WIXOM - The new and improved Iron Workers Local 25 Training Center is open for business.

A ribbon-cutting on April 25 marked the grand opening of the facility. It was attended by Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry, local officers, and contractors. A similar celebration and open house for members and their families was held the following day.

"This facility empowers members of the iron workers to keep abreast of their craft, and make sure jobs are done safely and well," said Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting. "On behalf of the state, congratulations on putting this facility here and making sure our society's workforce is trained and ready."

Ground was broken on the project in November 2006 after a process that involved several years of consideration, site selection and design. Local 25 and its contractors were looking to replace a cramped facility along I-96 in Livonia, and opted to purchase a six-acre site off Pontiac Trail. Schonsheck, Inc. managed the construction of the new building.

Also in attendance was Walt Wise, general secretary of Iron Workers International Union, who called the new training center "a flagship facility."

"This building reflects a commitment to provide good jobs and good futures for workers in the community by iron workers and their contractors," he said.

Bill Treharne of Midwest Steel, chairman of the Joint Apprenticeship Committee, told attendees that the new facility will teach skills that have been handed down from generation - "skills that you can sell in the marketplace."

"We train apprentices and journeymen to be the best that they can be," Treharne said. "Today we dedicate this training center so that iron workers can enjoy a successful career."

The new facility offers 31,560 square feet of space - three times larger than the old training center. It includes three classrooms, an indoor shop, and extensive mockups of all facets of the trade.

"We have a new facility that will provide apprentices with skills and hands-on training that will benefit our workforce now and into the future," said Local 25 Business Manager Jim Hamric.

The training center is a collaboration between Iron Workers Local 25, the Great Lakes Fabricators and Erectors Association, the Associated General Contractors of Michigan, Inc., the Michigan Conveyor Manufacturers Association, the ReSteel Contractors Association and the Great Lakes Metal Building Erectors Association.

"The key to this whole industry and the livelihood of the contractors rests on their shoulders" - apprentices, said Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council President Patrick "Shorty" Gleason, a former Local 25 business manager. "Now they have all the tools in their gangbox that they need, going forward."

Training Coordinator Mike Relyin said a total of 43 technical, safety and certification courses will be offered at the school. He said the additional space at the school not only allows the school to expand teaching opportunities, it allows them to offer "on-demand" courses for contractors with special training requests. Currently, the center has 190 apprentices on its roster.

He said the actual move from Livonia to Wixom took place last summer, but it took months to get all the equipment set up in the new facility.

"During the planning we tried to think of everything we would need for classroom and hands-on training that would be second to none," Relyin said. "We incorporated ideas from training centers around the country, and I think we've built one of the best."

LISTENING TO Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry at the mike during the dedication of the new Training Center are (seated l-r) J. Michael Dornan, (City Manager-Wixom); William Treharne (Chairman IW Local 25 JATC, Midwest Steel); Patrick "Shorty" Gleason (President-Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, former Business Manager IW Local 25); Greg Hicks (General Organizer for the Iron Workers International Union, former Business Manager IW Local 25); Walter Wise (General Secretary for the Iron Workers IU) and Jim Hamric (Business Manager, Local 25).