Two Local Unions Find H2H Candidates Make Successful Apprentices
Boilermakers Local 667
Boilermakers Local 667 in Charleston, West Virginia just graduated its first apprenticeship
class with eight members from Helmets to Hardhats. The February graduates included Tom Abbott,
Aaron Bradley, Dewey Greear, Chad Pinkerman, Anthony Reynolds, Jake Samples, Alan Staats, and
Joshua Whitecotton.
Craig Phillips, Apprentice Coordinator for Local 667, believes the military played an
important role in the development of these new journeymen Boilermakers.
"Their military lifestyles proved to be a great advantage when it came to performing a job
task as instructed, showing up for work on a regular basis, and having very strong work ethics,"
Phillips said. "Throughout the 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom and
shop training, these men showed determination and dedication. They came to the local training
center on their own time with journeymen Boilermakers who were willing to help them with their
welding skills."
When first indentured, these individuals had no real idea of what a Boilermaker is, or what
being a Boilermaker would mean to them, Phillips said. Most had no maintenance skills and had never
struck an arc with a welding machine. But by the end of the program, all eight had become certified
tube welders with multiple contractors, and one was also certified in plate welding.
"These apprentices started as individuals with no union work experience," Phillips said, "but
I am proud to report that they are now graduates; skilled journeyman Boilermakers." Meanwhile, over
300 miles east in Washington, DC, Plumbers & Gasfitters UA Local 5 in Washington DC proudly
boasts several Helmets to Hardhats apprentices, in addition to having graduated journeymen who came
through H2H as well.
Joseph I. Short, Business Representative/Organizer for Local 5, is a Veteran himself, having
served in the U.S. Army from 1988-1994. "The apprentices we have gotten through Helmets to Hardhats
have been phenomenal students," Short says, and this doesn't surprise him one bit. "Being military
myself, I had insight into what type of person the military creates. It's almost synonymous with
the kind of person we're looking for: the teamwork, the brotherhood, the work ethic and the
emphasis on training are all there. It's a really good fit."
Short first found out about Helmets to Hardhats when he was working as an instructor for
Local 5 several years ago, and he saw a presentation on H2H given by UA President William B. Hite.
"My first thought was that this is a great program," he recalls, "And it is. Seeing these Veterans
come through our apprenticeship training and go on to succeed in good careers is very rewarding. We
can take individuals who have no experience in this field, and train them to be successful
journeymen, business owners...the sky's the limit."
According to Short, Local 5 works with over 80 signatory companies, and several of them were
started by former apprentices who once came through the training program themselves. "Now, they're
doing well, and employing more of our workers. It's a win-win cycle!"
