ANN ARBOR – Now, the Iron Workers are coming.

For more than two decades, Washtenaw Community College has been the facility of choice for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Sprinkler Fitters, where they have conducted their annual week-long education events to train about 1,800 instructors from across the U.S. and Canada.

In August of 2009, the IBEW and the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry brought their train-the-trainer program (and nearly 2,000 instructors) to utilize facilities at the University of Michigan campus. They abandoned their long-time association with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, because of that school’s anti-union attitude.

Word is apparently getting around the building trades unions that Washtenaw County is the place to be for locating training programs. From July 14-24, WCC will be hosting the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers annual Instructor Training Program. Iron Workers General President Joseph Hunt said the National Training Fund Trustees unanimously voted to move the program, with its 700 instructors, to WCC.

According to the WCC, Hunt cited the school’s strong technical focus, long history of supporting union instructor training programs, and excellent shop facilities as just some of the reasons that his organization made the change.

“WCC has facilities perfectly suited for hands-on training and expertise working with union instructor training programs in the building trades, and we look forward to working with the Ironworkers and to assist in the program’s continued success,” said WCC President Larry Whitworth.

Business Manager Jim Hamric of host Iron Workers Local 25 said “we’re really proud that the instructors are coming to Michigan. The United Association has been happy here for a number of years, and the IBEW had a good first year here, too. Hopefully all the building trades will see that Michigan is an ideal spot for conducting their training programs.”

The Iron Workers training program has been held in San Diego, CA for the past 25 years.  Hamric said the move to Michigan was driven primarily by the success of the UA and IBEW training programs – and our state’s central location. “We’re going to save about a quarter of a million dollars annually because of how things are set up at the college,” Hamric said. “Plus we think we’re going to get a lot better participation from the Midwest and even the East Coast, from people who will now be able to drive here.”

Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti will host opening and graduation ceremonies for the Ironworkers on its campus, and will house hundreds of program attendees in its residence halls. A local Marriott hotel will serve as the headquarters hotel for participants.

“Eastern Michigan University takes great pride in our efforts to support our region,” said EMU President Susan Martin. “This is an excellent example of the partnerships that prove to be a win-win for everyone involved, and primarily for our community. We welcome the Ironworkers to Michigan.”

Local 25 has invited Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and other dignitaries to the opening ceremony on July 18, 2010.  In an invitational letter to Granholm and Dillon;  Local 25’s Hamric, President/BA Jack O’Donnell and Training Coordinator Mike Relyin said: “The Iron Workers recognize that the Ann Arbor community has historically been labor-friendly and is going out of their way to welcome the program. Hosting the annual Iron Workers Instructor Training Program will provide a huge economic impact to Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas including the heart of downtown Detroit.”  Without a doubt, this is good news for Michigan!”

(Washtenaw Community College contributed).