Over 3,000 high school students visited our booth at the Kentucky Construction Career Days (K4C) in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Many of the students are high school seniors interested in a career in the trades.
IKORCC apprentices & instructors were on-site to share all the great opportunities available in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
See the highlights below or by clicking here
This week, Indiana and Kentucky Instructors and on-the-job trainers had the opportunity to participate in a rigorous training for the latest Trimble Robotic Total Station. The Trimble Robotic Total Station is key to performing layout tasks more efficiently than with conventional mechanical systems. This training prepares our students and instructors alike to evolve with technological instruments that are leading the way in the Carpentry industry.
Director of Training for Indiana and Ohio, Jerry Burke says, “The Trimble training has given our Instructors the knowledge and resources to not only show our members how to perform Building Construction Layout and Data Collection in the most productive and efficient way, but will show increased value of our IKORCC workforce as the most innovative skilled craftsman.” 
The training included an informational classroom lecture and hands-on learning with assistance from Trimble certified instructors. During the hands-on learning, instructors were able to conveniently set up the Trimble and perform positioning around the training center. The Trimble will allow for positioning up to 300 meters (9,843 feet) away with the prism pole. The new instrument can also be set-up and performed efficiently by one user. This will be the first hands-on robotic instrument in the training center for instructors and students to use. Ari Perez, an instructor out of the Indianapolis, IN Training Center said, “As instructors we feel that it is our duty to keep pace with the technological advancements of our industries.” We look forward to the many opportunities the new training will provide for our members.
For more information on Trimble Robotic Total Station Training, contact a Training Center near you.
It wasn’t too long ago when Dave Morrow struggled to find construction work to help support his family. Construction and struggle were a family trade – a fact Dave desperately wanted to change.
Dave grew up in a strictly non-union family, never truly seeing the benefit of belonging. But when times were tough and his brother Steve Morrow of Local 200 joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and found success, Dave decided it was time to change his trajectory too.
The small leap he took to join the union, made a huge difference in his family’s life. Today, Dave Morrow is a 3rd year carpenter apprentice with a promising future. Work is steady, school is going well and Dave recently completed four days of intensive training at the Carpenter’s International Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Apprenticeship Leadership Training Program
During the 3rd Year Apprentice Program in Las Vegas, top apprentices gain a greater understanding of the Brotherhood and the construction industry, and of the role union members play in the success of both. Participants learn how professionalism, productivity, skill, and attitude contribute to their own success as well as that of their employers.
For Dave, the highlight of the training was a group discussion with UBC President Doug McCarron. “McCarron didn’t talk to us, he talked with us. This is a man who didn’t forget his roots or where he came from. It was inspiring,” Dave says.
In addition, Dave says he learned a great deal about the union and his own regional council the IKORCC. “I learned that it takes teamwork, hard work and dedication to get this union back to where we once were,” Dave says, adding that he left Las Vegas feeling inspired, motivated and ready to build a brighter future for his family and brotherhood.
“It starts with us – the apprentices. We part of something much greater than construction,” he added.
Union Focus on Career and Family
Dave took his new leadership skills back to the job, where he’s worked for two years. He’s found a new sense of job security and a career that allows him to spend more time with his wife and two young children.
“If you come in and do your job well, you will have work.” Dave says, adding, “I get to be home with my family on the weekends – it’s great.”
Dave Morrow is a proud member of Carpenter’s Local 200 in Columbus, Ohio.
Click here more information on our apprenticeship programs or trades.
The Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) selected Megan Walkowiak from Carpenters Local 435 to represent the Early Intervention Committee’s motto for, “Contractor, Community, Customer”, during the summer conference. She is a 3rd generation carpenter. Her grandfather, Benny Sroka (deceased), was an Honorary 65 year member, and her father, Dave Walkowiak, is a 39 year member. 
Like most young adults graduating high school, Megan had ambitions. She decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management, with a minor in human resources. After entering the world of nine-to-five, she decided being behind a desk wasn’t for her. Instead, she wanted to pursue a career as a contractor. She approached her father about joining the carpenters union and he insisted she had to go through the apprenticeship program.
While going through her apprenticeship, Megan excelled and started to stand out as a leader. During the third year of her apprenticeship, Megan was chosen to go to the International Training Center (ITC) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon her return, she immediately applied the skills she learned from her training. Megan began to mentor other women in the trade and started giving back to the community. Megan stated that one of her favorite volunteer projects was reroofing a house for a needy family whose child had cerebral palsy. 
Megan was appointed as Chairperson for Locals’ 435 and 373 Sisters in the Brotherhood (S.I.B.) Committee, where she conducts monthly meetings and continually inspires women to excel with their contractors, community, and customers. Recently, Megan was awarded a plaque of appreciation for all the work she has done. The plaque was presented to her at the August 8, 2017, Carpenters Local 435 Union meeting. Her father, along with her UBC sisters from Carpenters Locals 435 and 373, were in attendance to witness her accepting the award. The award was presented to her by the officers of Carpenters Local 435, several IKORCC representatives, and a special appearance by Teresa Moore, the IKORCC S.I.B. chairperson.
It is an honor to have this young lady go from an apprentice, journeyman, to newly a signatory contractor for our organization. The IKORCC looks forward to seeing great things come from her in the future and wishes her the best in her career!
Did you know that the IKORCC Apprenticeship Program pays you to learn and allows you to graduate debt-free with an associate degree from Cuyahoga (Tri-C), Ivy Tech, or Owens community college? With thousands of apprentices and hundreds of thousands of hours of training per year, our three state apprenticeship is leading the way against the competition. Learn more about the IKORCC Apprenticeship Program by contacting your local IKORCC office or by emailing website@ikorcc.com.
Congratuations to our 2017 Monroe, Ohio!
Congratuations to our 2017 Hobart, Indiana winners! General Carpentry – Edward Livergood, Local 1485; Interior systems – Juan Miranda, Local 1485; Millwright – Matthew Michels Local 1076.
