Apprenticeship Today

News from the Apprenticeship Office

We have seen a decline in apprenticeship over the last several months in all of our crafts. As the school year begins we have a total of 137 Apprentices attending school, 3 Marble Masons, 11 Marble Finishers, 57 Pointer, Cleaner, Caulkers and 66 Bricklayers . These numbers are noticeably lower than prior years. The majority of students are returning from last year, plus a few new apprentices. After a relatively slow summer we indentured 11 apprentices in September, 3 Bricklayers, 1 Marble Finisher and 7 Pointer Cleaner Caulkers. Our biggest need is for more Bricklayer Apprentices, to meet the proper ratio of Apprentice to Journeyman, which will allow us to certify enough bricklayers to replace our aging workforce and meet the needs of the industry.

We will continue to focus on high schools, career days, and the prison system as sources of applicants. However our best recruiting resource continues to be our current work force, as they are aware of the challenges they face and the rewards of being Union Craftworkers. If you know someone who you feel may be inclined toward our crafts, please ask them to contact the Apprenticeship Office. Our phone number is 510-553-0991, or they can contact Michael Height by email. We take applications each weekday between 8:30 am and 11:30 am at the Apprenticeship Office in Oakland.

Eighteen school classes are scheduled on Saturdays during the year. Apprentices are occasionally asked to work on a school day. This is against the policies of the JATEC and is typically not allowed. Apprentices should not assume that any Contractor or BAC 3 Business Agent will have any bearing on this policy. If a school class is scheduled, Apprentices must attend. In cases of emergency, apprentices should contact the Apprenticeship Office.

Our Joint Apprenticeship Training and Education Committee meets monthly to address the concerns facing our program. The majority of meetings are held in Oakland. In an effort to make themselves more available to those with interest in the committee the trustees meet occasionally in San Francisco and the Central Valley. The committee is made up of trustees from management and labor. Consultants from the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, Hayward Unified School District and Central Unified School District serve in an advisory capacity, but are not allowed to vote on matters facing the committee. Trustees from management are; President, Bob Filippi, along with Ron Bennett, Wayne Mika, and Horst Mittlestadt, from labor, Secretary Treasurer; Jim Bresnahan, and Dave Jackson, Randy Smith and Bob Keeles. Michael Height is the Apprenticeship Coordinator and the Secretary is Lauren. The Apprenticeship Office welcomes your comments suggestions and complaints.

Last year we certified 13 Bricklayers, 4 Marble Masons, 2 Marble Finishers, and 4 Pointer, Cleaner, Caulkers. We wish them each the best of luck in their chosen craft. Certified Journeymen will each receive a letter from the Apprenticeship Office stating that they will receive a union jacket, compliments of BAC Local Union No. 3. The union jackets are usually presented at the General Membership Meetings. The scheduled meeting dates can be found on the Union web site: www.bac3-ca.org. Apprentices should have their “jacket letter” with them when they receive their jacket.

Recently Certified Journeymen

Bricklayers
Kevin Deamer
Pete Perez
Damond Shortt
Tyler Simpson
Danny Ensslin
Jeff Gallagher

Marble Masons
Raul Guerrero
David Zachmeyer

Congratulations to each of you for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.

Apprentice Bricklayers, Instructors for a Day

At the beginning of the school year we had forty seven registered apprentice bricklayers attending school in Pleasanton. This is down somewhat from the last several years. About twenty of these apprentices are relatively new and working on their initial hands on projects.

In an effort to deepen our curriculum, we decided to offer the senior apprentices an opportunity to teach. The initial five candidates for student instructors received an orientation on 10 September, which basically covered certain guidelines and suggestions for their one day teaching assignment. They learned the basics of our adopted method of instruction, which we refer to as BROCASE. Also discussed were certain traits and attitudes necessary for an effective instructor. They were invited to assist in teaching the apprentices to spread mud and lay to the line, which is the first stage of our progressive masonry program. The candidates received lesson plans and learned, that in addition to teaching the apprentices to spread mud and lay to the line they would also cover additional topics, such as safety, related terminology, brick positions, reading a rule, and recognition of various sizes and grades of rebar.

At the conclusion of the orientation, all five candidates accepted the assignment to teach a class. We sincerely appreciate their interest and dedication to the program. The five student teachers are William Phillips, Jarrod Tyler, Russell Tellechea, Raul Ramos, and Joe Porto Jr. The program has worked well up to this point for all concerned. Additionally it has allowed the regular instructors more time to spend with the advanced students.

At the end of the five classes we will consider the points of view of the volunteer instructors and decide what improvements can be made to make the program more effective.

Back Page

Communication

Effective communication is an essential component vital for success on construction projects. The foreman must communicate to his work force adequate information that will assure a successful project. Good communication skills reduce costly mistakes.

In addition to obstacles such as noisy equipment, language barriers and varying weather conditions, the foreman often gives instruction to employees who are less experienced. A sketch is often helpful. Remember a picture is worth a thousand words.

A good listener is vital to successful communication. The listener should pay close attention to what is being said, waiting for the person to finish before responding. An exception being, if you don’t understand something you should interrupt and ask for clarification. Take notes when necessary, and always summarize the conversation by repeating back what you understand you are being asked to do.

The foreman should be a straight shooter and communicate in such a way that maintains the self confidence and self esteem of those under his supervision. In addition to constructive criticism he should remember to offer praise for a job well done. He should also be a good listener and be receptive to the ideas of his employees, thereby fostering a constructive thinking workforce.

Zack Lambert