Coordinators Share Ideas to Advance Apprenticeship & Training at IMTEF Conference

Over 40 apprenticeship and training coordinators from across the US and Canada gathered this September at the BAC/ IMI International Training Center for IMTEF’s Coordinators Conference. The event provides coordinators the opportunity to learn best practices that strengthen the union’s training programs.

“Interacting with other coordinators is so valuable,” said Josh Height, Local 3 CA Coordinator. “The air of professionalism from my colleagues is apparent in everything we do, from curriculum development to training deployment.” 

During the conference, attendees participated in roundtable discussions on effective recruitment and retention strategies that can bring in more members and help them lead fulfilling, lifelong careers with BAC.

“We need to be innovative to make the opportunities BAC provides to build a middle-class lifestyle available to everyone,” said IMTEF National Apprenticeship and Training Director Anthony DiPerna. “We also need to continue to invest in programs like Mentorship Matters to carry our craft traditions into the future and make our job sites, training centers, and union halls welcoming places for BAC members.”

One part of that inclusivity is making training more accessible, whether by delivering instruction in multiple languages or offering more online and hybrid programming.

“We’re facing a Great Resignation in construction with the number of retirements projected to occur over the next 6 years,” said Howard Hipes, Local 2 MI Director of Apprenticeship and Training. “By providing online learning opportunities can help us address the knowledge and skill gap we’re up against, while supporting members as they look to advance their careers and step into leadership and management positions.” Hipes cited IMTEF’s online Foreperson training and partnership with Saylor Academy, which allows BAC members to take free classes for college credit, as examples.

Another solution in recruiting qualified BAC craftworkers is strengthening local partnerships with organizations like Helmets to Hardhats (H2H), which helps transitioning veterans find employment in the building trades, and IMI’s Job Corps programs, which provides masonry and tile pre-job training to young people. Attendees learned about working with these organizations to fill the need for more skilled craftworkers.

Apprenticeship and training coordinators play a critical role in ensuring members have a positive experience in the program. As a part of that effort, coordinators reviewed member feedback provided in IMTEF’s apprenticeship survey and shared successes they’ve had in creating positive environments for apprentices, from providing more flexibility, to team building experiences, to supportive services, and more.

“It’s great having our coordinators come together to share ideas that will continue to make BAC’s training programs the best in the business,” concluded DiPerna.