Recruitment, training top caucus concerns

Boilermakers, contractors and owners met in separate caucus sessions yesterday to identify chief concerns to bring before the conference body for discussion. All three groups homed in on manpower needs—and subsequent Boilermaker recruitment needs—as well as training and jurisdiction.

“We heard from a speaker a few years ago at this same conference in Marco Island that we would be 350-400% short union and nonunion craftsman at this time, and we need to step up recruitment,” said contractor caucus chairman Michael Bray, Senior Executive Consultant, Bray Consulting Associates, LLC.

Bray said contractors discussed the need for contractors and owners to get involved with recruitment efforts by attending SkillsUSA and other events where Boilermakers are promoting the trade.

Bray added that it’s not enough just to recruit more Boilermakers—efforts also must be made to retain them and continue developing training.

"We are 100% committed to recruiting and training,” said Boilermakers caucus chairman Anthony Howell, Executive Director-CSO. “We see the outcome and what's coming in the next year, and we're going to need manpower."

If any specific training is required, the Boilermakers are open to adding the training.

“Just let us know what you need, and we are willing to work with those things to get done what you need to make a successful job,” he said.

John Burnett, who represented the owners caucus and is El Segundo and Salt Lake City Turnaround Manager, Chevron, said owners are impressed with the Boilermakers training programs—and the less-than 1% weld rejections they’re seeing—and the reliability of Boilermakers.

"A common theme across the owners in the owners' caucus was that when Boilermaker show up, they show up to work,” he said.

All groups are concerned about jurisdiction, and all focused in on understanding new technology projects. Pre-job meetings and participation in building trades were discussed as solid proactive solutions.

“We need to focus on jurisdiction to have contractors and owners award work appropriately that belongs to Boilermakers, and we need to get ahead of new technology to determine what’s Boilermaker work,” Bray said. “We also need business managers to attend pre-job meetings and building trades meetings—if you’re not invited, invite yourself.”

Howell noted that if there are areas in question with jurisdiction, the Boilermakers need to be included in discussions, along with other crafts, to help determine the proper outcome. He agreed that pre-job meetings are important to resolve any issues before the work begins.

Other issues discussed included:

• Addressing absenteeism
• Project permits being stalled
• A dispatching issue with the Boilermakers Delivery System hotline

"We're really making progress; making strides as a tripartite alliance to better our industry and better our craft," Bray said.