For Immediate Release

Contact: John Tenorio or Valerie Mizialko
J. Arthur & Associates 661/294-6204

Trainees Become Skilled Journeymen

LOS ANGELES, CA - 9/28/01 - Throughout history, the practice of apprenticeship has proven to be an effective tool for creating skilled, knowledgeable, and well-trained craftsmen in the construction trade. The Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC), which is composed of contractor representatives of the Union Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) and union representatives from Locals 36 and 220 of the United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers recognized the need to provide its industry with qualified workers. In response to that challenge, the JAC established a comprehensive apprenticeship program which was dedicated to providing member companies of URCA with a skilled work force as well as advancing the careers of new and experienced workers in the roofing trade.

While the basic approach to roofing has remained constant over time, changes in technology, equipment, materials, and safety regulations combined with the more diverse ethnic backgrounds of incoming workers have prompted the JAC to expand its curriculum and to enhance the administration of its program through the hiring of a new Apprenticeship Coordinator, Guadalupe Corral.

Mr. Corral, who is a graduate of the Apprenticeship Program, was awarded Journeyman status in 1985. He has been a roofer for over 20 years, a foreman for 17 years, and earned his teaching credential from the University of California San Diego. An enthusiastic advocate for the program and the opportunities it provides its graduates, Mr. Corral has begun expansion of the courses offered to include OSHA's higher safety standards, First Aid and CPR courses, and is including guest speakers from the roofing materials and equipment sectors in order to educate roofers on the best practices for use of their products. "Our goal is to provide the industry with roofers who have a strong practical 'hands-on' experience along with solid academics", says Corral.

Safety in the workplace is one of the strongest concerns from the standpoint of the worker, contractor and customer. Therefore, in safety training, it is most important to teach common sense safety guidelines and to educate apprenticeship roofers on how those guidelines translate from the classroom to the roof. "Unsafe roofing practices have hurt the industry in the past. For this reason, our Union workers are being trained to not only be the best, but the safest workers," says Corral.

The JAC training program is a four year program administered through the California Department of Apprenticeship Standard. It provides trainees with weekly classroom instruction and practical, hands-on application techniques in such major roofing classifications as build-up, modified, and single ply roofing, coatings and waterproofing.

Apprentices in the program can expect to earn good living wages, starting at approximately $12.99 an hour. They are assigned to a signatory contractor who provides them with on-the-job training and continue to work in a classroom environment for three hours a week. After the initial training period, there are seven periods each consisting of 750-hour intervals. Trainees can look forward to increased earnings as they complete each of these periods.

Upon completion of the program, which takes approximately four years, the trainees are tested and are awarded the classification of Journeyman Roofer which commands nearly $25 an hour. Many opportunities are also afforded to the successful graduate including job foreman, sales representative and management positions.

"Roofing is a very secure industry," said Mr. Corral. "No computer will ever replace a well-trained craftsman on the roof. Better tools and equipment continue to make the job safer and work more efficient, but the industry will always be hands-on."

According to Ron Johnston, PhD, executive director of the Union Roofing Contractors Association, there is a direct correlation between the efficiency of workers and craftsmanship, and the overall cost savings of a roofing project. "The JAC training program has provided our union member companies with a well-trained and skilled work force which can get the job done within budget, on time, and right the first time," says Johnston. "Our apprenticeship training program is key to the betterment of the industry as a whole."

Individuals interested in learning more about becoming involved in the JAC Training Program should contact Guadalupe "Lupe" Corral (562) 927-1434 or call Local 36 at (323) 222-0251, or Local 220 at (714) 939-0220.