Ironworker Craft Training and Apprenticeship Updates

The Steel Erectors Association of America Ironworker Craft Training program was established in March 2014 when the association achieved “Candidate Status” as an Accredited Training Sponsor and Accredited Assessment Center under NCCER guidelines. As an ATS/AAC “Candidate” the association may begin establishing Training Units and Authorized Assessment Sites, submitting training completions and conducting assessments.

Member companies can choose to become Training Units, Assessment sites, or both. To date there are three registered training and assessment sites: Cooper Steel, S&R Enterprises, and Schulz Iron Works. In addition to these SEAA sponsored TU/AAS’s, Buckner Steel and LPR are fully accredited sponsors working with the association to build a strong support mechanism for the SEAA Ironworker Craft Training program.

The curriculum is based on the NCCER Ironworker. Subject Matter Experts from several member companies built a custom curriculum, removing several modules form the NCCER ironworker curriculum and adding additional welding, safety, rigging and signal person modules. Participating member companies can use the SEAA curriculum, the NCCER Ironworker curriculum, or a combination of both.

SEAA Ironworker textbooks, Levels 1, 2 and 3 plus elective modules, can be purchased through the SEAA office. Instructor guides are also available.

SEAA also conducts written assessments for individuals and companies.

The association has submitted “Standards of Apprenticeship” to the US Dept. of Labor, ETA and will finalize registration in August 2014. This is a federally recognized standard that can be used in any state by member companies to establish a registered apprenticeship program.

Participating members are beginning to assess their current work force, provide training prescriptions and training opportunities. Delivery can be as versatile as the company chooses. Self study, traditional classroom, virtual classroom and online delivery are all acceptable methods of delivery.

Thirteen Ironworker assessments have been completed. Ironworkers successfully passing the written assessment will soon complete performance verifications to attain NCCER Certified Plus credentials.

For more information contact: Tim Eldridge 980-722-9373   t_eldridge@bellsouth.net