“SEAA is great resource of education, safety and steel industry trends."
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Thankful for volunteers and members I was reminded of the foresight and hard work of SEAA’s founders while listening to Eddie Williams recently. As Chairman of Buckner Companies and a past President of SEAA, Eddie Williams and the Buckner Companies embody the original spirit of this association. During the dedication for a new Training and Testing Education Center in Graham, N.C., Eddie Williams announced that the facility, including a Training Tower that mimics real work conditions, will be made available to other erectors. “You may ask why we allow our competitors to use this facility,” asked Mr. Williams. “Every Ironworker that is trained, adds one more skilled worker to the pool that we all, at one time or another, draw from. This helps the entire industry,” he said. As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the erectors and fabricators, who more than 45 years ago met to form a regional association intended to improve communication between erectors and fabricators. That group was the foundation for our association today. “In those days, the general contractor purchased fabrication and erection separately. When problems arose, there was no direct line of communication between the fabricator and erector. Today, the GC or Owner typically purchases steel ‘fabbed and erected’ from the fabricator, and the erector subcontracts from the fabricator,” explained Mr. Williams. It’s amazing what an impact those original companies have had on improving the productivity and safety of the industry as we know it today. Safety and Training for members remains one of our highest priorities. SEAA’s Ironworker Craft Training Program, DOL Apprenticeship, and key relationships with OSHA and other industry organizations are tangible ways SEAA is helping you recruit employees and develop them into productive, safe members of your team. According to a 2015 Workforce Survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, Ironworkers are in high demand—47% of the time, this is a position companies have trouble filling with qualified people. Meanwhile, half of these employers feel that the overall quality of the local pipeline for training is poor or below average. As a result, safety is being impacted, with 15 percent of firms reporting an increase in injuries and illnesses because of worker shortages. Membership renewals are due Dec. 31, 2015. As you consider the benefits of being a SEAA erector or fabricator member, remember this association is only as great as its member companies and the individuals who volunteer to lead it. I’m thankful for those North and South Carolina-based companies that took that first step toward working together. We continue to strive for mutual support and collaboration for the benefit of all... Here are just a few of the ways SEAA is working as your partner to prepare Ironworkers for today’s projects and tomorrow’s challenges. SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training includes ALL Core Modules; ALL NCCER Ironworker Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Rigger Modules; Signal Person Modules; plus our own custom SEAA curriculum. With your participation, SEAA will administer Ironworker and other NCCER Assessments at your company or on your job site. We also offer one-on-one consultation to help you implement your SEAA-sponsored Ironworker Craft Training program. SEAA’s U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program for Ironworkers provides a template for SEAA member companies to establish Registered Apprenticeship programs in your region, allowing you design training prescriptions for Journeyman Level workers to fill any gaps found in knowledge and skills. Ironworker Apprenticeships also increase competitive pricing. SEAA works closely with government and other industry organizations to broaden the resources available to our members. We have maintained a close relationship with OSHA officials and have supported OSHA’s national safety stand-down to prevent falls in construction the last two years. We also keep an open dialog with AISC, SDI, SJI, NISD, NACB, NCCER, and NCCCO to keep our members current on related steel construction methods and trends. SEAA keeps its members connected through regular email newsletters, Safety Flash reports, and the quarterly Connector publication, not mention Golf Tournaments and our annual Convention and Tradeshow. (Mark your calendars for April 27-29, Charlotte, N.C.) Thank you for your past commitment to the Steel Erectors Association of America. We look forward to providing you with these and other premier member benefits and services in 2016. Renewals are due December 31, 2015. Click on the Members Only section and enter your User Name and Password. If you help with the online process, which saves the Association time and money, contact Kathy Epperson at 336-294-8880 or email her at admin@seaa.net. Sincerely, Thomas S. Underhill Executive Director
Thankful for volunteers and members
Thank you for your past commitment to the Steel Erectors Association of America. We look forward to providing you with these and other premier member benefits and services in 2016. Renewals are due December 31, 2015. Click on the Members Only section and enter your User Name and Password. If you help with the online process, which saves the Association time and money, contact Kathy Epperson at 336-294-8880 or email her at admin@seaa.net. Sincerely, Thomas S. Underhill Executive Director