The Terrence J O’Sullivan Training Center Proudly Graduates 292 Journeypersons
SAN RAMON, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Laborers’ Apprenticeship Program of the Laborers’ Training and Retraining Trust Fund of Northern California continues to help build California’s construction workforce. In 2016, 292 apprentices completed the Construction Craft Laborer (265), Parking & Highway Improvement (16), Plaster Tender (6), or Brick Tender (5) program. Over the last 12 years, the Laborers Training Center has journeyed out more than 1,800 members.
Oscar de la Torre, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Vice-President and Northern California District Council of Laborers (NCDCL) Business Manager commended the graduates, “These graduates are an asset for the California construction industry. With on-the-job training and many hours of classroom instruction, the graduates are ready to join the industry and are prepared to do so thanks to all of the resources committed by our training center and our partner contractors.”
To attain journeyperson status, each apprentice must complete 240 hours of classroom instruction and log at least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Incoming candidates must attend orientation, pass a drug test, participate in a hands-on skills assessment, and an interview to ensure they are able to meet the physical demands of the industry.
“These graduates have displayed their dedication and outstanding ability to complete this meticulous and difficult program,” said Jeff Armstrong, Director of Apprenticeship. “Our apprentices gain valuable experience in every segment of the industry and many are ready to take on leadership roles soon after graduation.”
“These graduates will be plenty busy as California’s infrastructure needs help,” said Rocco Davis, LIUNA Vice President and Pacific Southwest Regional Manager. “They have sacrificed and dedicated so much of their time to achieve journeyperson status. Now it’s up to the political leaders in California to commit the funds necessary to rebuild the state’s infrastructure in order to prevent catastrophic failures like the Oroville Dam from happening again while also giving these graduates the opportunity to build a career.”
The Laborers’ Training and Retraining Trust Fund for Northern California is a partnership between the Laborers’ Union and its signatory contractors. Annually, the Training Center provides more than 125,000 hours of training and offers:
-Mobile training that brings training to any work site or location
-More than 75 courses that meet or exceed industry standards
-Four California-Apprenticeship-Council-approved apprenticeship programs
-Construction Craft Laborer
-Brick Tender
-Plaster Tender
-Parking & Highway Improvement
-Instructors credentialed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
