Gerry Klimo introduces a skills development exercise in customer service.
FIFTEEN MEMBERS FROM 10 Boilermaker lodges traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to attend a project management training class sponsored by MOST, the Boilermakers’ Mobilization, Optimization, Stabilization and Training Fund. Held at the Embassy Suites Hotel near Kansas City International Airport Jan. 23-27, the class teaches Boilermakers to take leadership roles in managing multi-craft projects, and to make decisions that positively benefit the owner, the contractor and the union. Instructing the class were Pittsburgh Local 154 retiree Gerry Klimo and Chicago Bridge & Iron retired contractor Mike Suplizio.
MOST, the Boilermakers union and the National Tripartite Committee established the training in 2004 with the goal of increasing the supply of Boilermaker project managers, according to MOST Administrator Dale “Skipper” Branscum. At the time, contractors were relying on other crafts for the management of Boilermaker projects.
“The idea was that MOST would start to cultivate and train Boilermakers to move into those upper-level management positions, because they could more effectively and efficiently run Boilermaker projects,” said Branscum.
Klimo said the class has been successful because of the quality students, the project management experience of the instructors, and the interactive and collaborative materials. "This course is designed so that students have hands-on training in every section and they work together as a team."
Branscum said they’ve seen good results from people that have come through the class. “We know a lot of them have gone on to be project managers and are still working in those capacities.”
Participating in the MOST project management training are, left to right, front row: Chad Smit, L-374 (Hammond, Indiana); Jaime Cartwright, L-107 (Milwaukee); Mike Suplizio, Instructor; Bridget Connors, MOST; Tony Smarra, MOST; and Skipper Branscum, MOST.
Middle Row: Darryll Tedford, L-60 (Peoria, Illinois); Andrew Perry, L-85 (Toledo, Ohio); Bernard Ackerman, L-154 (Pittsburg); John Putz, L-154; Scott Whittemore, L-647 (Minneapolis); Nathan Cauley, L-502 (Tacoma, Washington); and Charles Slattery, L-13 (Philadelphia).
Top Row: Gerry Klimo, instructor; Cal Nate, L-374; Brent Houseworth, L-363 (East St. Louis, Illinois); Will Howard, L-110 (Hattiesburg, Mississippi); Jared Simatic, L-502; Frank Norris, L-363; and Jed Melnick, L-154.
For information about MOST’s project management training, or other MOST offerings, visit their website at https://mostprograms.com/program/.
