The theme of this year’s conference was “Seize The Opportunity” – a call to action for attendees to get involved locally, regionally, and internationally in growing our diversity and union strength. Programming included motivational guest speakers, U.S. and Canadian diversity labor officials, and several workshops to directly touch on the unique challenges for UBC SIBs. The four-day event was full of networking opportunities and training for members ranging from apprentice to seasoned carpenters, millwrights, and industrial members. Read more
https://www.cmwcarpenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/298459504_5434901719930187_2295688538736595899_n.jpg12001500Hannah Erwin/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngHannah Erwin2022-08-18 11:49:132025-05-30 13:54:36IKORCC Sends 50 Members to 2022 Sisters in the Brotherhood Conference
“Congratulations to the newest journey level carpenters,” said UBC General President Douglas McCarron in a video address to graduates. “You’ve reached a milestone in your careers and you did it during some very difficult times. The pandemic affected your training, but you stayed strong and completed your apprenticeship.”
EST Todd Pancake congratulates the newest journey level carpenters at the IKORCC JATF apprenticeship graduation.
405 graduates completed their apprenticeship – the most graduates ever in Indiana and Kentucky. IKORCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer M. Todd Pancake told graduates there’s never been a better time to be a union carpenter.
“You may not realize it, but you’ve met a goal. And now it’s time to look ahead and set a new goal. There are more opportunities available today than I’ve ever seen in the industry,” said EST Pancake as he congratulated graduates and shared the plethora of opportunities in the job market for skilled tradespeople.
This year’s graduates overcame many challenges due to COVID-19, including taking portions of their 4th year classes online, in addition to meeting rigorous graduation requirements. These graduates are a vital addition to a workforce desperate for skilled tradesmen. Graduates were trained as carpenters, millwrights or floor coverers.
“Everything we do is about attitude. Everything you do is 100 percent attitude, so always remember that. We are many trades, but one United Brotherhood,” Jerry Burke, Director of Education for the IKORCC JATF said.
16 Veterans Graduate through Helmets to Hardhats
Congratulations and thank you to the 16 Helmets to Hardhats graduates that completed their apprenticeship and honorably served our country.
16 of the graduates honorably served in our nation’s military and took part in the IKORCC’s Helmets to Hardhats program. Helmets to Hardhats puts vets on a fast track to union apprenticeship and a rewarding career in carpentry after their military service.
Helmets to Hardhats graduates represented the US Marines, US Army, US Army Reserves, and the US Navy.
Continuous Training Sets Union Carpenters Apart
In a speech to graduates, Royce Peters, Executive Director of the Carpenters International Training Fund, encouraged graduates to be good mentors and continue their training. “This journeymen class is now walking on paths in the construction industry that are not only unprecedented but unimaginable. Technology is changing. The key to staying competitive in today’s construction world is training.”
A New Generation of Journeymen & Journeywomen
EST Todd Pancake and 2021 IKORCC JATF graduate speaker Brittany Grier of Local 413.
New journeywoman Brittany Grier, from the Warsaw Training Center and Local 413, inspired the room as the 2021 IKORCC JAFT graduate speaker. Brittany is a fourth-generation carpenter, third-generation union carpenter and a second-generation female carpenter. She’s a superintendent for Ziolkowski Construction.
“The union runs in my blood and I believe in its ability to unite and build,” she said. “We are undervalued profession, yet we earn more hourly than the average American. Plus, 100 percent of our benefits are paid for by the contractor out of their pocket.”
She added, “In this room are all new journeyman carpenters. We have this fresh start to strengthen the reputation of the union, raise our worth, which will raise our wage – it all starts here with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Uniting together, treating our brothers like family and in turn changing the industry of carpentry.”
View her full speech here:
https://www.cmwcarpenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_1526.jpg13652048Lacey Nix/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngLacey Nix2021-10-05 15:36:092021-10-06 10:03:06405 Graduate from IN/KY Apprenticeship Program
Local 175 and Industrial Local 2501 out of Louisville are working together to gather donations for an area foster home. Uspiritus is a foster home working to “provide greater care for vulnerable children and families throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky”.
The Local Sisters are combining efforts to collect daily necessities and a Christmas list to support the foster home. Local 175 SIS Chair Amanda Wigge and Co-Chair Meah Jessup and Local 2501 SIB Chair Shannon Porter and Elaine Osorio visited Target to set up a registry for the charity drive.
“It’s all about giving back to the community or those in need – letting them know that we’re here for them”, Shannon Porter told IKORCC about setting up this drive.
Some everyday items in need include:
Toilet paper
Clorox wipes
Deodorant
Shampoo
Body wash
Twin sheet sets
Diapers
Socks
Boxers
Birthday candles
The Christmas wish list includes gifts such as:
Action figures
Hot wheels
Legos
Batteries
Bath body sets
Gas gift cards
Watches
Comic books
Posters
If you would like to help support these efforts, you can visit:http://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/SIBS1752501.You can ship donations to the Louisville Training Center at 1245 Durrett Lane, Louisville, KY 40213.
The last day to donate through this IKORCC charity drive will be December 9th, 2019.
https://www.cmwcarpenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/70124911_2496132173977994_9191702966648700928_o.jpg12801920Hannah Erwin/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngHannah Erwin2019-11-12 12:57:122020-06-24 10:45:25Sisters Gather Donations for Local Foster Home