.

While plenty of signatory contractors are currently doing this kind of work correctly on new construction and renovation projects, projects that fail because of incorrect procedures threaten market share for everyone.

“These types of roof systems are meant to last well over 75 years without failure,” Caricato says. “Subpar work by uneducated, non-union personnel threatens continued use of this kind of building envelope for use on future projects.”

Parvin agrees. “Copper work is always prevalent in older cities like Detroit,” he says. “While I prefer to be the only contractor in town, as a JATC member, you want the trades to know and install or solder well because that helps differentiate the union trades. Specifiers can call out certified solder craftspeople on this specialty work.”

Caricato and Parvin agree that labor-management cooperation is key to training development and recruitment. “That starts with trust and understanding the common ground and what’s important to both sides,” Parvin says.

In fact, Local 80 members and SMACNA Detroit contractors proudly brandish truck signage that says, “Together we do it better” boasting labor-management cooperation.

“That’s a whole lot of exposure out on local roads promoting union labor and SMACNA contractors,” Parvin says. “I am active on the SMACNA board, the JATC, and the labor management committee for negotiations. We continue to explore other non-traditional markets that build person hours.”▪

Jessica Kirby is editor-publisher for Point One Media, a small but sturdy family-owned trade magazine creator.

The ITI in Action

The soldering program is just one of several programs the ITI has created specifically for fulfilling existing or anticipated market share.

Strike Force Training

This program was designed to assist contractors who have been awarded work with training opportunities and resources specifically required for a project. The training is focused on project specific materials, equipment, tools, software, installations, and fabrication techniques, as well as required certifications or qualifications.

Strike Force Training is developed by ITI specialists who work with manufacturers, vendors, contractors, and JATC personnel to create a tailored train-the-trainer program that can be delivered to JATC instructors. Afterwards, local JATCs will have all of the resources needed to provide the training whenever requested by contractors or chapters.

Training Grants

The ITI provides grants to JATCs to help offset the cost of the training. Some grants offer as much as 50% reimbursement, up to $20,000. ITI also has other grant programs available to JATCs to enhance training opportunities and develop more skillsets among members.

ITI Developed Trade Curriculum

• Architectural Sheet Metal • Roofing • Indoor Air Quality • Fire & Smoke Damper • Smoke Control Systems • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) • Lagging • Welding, Soldering, Plasma Arc Cutting • Hoisting, Rigging, and Signaling • Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) • HVAC Service & Refrigeration • Building Information Modeling (BIM) • Detailing & Drafting • Signage

Current Grant Programs

• Autodesk MTP – reimbursement 50% up to $750

• Plasma – 75% up to $22,500 • 3D Scanner – 75% up to $16,500

• 3D Printer – 75% up to $1,000 • Trimble XR10 HoloLens – 100%

• Laser Welder – 90% up to $27,000

• Mini-Crane Rental for training (reimbursement up to $1500)

Spreading the Word

The ITI, SMART, and SMACNA jointly advertise grant programs through industry platforms, including publications, meetings, and conferences. Contractors and chapters that need a workforce with specialized training for a particular project should reach out to the local JATC training coordinator. That person has access to the JATC training committee, union representatives, ITI regional representatives, and industry specialists.

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