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Recognized as an Effective School-to-Work Practice,
November, 2002
Teaching Unionism in the Classroom
Teamsters Local Union 631
Las Vegas, NV
Overview of the Project
Teamsters Local Union No. 631, first chartered by the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) in 1937, is
currently the largest local in the state of Nevada. The
local supports more than 6,000 members who work for more
than 150 employers in the following crafts: Bechtel, NV
– Convention Construction, EG & G, Freight Ready-Mix,
Waste Management, UPS, and others. Local 631 provides
the students from the Community College of Southern
Nevada the opportunity to apply for apprenticeships and
training programs in convention and construction career
fields. In addition, Local 631 is also working to
provide career development experiences in several
community-based organizations, i.e., Job Corp, Desert
Rose High School, MASH Village, and other educational
programs throughout the southern Nevada area. The
local’s outreach activities to these educational
programs include presentations, workshops, job shadowing
opportunities, field visits, and job fairs.
Local 631 places specific emphasis on non-traditional
careers for women, disadvantaged youth, and displaced
workers in its training programs. The program is enhanced by
the use of current apprentices who offer presentations and
related hands-on experiences in union activities. Since the
inception of the program, more than 200 apprentices have
been trained and placed in union jobs. The average starting
wage for these individuals has been $12.79 per hour. In
cooperation with the Community College of Southern Nevada,
Local 631 has developed a special apprenticeship training
program in convention services for low income women seeking
entry into the job market. This program was initiated in
2001 and the first cadre of 15 graduates will soon complete
their training program. The training program has also helped
30 individuals receive their commercial driver’s license (CDL)
to work in the field of construction. According to Troy
Ohlhausen, Local 631’s training program executive director,
“The training center provides an opportunity for Local 631
to demonstrate the importance of supporting the skill
training needs of its members and local industries through
specialized training programs in high demand occupations.”
Participants and graduates also have the option of upgrading
their skills to enhance their career opportunities through a
variety of hands-on skill training programs. The program
also provides a viable alternative to students who are not
college bound.
The Need
Local 631’s training programs emphasize the
importance of providing union members skill training as
a means of upgrading their skills in specific craft
areas and maximizing wage and benefit opportunities for
workers. Many changes are occurring within the
convention and construction crafts that point to the
importance of making a wide range of training available
to workers. Technology, for example, has influenced
occupations at virtually all levels. Computers, for
example, are commonplace in about every occupational
level within industry. From manufacturing to truck
driving, high tech equipment is being employed to
streamline operations, aid efficiency, and help these
industry sectors remain competitive. Further, many new
safety regulations have been imposed on business and
industry. The Office of Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), has also placed new regulations that now require
workers to possess more knowledge about the management
of hazardous waste materials, the types of construction
materials used, introduced new waste storage
requirements, and many others. Many jobs formerly
regarded as “unskilled” are no longer viewed as such,
based on these and other trends that have influenced
industries nationwide. Vocational training has taken on
a new level of importance in ensuring that workers, both
union and non union, possess the skills and knowledge
necessary for job entry.
Local 631 also recognizes that the wages and benefits
workers receive are integrally related to the skill levels
of workers. The higher the skill level, the more likely it
is for locals to negotiate contracts with good wages and
benefits. As Troy Ohlhausen comments, “There are few jobs
left where an individual can enter the labor market and make
a livable wage without some prior vocational training
following high school. We need to recognize this as unions
and move forward to provide training and equip our members
with the skills necessary to maximize future wage and
benefit opportunities.” The convention and construction
industry within Las Vegas and its surrounding communities
have also recognized the importance of increasing skill
training opportunities and value Local 631’s role in this
effort. Companies throughout the regions have come to
recognize and value the skill training provided by Local 631
in terms of producing trained workers for their industries.
A partnership has been formed between Local 631 and the
convention and construction operators within the southern
Nevada area. These industries have been significantly
affected by the need for higher skilled workers and Local
631’s Training Program has made good business sense to
support.
The Community College of Southern Nevada also
acknowledges the importance and need for Local 631’s
involvement in their academic programs. Students enrolled in
the community college primarily receive academic advisement
for specific courses of study. Local 631 has played an
important role in providing students career guidance,
specifically in non-degree, technical skill occupations.
Students attending the community college now have additional
training options beyond academic programs of study. Troy
Ohlhausen states that, “The cooperative relationship with
the Community College of Southern Nevada has been an
important development. The community college helps to
identify students with interest in specific technical skill
job areas and assists us in making an appropriate match
between a student and Local 631’s Training Programs.”
Local 631 has also recognized the importance of reaching
out to non-traditional students. As noted earlier, an
apprenticeship program in convention services has 15 women
enrolled. In addition, Local 631 has developed relationships
with high schools and adult education programs where
predominately low income, low skilled individuals are
enrolled. This outreach to non-traditional groups is based,
in part, to Local 631’s commitment to broadly serve members
of their community with diverse backgrounds and needs.
Meeting the Need
Local 631’s Training Program was established
approximately 10 years ago under a joint
management-labor agreement between local trade unions
and convention center employers in the southern Nevada
region. The Training Program started modestly with
several informal skills training programs focused on
convention and construction industries. In 2001, Local
631’s apprenticeship program received state
certification and became a registered program. The
Training Program currently operates out of a
21,000-square-foot warehouse where equipment and set-ups
are available both for classroom and hands-on training.
In addition, apprentices receive part of their training
on-site at various convention centers in Las Vegas and
the surrounding area. The apprenticeship program was
developed by a team of union and employer
representatives.
Local 631’s apprenticeship and other skill training
programs are carried out in collaboration with many
community partners. These partners include Local 631, as
well as other unions, convention center employers,
construction contractors, secondary and postsecondary
education programs, and the Department of Energy. The
apprenticeship program is a unique and important part of
Local 631’s overall training program. The following outlines
several distinct strategies used by Local 631 in developing
the apprenticeship program which should be beneficial to
others in considering similar training efforts:
- Seek broad levels of support. The foundation of
the apprenticeship program is created through
collaboration of broad based partnerships throughout the
southern Nevada region. It represents significant
partnerships between labor, education, and business. The
initial step was to introduce the program to Local 631’s
officers and members. During this initial step, questions
and concerns were addressed and adequate levels of support
from union members were garnered. Support was also
obtained from local employers. Employers needed to be
assured that high standards would be maintained and that
students exiting the program will meet or exceed industry
skill standards and expectations.
- Establish relationships with education partners.
The Community College of Southern Nevada was a principal
partner supporting the convention services apprenticeship
program. This partnership helps to support the
apprenticeship program in several important ways. The
community college can: (a) receive financial resources
from the state to help support aspects of the
apprenticeship program; (b) recruit and enroll students;
(c) assess students’ interests and abilities in relation
to apprenticeship program standards to ensure that a good
match is made between the student and program; (d) enlist
community college faculty to support curriculum
development; and (e) provide counseling and tutoring
support to students during their participation in the
apprenticeship program. Similar relationships can be
established within public community colleges, technical
colleges, as well as within other private and public
vocational training programs in virtually every state.
- Establish clear program standards and expectations.
The apprenticeship program was ultimately based on
industry skill standards and expectations. Reviewing the
convention services apprenticeship program standards with
employers and incorporating these standards into the
curriculum was an important strategy. The Bureau of
Apprenticeship Training (BAT), Nevada Department of Labor
was the governmental agency that ultimately approved the
standards and program curriculum. A similar organization
or governmental body is found in every state. In addition
to incorporating the industry skill standards into the
program, expectations were also developed for the
participants themselves. This included establishing dress
codes and expectations that positive work behaviors (e.g.,
good attendance, responsiveness to supervision,
follow-through, others) would be demonstrated by all
participants.
- Establish specific requirements for program entry.
In cooperation and consultation with the Community College
of Southern Nevada, program participants were screened in
relation to a set of minimum requirements and criteria for
program entry. Participants needed to meet a minimum of a
sixth grade or equivalent level of reading, writing, and
math skills. Candidates also went through an interview
that is scored by a panel of judges that included Local
631 training program staff, other union representatives,
and employers. Participants passing at acceptable levels
were admitted to the program.
- Curriculum design and program focus. The
convention services apprenticeship program involves 140
hours of classroom instruction followed by 2,000 hours of
on-the-job training. The curriculum includes the following
modules or units:
--Introduction to Apprenticeship – This
introductory component covers customer service, workplace
safety, employee conduct, proper use of tools, language of
the industry, and different convention service areas that
are serviced by the Teamsters union. In addition, students
are provided an orientation on labor history, contract
negotiation, and the benefits of working in the union
shop.
--Systems – This module covers MIS, GEM, Hard
Walls, and Designer Series Booths. Trainees learn to
identify different panel finishes, read basic system
prints, identify various metal parts by name, and learn
proper set up and tear down procedures, including packing
the material. This is a hands-on class.
--Forklift – This class complies with OSHA
regulations and emphasizes safety. Safe load weights and
basic operating techniques are instructed.
--Installation and Dismantle (I & D) – Trainees
learn to read blueprints, how to properly use power tools,
ladders, avoid back injuries, basic construction skills,
laying custom carpet, and increase their customer service
skills.
--Decorating – Basic skills of decorating are
instructed through hands-on application. Flow layout,
carpet laying, term usage, furniture identification,
understanding work orders, safety, dressing risers, and
topping and skirting tables are all part of this course
module.
A second training effort has also been underway to
support the commercial licensing of drivers in the
construction industry. Approximately 30 individuals have
participated in this CDL training program. The program
focuses on a variety of different construction vehicles
including off highway, water truck/water pull, truck mounted
crane, material haul, and forklift. In addition, these
trainees are provided safety training according to OSHA
standards and regulations. All instructors are industry
certified and trained according to OSHA standards and
regulations.
The Results
The apprenticeship program in convention services is
a two-year program which began in 2001. Consequently,
the 15 participants in this training program have not
completed their training. According to Troy Ohlhausen,
“We are confident that the current participants will
successfully complete the programs and enter employment.
In fact, convention centers in the area have already
recruited most of our prospective graduates. Our program
has gained recognition among these employers and it is
safe to say that there is a job waiting for every
apprentice who completes this training program within
the next several months.” One of the most significant
outcomes reported by Local 631 is the positive impact
this type of training can have on the future wages and
benefits of program graduates. That is, skilled
apprentices who enter the job market earn higher wages
than general laborers recruited through conventional
means (newspaper ads, company announcements, others).
Other results focus on the CDL training program and its
success in licensing drivers in construction and related
industries. Local 631 has also begun development of
other relationships with high schools and adult
education programs. Local 631 provides field trips, job
shadowing opportunities, and information about union
careers in convention and construction. Through these
additional activities, the local hopes to make
additional impact in supporting the overall career
development and promote interest among young adults to
enter these industries by receiving training through
Local 631’s training programs.
Reflections
In reflecting on Local 631’s training program, Troy
Ohlhausen comments, “I firmly believe that continuing
education sponsored by the Teamsters is the future of
the union.” Many other unions, i.e., construction,
operators, electricians, and others have made
significant investments in skill training programs for
their union members. For example, these trade unions
have formal apprenticeship and other vocational training
programs for their members. These programs have been
instrumental in influencing union contracts, especially
in relation to securing good wages and benefits. In
order to remain competitive with their sister unions,
the Teamsters will need to carefully plan ahead and
consider ways in which it can invest in the training of
its members. Troy Ohlhausen adds, “Unions also need to
reach out to other partners, particularly, employers and
educational programs that can lend support in the form
of financial resources, staff expertise, student support
services, and other contributions that can build strong,
high quality apprenticeships and other vocational
training programs.”
More Information
If you would like to learn more about
Apprenticeship Training for College Students,
contact:
Troy Ohlhausen, Executive Director
Teamsters Local Union No. 631
Training Programs
4031 North Pecos, Suite 103
Las Vegas, NV 89115
Telephone: (702) 651-0344
Email:
twohlhausen@msn.com
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