Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I hope you and your families are doing well as we head into another busy construction season this spring.

The end of the apprenticeship school year is almost upon us. We have 25 fourth-year apprentices who we expect to graduate in June. The class has done a great job throughout their time at the Training Center, and we look forward to seeing them graduate to journeyman status and begin their transfer.

With the fourth-year class closing in on graduation, the application process for a new class of apprentices has continued as the work outlook remains strong. During this period, we had nearly 600 applications to the program. During the months of February and March, we conducted aptitude testing for those who had completed their application. Four days of interviews were conducted at the end of March and into early April. Many thanks to the JATC trustees for taking time out of their busy schedules to interview roughly 175 applicants. It was a long but productive application process with many good candidates. We expect to have a new probationary apprenticeship class beginning in late spring. Thank you to the Training Center staff for all their hard work during this busy time, as well as to all the applicants for their interest in the program.

NCCCO testing has continued out in Medway for the third-year apprentices. This has gone very well with most third-year apprentices having completed their requirements and many able to get additional certifications beyond the minimum standard. Journey members that may need help with an NCCCO renewal, I would encourage you to reach out to the Training Center office. In addition to crane classes on the schedule, Peter Gardiner has made himself available during the week for those members who need a light refresher. Those times are listed on the website.

CDL B testing for first-year apprentices is close to being complete. While this process is far more time-consuming with the new Federal Motor Carrier regulations, it has been a successful year with the apprentices. We were able to get some Journey members tested throughout the year as well and plan to have more Journey members A and B training and testing heading into the summer.

Journey member classes continue throughout the year, with the winter season being the busiest season for continuing education and other certification refreshers. Please sign up for the mobile news network and check the Training Center website as new classes are our being added throughout the year.

Lastly, it was great to see everyone in Portland for the March body meeting. It was nice to be able to host a meeting in Maine and see some members who might otherwise have a hard time getting to the meeting. Have a safe spring, and please reach out if there is anything I or anyone at the Training Center can do to help you.

Michael J. Carey
Training Coordinator