Canadian News Local 987
Canadian News Local 987 Committed to Training Apprentices at Home Project to Create Standard Practical Assessment for Crane Industry Reaches Milestone WHEN THE INDUSTRY required tower crane operators, IUOE Local 987 answered the call. Last year, Manitoba was experiencing a tremendous amount of growth in a very short time. From hydroelectric projects in Northern Manitoba to numerous high rise projects in Winnipeg’s city center, work was booming. Manitoba being a smaller market could not fulfill this manpower call out without serious skills training taking place. Tower crane training had never been available in Manitoba in the past, therefore a number of steps had to be taken before training could commence. One of the driving forces was the overall benefit this would mean not only to industry and the province, but also the union since they sought to keep their current market share at 100 percent. Apprenticeship Manitoba, as well as the local community college, were both on board and fully supportive of this huge endeavor. Tight timelines had to be met. IUOE Local 987 purchased a Potain MD-365 tower crane and excavation started immediately. In one month the crane was up and operational. By July, twelve apprentices had completed training through the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba, written their Red Seal and entered the industry. This is something the union, as well as the training institute, are extremely proud of. Having a tower crane available for training puts Manitoba on the map by allowing apprentices to complete their training at home, not having to leave the province. Going forward, all apprentices will now be given an opportunity to experience operating a tower crane while going through their schooling. It also opens the door to other smaller provinces, allowing them to potentially take tower crane training in Manitoba. [photos & article] IUOE Local 987 THE ASIA PACIFIC Gateway Skills Table (Skills Table) has released the National Mobile Crane Operator Demonstration of Skills Test (DOST), a turnkey package consisting of products now available for use by Canada’s crane industry. DOST can be used to assess the practical ability of a mobile crane operator to safely operate cranes to Occupational Health and Safety requirements and industry standards. It is comprised of the DOST Protocol and Candidate Guide, each designed to complement the existing Red Seal endorsement. The DOST Protocol includes standardized questions for written assessments, an Assessor’s Guide and checklists. The Candidate Guide provides standardized information to candidates undertaking the DOST and includes information on the scope of the assessment. For the past two years, the Skills Table has led a project committee of industry representatives to develop DOST. During the development phase, the project committee provided strategic guidance and sought input from a technical working group of industry and crane subject matter experts in jurisdictions across Canada, with testing completed by training organizations throughout the country. “We are pleased with the final outcome of the report and are happy that our industry partners came to the table to assist us in the development of the DOST,” said Lionel Railton, Project Chair and Canadian Regional Director of the International Union of Operating Engineers. “We remain hopeful that the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship will adopt the DOST as part of the Red Seal Mobile Crane Operator program.” Industry has long touted the need for a standardized DOST to increase employability for crane operators relocating for work, reduce red tape for employers, lower costs for all, and improve safety. The DOST is a solution for jurisdictions without existing tools, while those that have a DOST can use it to compare systems in place and make improvements. Employers can use DOST to conduct in-house assessments. Efforts were made to include the DOST as part of the Red Seal assessment process for mobile crane operators. As the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship is focusing on harmonization of apprenticeship as its strategic priority, the Canadian Hoisting and Rigging Safety Council (CHRSC) will assume the position as steward for DOST. The CHRSC, a key strategic partner and project committee member since the inception of DOST, will continue its advocacy position for DOST as part of the Red Seal assessment for crane operators. In addition, CHRSC has committed to actively communicate with industry and respond to DOST-related inquiries, and ensure the DOST Protocol and Candidates Guide is publicly available online. The CHRSC will also review the DOST Protocol at least every five years. DOST Protocol and Candidate Guide documents are available for download by visiting cadmobilecranedost.com The project was managed by the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table and funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program. [photo] IUOE Local 115 16 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER WINTER 2017 17
