Spring is right around the corner and for Labor Management. It is a chance to continue the many great opportunities and projects we have been working on straight through the winter. In our organization, in the state, and with our contractors, there are more exciting things happening that we are proud to be a part of.
In January, we headed to the U.P. for our annual Signatory Contractor Roundtable, but this year was a little different: for the first time, we were able to hold the event in our own facility, the Northern Michigan Construction Career Center in Gladstone. We met with representatives from Bacco Construction, CR Meyer & Sons Company, MARESA, MJ VanDamme, Musson Brothers, Payne & Dolan, Inc., State of Michigan, U.P. Construction Council and Zenith Tech, Inc.
We were also joined by several guest speakers. Both Aquila and Eagle Mines sent representatives who spoke about the mine work that is taking place in the Upper Peninsula. State Senator Tom Casperson and House Representative Sara Cambensy each spoke to the group about their experiences in the U.P. and Lansing, and the importance of the work we do as Operating Engineers in moving the state forward. The UP Construction Council’s own Tony Retaskie said a few words about the many projects that are underway, and the philanthropic work carried out by the skilled trades that often goes unheralded. It was another successful roundtable, made even better by holding it at our own facility where Operators are training.
That week also allowed us to partner with Gladstone and Rapid River schools to hold an Open House for interested students. Students from those districts were able to come explore careers as an Operating Engineer, and talk to instructors, try out a state-of-the-art CAT excavator simulator and even operate the autonomous spyder crane. We thank Gladstone Superintendent Jay Kulbertis for facilitating this event, and the ongoing partnership with the Gladstone and Rapid River Schools.
In February, the roundtables moved to the Bay Area, where the turnout was fantastic. We were joined by representatives from Barton Malow, Bay County, CAM, Champagne & Marx Excavating Inc., Consumers Energy, Dobson Industrial, Fisher Contracting Co., Great Lakes Fabricators and Erectors, Great Lakes Fusion, Hardman Construction, Helsel’s Tree Service, Hydro X, J. Ranck Electric, Inc., M & M Excavating, M & W Crane Service, MDOT, Michigan CAT, MacCallister Rental, Miller Pipeline Corporation, MITA, Pyramid Paving and Contracting Co. and Roese Pipeline. Guest speakers from Consumers Energy and the Michigan House of Representatives talked about safety, and the importance of our skilled trades and prevailing wage, respectively. Like the U.P., there is much excitement about projects to come, including some significant infrastructure repair projects.
In the months ahead, we will have two more Roundtables, in Detroit and Grand Rapids, and we anticipate them being successful as well.
This year’s Michigan Agg (MAA) Conference was a success. One of the greatest opportunities highlighted was the future partnership with companies like Stoneco on future workforce and training projects. We also attended the 2018 MITA Winter Conference. It is always a great opportunity to visit with and talk with contractors and friends about upcoming opportunities.
Our partnership with the State of Michigan’s Going PRO campaign continues to reap benefits. Going PRO is a campaign to raise awareness of, and develop interest in, many different skilled trades programs around the state. Under the direction of the Michigan Talent and Economic Development Department, Going PRO is working toward talent attraction, retention and training for the workforce of the future.
OE324 partners with Going PRO in a variety of ways. OE324 members and apprentices are part of the PR campaign to increase awareness about skilled trades – in fact, many of those driving M-2 on their way to the Gladstone Open House drove by a billboard featuring an OE324 apprentice! Going PRO and OE324 have met with media, teachers and legislators to work towards a better understanding of skilled trades and help chart a course to engage tomorrow’s Operating Engineers today.
Going PRO also oversees grants for groups helping attract students to these professional careers. One of these grants that was bestowed on the Detroit Workforce of the Future (DWF) pre-apprenticeship program. The state granted DWF $180,000 to put toward pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship readiness programs that help create pathways from high school through registered apprenticeships. DWF is already adding new partners to their pre-apprenticeship model, like Barton Malow, CA Hall, and Dan’s Excavating, to work with contractors such as Cadillac Asphalt who are already affiliated with the program.
The Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) is a comprehensive, nationally recognized apprenticeship readiness training this program. This program was developed and approved by the Building Trades National Apprenticeship and Training Committee and recognized by the US Department of Labor. The MC3 is offered in cooperation with state and local Building Trades Councils, which are essential participants in any MC3 program. There are currently 130 MC3 programs throughout the U.S., serving students in middle schools, high schools, community colleges, community-based organizations and other non-profit organizations.
We are also working with the National Building Trades and the US Department of Labor to introduce the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum in the state of Michigan. The Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) orients students to the construction industry and its 14 trades. After graduating from the MC3, students apply to one of the trade apprenticeship programs of their choosing. Once accepted into an apprenticeship program, the sky’s the limit. Find out more at: https://nabtu.org/apprenticeship-and-training/
In the next few months, the trees will begin to sprout leaves again, baseball season will be upon us and before we know it, Construction Career Days – and our Family Day – will be here. This year, Construction Career Days are scheduled for May 3th & 4th at the Sam T. Hart Construction Career Center in Howell. The Family Career Day picnic is Saturday, May 5th – join us for the fun-filled family day!
Good luck and stay warm – Summer is right around the corner!
Lee Graham
Trustee
Executive Director LMEC