MANAGEMENT
By Tracy Bennett
Beyond Skills Training Mentoring craft professionals and developing future jobsite leaders
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n honor of its anniversary, SEAA reflected on the issues that faced steel erectors over the last 50 years, asking for insight from several of its past presidents. Improving the work environment by focusing on safety and training has always been at the core of the organization, which is evident in the money, expertise, and time the association has committed to ironworker craft training over the years. Tom Underhill, retired, (SEAA President 1997-1998 and Executive Director 20122020) explained that in the late 1990s the association committed $125,000 to The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to update its ironworker curriculum. “During my time as Executive Director, SEAA reconnected with NCCER to start the SEAA Craft Training program,” said Underhill. The program gives member companies access to nationally recognized credentials for ironworkers, riggers, crane operators, and Tracy Bennett is Managing Editor of Connector and Principal Partner of Mighty Mo Media Partners, a marketing consulting firm. Her technical expertise is in construction, lifting equipment, and workforce development.
signal persons. Because of SEAA’s affiliation with NCCER, members also have access to all of NCCER’s craft training materials, assessments, and certifications. “The SEAA/NCCER training program gives member companies access to quality training and workforce development tools that are beneficial for companies of all sizes,” said Tim Eldridge, President of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA’s Craft Training and Assessment Administrator. “If you’re a small company, this program can connect you with the resources you need to jumpstart training while keeping the cost down. For larger companies, the program can streamline training,” he said. When asked what lessons from the past could positively affect the future of the steel construction industry, Josh Cilley, President of American Steel & Precast Erectors, Greenfield, N.H., and ASPE-South, (SEAA President 2016-2017), responded that protecting workers is key. “The emphasis should be on doing things the right way, factoring in safety. You can always afford to make safety a priority. We owe it to the industry to provide a safe work environment for everyone,” said Cilley.
20 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Craft training essentials Training doesn’t happen by chance. It must be a formal process. According to John Garrison, there are five essential elements necessary for workforce training to be successful. Garrison, (SEAA President 2001-2002), who is retired from Garrison Steel Erectors, Inc., Pell City, Ala., remains involved with the Ironworker Skills Institute, which he founded. 1. Curriculum. “SEAA’s efforts helped immensely in that regard, initially by providing funding and subject matter experts for NCCER to create an ironworker curriculum, and later in the development of a custom program that specifically met the needs of steel erection employers,” recalled Garrison. 2. An appropriate venue in which to train. 3. Students. This is why recruiting is so important, explained Garrison. Unlike the dilemma of the chicken and the egg, Garrison says there is no question about which should come first. “In my opinion, it is a waste of time and money to recruit people if you don’t have a
