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By Tracy Bennett
A
ccording to 2016 data from Con-
struction Labor Market Analyzer,
more than 5.7 million workers will
be needed through 2020 in non-res-
idential construction, yet the expected available
construction workforce during this period will
only be 4.7 million, resulting in a deficit of at
least 1 million workers. Recognizing the need to
attract and train a new generation of ironwork-
ers, three years ago, the Steel Erectors Asso-
ciation of America embarked on a journey to
establish ironworker training and apprentice-
ship programs across the country.Together
with the NCCER, the National Center for
Construction Education and Research, SEAA
created materials and assessments that
provide accredited, industry-recognized
skills qualification.
Standardized training, however, doesn’t
mean that steel erectors are limited to a
cookie-cutter program. Each of the SEAA
member companies participating is taking
a different approach,molding the program
to their individual needs. Some are targeting
high school seniors or military veterans, while
others are providing skills development to their
existing workforce.Most participating companies
are erectors, but not all.Others are engaged in
fabrication, labor recruitment and employment
placement, riskmanagement services, and one is
a technical college system that provides assess-
ments only.More than a dozen companies with
programs in 12 states are participating.
Meanwhile, SEAA’s accreditations are evolving.
In January, SEAA announced that it has complet-
ed NCCER endorsement of rigger, signal person,
and mobile crane operator certifications and
credentials. “These certifications complement
SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training, as many
ironworkers must also be qualified to perform
rigging, signaling, or crane operation tasks,” said
Tim Eldridge, SEAA Craft Training and Assess-
ment Coordinator and President of Education
Services Unlimited. The benefit of partnering
with NCCER is that SEAA members can tap any
of the 70+ craft curricula it offers.
Eldridge admits that traditional apprentice-
ship is a proven method, but given the skilled
of Iron and Steel Workers
Next Generation
Training the