Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
Happy Memorial Day
Thank you to the Labor Committee for their hard work in negotiating a contract that the members liked and was voted in.
I just unloaded our new Valve Lab. This is another tool in our tool box to have the highest skilled tradesmen in the country! I also just got off the phone with Greg Devlin about our welding classroom and we are finally moving forward. It wasn’t NEIEP holding up the installation of the welding classroom, I didn’t have the room ready. The electricians have completed all of their work and things are moving right along. In the next few months we will have done several CPR & First Aid classes, OSHA 10 class, several Fork Lift classes, and a couple of Valve classes. I think we should be doing more classes like Motor Generators, Solid State, HCL, OSHA 30 and so on. I have never heard of a skilled trade person being over skilled. These are only a few of the things that NEIEP does to support our industry in being the best!
Thank you to everyone that works at NEIEP for training our Apprentices and enhancing the skills of our Mechanics.
I like Webster’s definition of a Journeyman, but I think I have a better definition, youdecide.
Webster’s: A “journeyman” is a skilled worker who has successfully completed an official apprenticeship qualification in a building trade or craft. They are considered competent and authorized to work in that field as a fully qualified employee.
Bill K.: A “journeyman” is a highly skilled worker who has successfully tested and completed the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). Continues his/her education to retain the highest skilled in the industry. They’re considered masters of the trade and mentors to all others.
Save the Date: September 9, 2017: Family Union Meeting, Grand Opening and Open House. It’ll be a BBQ so everyone can check out the grounds, deck, classrooms, offices and union hall. We are very proud and excited to show off our building and everything else we have to our signatories, union, family and friends
Dates to remember:
No Union Meeting due to Memorial Day
May 3, 2017 Gaylord Union Meeting (after CPR class)
May 18, 2017 JAC Meeting
May 29, 2017 Memorial Day (paid Holiday, thank your Union)
NEIEP:
Fork Lift class: Instructor RJ Shaughnessy
May 2nd or May 3rd – Part 1, these are the same class, you will only need one of them in this group.
May 9 or May 10th – Part 2, these are the same class, you will only need one of them in this group.
Golden Rail Club:
Kalamazoo: 4.5.2017 First Wednesday at 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s
Grand Rapids: 4.18.2017 Third Tuesday at 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 4.19.2017 Third Wednesday at Zeus’ Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz
