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Trade Work is Work You Wont Trade Once You Find Your FitThis month, the Builders Guild is proud to highlight the work of Eddie Green, Welding Instructor for  Steamfitters Local 449. During the month of February, you may have noticed the Steamfitter's video series showcasing Eddie’s path into the building trades as well as a reflection on the wisdom he has picked up along the way.

Eddie’s Steamfitter journey began with an intro to the trades from his father-in-law, who was a 35+ year journeyman out of Local 5. Much like his father in-law, Eddie is paying it forward by spreading the word about the opportunities available in the building trades.

From a part-time night welding instructor to a full-time integral piece of the 449 Welding program, while also training other apprentices, Eddie has put in countless work beyond his current leadership role.

“After 17 or 18 weeks in the program, the sense of accomplishment in the volume of certifications that the apprentices have received is the most rewarding part of the job,” Green said. “Entering the Steamfitters union is not a good option, but a great option, especially for young people. It allows them to enter a sustainable career without any education debt for them or their family.” 

You can find all of Eddie’s videos featured on our Facebook and Instagram!

Trade Work is Work You Wont Trade Once You Find Your Fit1For many years, the building trades perception was that the work was a “man’s” job. While that could have been the case in the past, we are proud that increased women across Pennsylvania are realizing and taking advantage of the benefits of a career in the trades.

Since March is Women's History Month, there is no better time to highlight some of the women in the industry who make our unions better. Expect features on two exceptional trades people, Izzy of Sheet Metal Local 12, and Jo Hanna from Plumbers Local 27. As depicted through Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn videos, both women were looking for alternatives to the traditional college route, to express creativity, have real world experiences, and set themselves up for a successful future.

We invite you to follow along this month, and to be inspired to take the next step in your building a trades journey. Unions and building trades are stronger with YOU! Always remember, the trades are for all.

 

 

Refrigerant Summit 500pxMedia Contact
Morgan Smith
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585-217-2254

North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council Announces Free Refrigeration Technician Training Event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The event is part of the nonprofit’s larger workforce development initiative to improve technician recruitment, training and retention.

MILL VALLEY, California—January 16, 2024—The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to advance climate-friendly natural refrigerants in supermarkets, has opened registration for their next Natural Refrigerant Training Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania March 19 – 21, 2024. Co-hosted with Steamfitters Local 449, the free event will offer comprehensive training for refrigeration technicians on the latest natural refrigerant technologies. 

The three-day event is open to all refrigeration technicians and will include new opportunities for hands-on training. On March 20, NASRC will welcome local HVACR students and faculty to network with event participants to increase exposure to natural refrigerant technologies and build industry connections.

“We are fortunate to have the top refrigeration trainers at these summits,” said Danielle Wright, executive director of NASRC. “Local 449 and other training centers across the country have shown incredible leadership in hosting these events. Investing in technician training and student recruiting is critical to the future success of this essential industry.”

A diverse group of refrigeration manufacturers and other industry experts will lead training on CO2 fundamentals, installation and maintenance, propane self-contained cases and micro-distributed systems.

“We are excited to share our World Class Technology Center with all refrigeration technicians and contractors, who are ambitious to learn,” said Brad Tisdale, HVACR Training Director for Steamfitters Local 449. https://ua449.com/ 

NASRC will host the next training summit on April 30 – May 2, 2024, in Irwindale, California. For more information, visit nasrc.org/training. To register for the Pittsburgh Training Summit, visit nasrc.org/pittsburgh-training

The Pittsburgh and Irwindale Training Summits are free of charge thanks to the generous support of premium event sponsors BITZER US, Climate Pros, CoolSys, Copeland and Hillphoenix.

These events are part of NASRC’s broader workforce development initiative to increase technician recruitment, training, and retention. To learn more, visit nasrc.org/workforce-development.

About the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council 

The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit working to advance climate-friendly natural refrigerants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by traditional HFC refrigerants. We collaborate with stakeholders from across the industry, including over 55,000 food retail locations, to eliminate the barriers to natural refrigerants in supermarkets. For more information, visit nasrc.org, LinkedIn, Instagram, X and YouTube.

New Year New Career 500pxAs you work your way through the beginning of 2024, you may be doing a double take at that list of resolutions: lose weight, eat healthier, floss more.  In fact, the most well-intended boss of all time from “The Office” once declared:

“12:01, January first, BAM! Blood everywhere.” - Michael Scott

While the Builders Guild can’t be the running buddy, it provides significant, and in some cases, life-changing opportunities every year. Moreover, the Builder’s Guild is a great educational resource for the region. If deciding on a career path or even changing the path is a priority, the construction trades offer a rewarding career without having to pay for training. Many people are looking for an alternative to the ever-rising cost of college, while others realize that their current job doesn’t align with their best vision of the future. Consider one of the 16 union trades offering more than 30 training programs.

Application season for the Western PA trades apprentice programs is upon us. Making the decision to get your piece of the American dream has never been easier. The Building Trades Pittsburgh website has organized the application process complete with sample tests and a directory to make the process even easier. 

Start 2024 on the right foot and visit the application section here. It’s time for your New Year, New Career.