The
graduation banquet on March 8th culminated over 8,000 hours of
work for the 23 union members who completed the IAM/Boeing Joint
Apprenticeship Program. Yet most people are unaware of the rigorous
schedule and standards these members endure to finish the program.For four years, these individuals rotated shifts every quarter, learned a new machine every few months, attended school two to three days a week after work, in addition to having their progress regularly reviewed by a group of people - all to earn the title of journeyperson in their respective trades.
This year's graduates represented six trades: Machinists, Maintenance Machinists, Model Makers, Tool & Die Makers, NC Spar Mill Operator, Tool & Cutter Grinder. See chart below for graduates and their respective trades.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Arnie Durall Achievement Award, which is named after a former Boeing employee who spent over 40 years as an apprenticeship-related instructor. David Cogburn received the award for being the graduate receiving the highest marks in both shop work and classroom work over the life of the program.
This year's class had additional challenges after graduation, as many received WARN notices, were placed in lower graded jobs or have already been laid-off.
Bruce Venable spoke on behalf of
the graduating apprentices and conveyed the emotions that accompanied
four years of constant change. Bruce noted, "We learned to
work with just about anyone and obtained great people skills.
I have chosen to believe what I have gained is mine. The personal
and professional skills obtained through this program are currencies
that are tradeable on any market. My apprenticeship training better
prepared me for the future."Both the Union and the Company had their top leaders at the banquet - demonstrating the joint commitment to this program. From the Union, District 751 President Mark Blondin and IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger each offered their personal congratulations to the apprentices. Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Alan Mulally was also on hand to address the graduates and offer congratulations.
Congratulations to all apprentice graduates.