Wednesday – February 23: This past Wednesday we traveled to Boardman as guests of the Columbiana County Chamber-of-Commerce and the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 396 for an open house luncheon to Local 396's Training Facility on Bye Road.
After being introduced by Local 396 Business Manager Butch Taylor, Pam Hoppel opened the luncheon and gave a little history on the Columbiana County Area Chamber-of-Commerce. It was started about 10 years ago under the State of Ohio Chamber-of-Commerce's program called “Grass Roots Ohio”. Hoppel is the CEO of the EL Chamber and “by default” coordinator of the County Chamber. The County Chamber members are from Columbiana, East Liverpool, St. Clair Twp., Wellsville, East Palestine, Leetonia, Washingtonville and Salem. Hoppel noted that in 2007 the County Chamber started meeting in support of Baard Energy's proposed Ohio River Clean Fuels plant. That plant will convert coal & biomass into liquid fuels. It will be located in Yellow Creek Twp. just outside of Wellsville. The tour of the Plumbers & Pipefitters facility came about as an idea started with the members of the County Chamber. The main goal of the County Chamber is the economic development of Columbiana County.
Western Reserve Building Trades Council (WRBTC) President Don Crane noted that the training facility was one of the shining stars in the area. He advised the facility belongs to the business owners and contractors. Crane said they not only train new pipefitters they also do refresher training if a particular job contract requires anything out of everyday, ordinary specifications. The WRBTC is made up with members from all construction trade unions in Trumbull, Mahoney & Columbiana Counties. Since 2003 they have been partnering with government agencies and businesses to develop economic growth throughout that three county region. Eight years ago Crane was named a member of the Mahoning County Area Chamber's “Grow Mahoney Valley” program. That is a grading program that conducts studies on the need of newly proposed construction projects. If a study proves a proposed project is definitely needed they then look for funding for the building project. The widening of State Route 170 in Calcutta is just one example of what can be accomplished. Crane noted that CC Engineer Bert Dawson did the study on Rt. 170 to get that project started. Crane said if affordable for them the WRBTC will even fund the study. They put their money where their mouth is.
The WRBTC is a force to be reckoned with when they lobby legislators for funding with the shear number of voters in each of the unions. It goes without saying one of their goals is getting jobs for their members so they can have an affordable living. However, over the years they have developed partnerships with owners and contractors to find solutions to getting construction projects in the region. The WRBTC turned 101 years old on January 18 and adopted a new logo to celebrate their longevity. “Working to build a better community”with union construction, Crane said proudly. He concluded they are very serious in moving the community forward with economic development through the partnerships.
Keynote speaker was McCarl's Vice-President Bill Cornell. Cornell is a former Crucilble Steel employee and has been with McCarl's for 28 years. They are a major mechanical contractor located in Beaver Falls which was started 65 years ago by Austin McCarl, shortly after WWII. McCarl's does construction jobs locally, regionally, nationally and on the international market. The company did the plumbing and heating work for the EL Motor Lodge when that was built. Cornell said McCarl's has an excellent working relationship with the building trades council and all the crafts. In 2010 pipefitters worked 523,000 man hours on McCarl projects. They mainly work in the tri-state area and lately have been working a lot with the Marcellus Shale drilllng companies in western Pennsylvania. Cornell said those companies are just getting started in eastern Ohio and the job potential for both craftsmen and contractors is tremendous. Come the time McCarl's plan to bid on the Baard Energy plant that spells out even more job potential in our region.
Cornell said just with the Marcellus projects and their other projects there is a tremendous potential for job opportunities in the construction field in our region alone. Besides the building trades there is a need for safety professionals, constructional drafting, scheduling, project engineering, project management, cost control and office management. With the American determination to become less and less dependent on foreign energy sources these fields are becoming more in demand almost daily. Training is the key and Cornell said the training provided by Local 396 is an excellent source to prepare workers in the plumbing and pipe fitting trades. As Don Crane observed not every high school graduate is destined for college.
Local 396 Training Coordinator Marty Loney spoke briefly on the training program they provide at the facilitiy. Loney started in the business in 1986 and completed his apprenticeship in 1991. He was put on the apprentice board for the union in January, 1992, when he voiced concern with the Local president about the training the apprentices got. He sat on that board for five years, then became an instructor and is now in charge of the training program. He has a direct involvement with all the apprentices in the Local 396's program. They emphasize building up the relationship with everybody to show they are professionals dressing for success. They teach the students to be responsible, respectful of client's property, to finish jobs on time and under budget.
In the Local 396 program an apprentice is paid as they learn. The tuition is free with only a small administrative fee of $45 per year. Apprentices earn 32 college credits while in the program with over 1,250 hours of training while doing the 10,000 hours apprenticeship in the course of five years. The State of Ohio accredited their apprenticeships for both the building trades and residential certifications. Local 396 is the only training facility with a state accredited residential training program in Ohio.
Loney concluded with the announcement that Local 396 will be accepting applications into the training program for classes starting in the Fall of 2011. Applicants can apply March 28 through April 1 and April 4 through April 8 at the facility located at 493 Bev Road – Building 3 in Boardman. Applications will be accepted from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM on those dates. For more information call 330-758-4596. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be a high school graduate or have proof of equivalent educational attainment. They will accept applications from high school seniors graduating this coming spring and the process is open to anyone of any age or sex.
Local 396 Business Agent Tim Callion spoke on the public relationships formed with various agencies. He has 22 years experience with the union and was formerly in sales. Callion said they have strived to develop strong relationships and partnerships with both government officials and contractors. Oft times they notify contractors of upcoming jobs in order for them to get bids in on those jobs. They also co-labor with organizations such as vocational schools and even with prison training programs. They attend job fairs and will practically go anywhere to get the word out on what the Local has to offer with both their members and the training program. Callion concluded it's all part of forming those developing relationships such as the ones enjoyed with both the Mahoning and Columbiana Chamber-of-Commerces.
CC Commissioners Mike Halleck & Penny Traina wrapped up the luncheon with a few brief comments. Halleck said he liked hearing the words regionalization and partnering. Politics aside it is encouraging to hear of the efforts to develop new construction in the area to attract new businesses. He said the commissioners are looking at widening Route 62, a $300,000 project, and are resurrecting the Route 30 four lane project that has been on the back burner for ages. A new committee was formed, with Chuck Lane as chairman, to do a study on possibly paying for expanding Route 30 with tolls. Halleck noted Route 30 in Columbiana County is the only part that isn't four lane in the state. Route 30 goes from one side of the state to the other and is a major transportation corridor.
Penny Traina reflected on a few years ago when all the Chambers joined together to form a Columbiana County chapter. Traina observed it was so refreshing to see “the North & the South crossing that Mason Dixon Line” to join together working for the common goal of developing the county along with their individual communities. She said her favorite expression is that it takes collaboration, cooperation and communication among everyone involved to accomplish great things. Butch Taylor remarked it was Traina's suggestion to get together with Pam Hoppel to start a joint effort within the tri-county area. Wednesday's luncheon was one of their first endeavors along these lines.
The luncheon was well attended with approximately 60 people attending. There were elected officials from both Columbiana & Mahoning Counties, businesses, and Chamber-of-Commerce members from all over. The collage above pictures just some of the dignitaries that attended.
For us it was an encouraging event hearing about the job potentials that are already available. It was the second time in a week that speakers talked of new jobs being available right now. All that is needed to fill some of those job spots is well trained individuals. The Local 396 officials stressed that those jobs are available to anyone whether new beginners, just getting into the job market, or displaced workers that are looking for a decent paying job. It's a definite sign that this economy is starting to pick up when job availability is touted. That's not to mention what it means to our local economy with everything from home sales to buying groceries.
Thanks to the CC Chamber-of-Commerce & Local 396 for having us.
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