Educator
All across Canada and the United States, UA members have an opportunity help prepare the next generation of skilled tradespeople. By becoming a Local Union UA instructor, our members show their commitment to passing on the skills of the trade to their brothers and sisters. UA members teach classes in every aspect of the trade, from basic science and math to job safety—a critical aspect of UA training—to welding, pipefitting, plumbing, HVACR and so much more. They teach their student members how to stay safe on the job, a critical aspect of the UA’s training. As new techniques and technologies are developed, these instructors help both apprentices and journeymen stay up to date on all these new processes and equipment—thus giving them an edge over their non-union competition. It is often said in the UA that training and education are the lifeblood of our union—and it is true.
UA members who choose this path also have the opportunity to become Certified Instructors, thanks to the internationally recognized Instructor Training Program. It takes five years to become certified, but this designation is highly coveted, and contractors and owners recognize the dedication and hard work required to achieve this milestone. In addition, UA instructors have an opportunity to earn a college degree through this program, giving them even more credentials. They learn not only how to better present the skills of the trade, but they also take professional and theoretical classes to help them become better teachers.
There are more opportunities for UA educators—they can become training coordinators for their local union training programs, or they can serve on their local’s apprenticeship training committee, which administers the program, reviews apprenticeship applications and manages financial matters associated with the program. All of these jobs are critical to the success of our education and training programs.
