Canadian locals hold supervisor training

Pictured above are, l. to r., front row: Grant Jacobs, Jonathan White, and Brian Mikkelsen; second row: Serge McLaughlin, Berren Sonier, David Noel, Hector Gale, and Denis Boutot; and third row: Gildor Sonier, Jean-Francois Le Blanc, Gregory Squires, Guy Paulin, Lory Thomas, and Nicolas Brideau.

TWO CANADIAN LOCALS held a two-day field supervisor leadership training program this summer, drawing nearly 30 participants who are interested in furthering their skills. Local 73 (St. John’s, New Brunswick) hosted the course on July 28-29; Local 146 (Edmonton, Alberta) held the course on August 19-20.

“The need for this type of industry-focused training was highlighted at this year’s Eastern Canadian Tripartite Conference,” said Grant Jacobs, National Director of Apprenticeship and Education. “Many of the contractors and owner representatives who attended stressed the importance of continued supervisor training for members across Canada.”

Jacobs said the program emphasizes people skills and communication techniques, with the objective of developing a field supervisor’s confidence and effectiveness. “These skills enable the union and the contractors to provide a higher level of service to Boilermaker clients.”

Jacobs taught the courses, assisted by Jonathan White, Assistant National Training Coordinator. At Local 73, Brian Mikkelsen, Boilermaker instructor at the Marconi Campus in Nova Scotia, also assisted.