Union workers have logged more than 1.25 million hours of training at the Laborers Training Center in Lino Lakes, Minn., over the past ten years, and contractors who count on those skilled men and women were invited to an open house on February 29 to celebrate this accomplishment at the state-of-the-art 44,000-square-foot facility.
“Training is the cornerstone of what we do,” said the center’s training director, Russell Beyer. “Our members must be shovel ready for whatever work is ahead. We have trained workers for pipeline work, light rail construction and are always in position to train for the next big thing.”
The open house highlighted the Apprenticeship program and reviewed the nearly 60 course offerings featuring line/grade, instrument and GPS training. Attending contractors also participated in a roundtable discussion and tour the facilities.
Among the many prominent contractors in Minnesota that have benefited from a well-trained work force is Carl Bolander & Sons Co., which was recently announced as the contractor for the important demolition and environmental cleanup at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills.
“Thanks to the Laborers Training Center, we have the most skilled collection of professionals ready to tackle this challenging task,” said Mark Ryan, president of Carl Bolander & Sons, Inc. “Our company and others count on this facility – mutually operated by management and labor – to produce the best people possible for so many projects that are vital to our community.”
This year is starting out strong after a busy 2011, as more than 5,400 trainees logged nearly 111,000 hours.
“We’ve invested more than $19 million in our members in just the past six years,” Beyer said. “When you come through a recession like we’ve been in, you have to make the best even better to stay competitive in this economy. And training and education are always sound investments.”
The event was sponsored by Minnesota Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET), a non-profit labor/management organization affiliated with the Minnesota Laborers Union.
About the Laborers Training Center
Offering continuing education programs since 1989, the Laborers Training Center provides year-round construction industry vocational training through a full range of classes and apprenticeship programs for its 9,500 participating union members. Affiliated with the Laborers International Union of North America, the center is operated by the non-profit Construction Laborer’s Training Fund. A board oversees the center with equal labor and management representation. For more information, visit www.ltcmn.org.
About LECET
Minnesota LECET is a non-profit labor/management organization created in 1992 to facilitate the positive relationship between labor and management within the construction industry. Recognizing there are mutual concerns of both labor and management, LECET advocates for training and safety measures while promoting the benefits of Union construction to Minnesota’s economy. For more information, visit http://www.mnlecet.org.
