Apprentice News

SERVING AS A judge for the 25th annual Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Competition this year carried a special significance for Ken Null, a retired Local 549 (Pittsburg, Calif.) member and former Babcock & Wilcox project manager. Null, who resides in Redding, Calif., was one of the 12 judges who participated in the very first apprenticeship competition, held in Kansas City, Kan., in 1988.

GRADUATE APPRENTICE Blaine Coulter, Local 169 (Detroit), won first place at the 25th annual Boilermakers’ National Apprenticeship Competition, held Sept. 23-27 at L-169’s training center in Dearborn, Mich.

L-146 pair captures first team event, first female Boilermaker competes

TWO MEMBERS OF Local 146 (Edmonton, Alberta) shared the first-ever team honors in the Canadian Boilermaker Apprenticeship Competition held at the New Brunswick Community College in Moncton June 24-28. Neil Bennett and Clayton Chiurka placed first in a field of seven teams from across the nation. The duo also won individual honors as top Boilermaker graduate apprentices — Bennett for 2011, Chiurka for 2012.

SETTING UP AND administering the new BNAP Online Interactive Training System was the focus

Internet-based instruction offers big advantages

BOILERMAKER APPRENTICES will soon gain a whole new training experience through an Internet-based program called the BNAP Online Interactive Training System. The system is under development by the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP) in conjunction with the Construction Sector Operations Division and the Kelly Learning Group. It will include an updated and standardized version of BNAP’s core curriculum.

EIGHT TOP BOILERMAKER graduate apprentices from across the United States tested their skills during the 24th annual National Outstanding Apprentice Competition held at the Local 7 (Buffalo, N.Y.) training facilities in Orchard Park Sept. 25-29. Contestants competed in written and practical tests. They were graded individually and as teams from their respective geographic areas. Judges included veteran Boilermakers and contractor representatives.

Mike McMullin named first recipient

LOCAL LODGE 555 (Winnipeg, Manitoba) presented its first Mark Langan Apprentice Achievement Award to Mike McMullin Dec. 1, 2010. The award recognizes apprentices who demonstrate commitment to the Boilermaker trade. It takes into account volunteerism, attendance at union meetings, work ethic on the job, performance in apprenticeship school, and respect by co-workers.

Four-month job makes lasting impression on 2nd-year apprentice Lucas Faganely

LUCAS FAGANELY, a second-year apprentice out of Local 128 (Toronto, Ontario), spent this past summer as a member of what he calls, “the craziest television adventure crew in the world.”

L-502’s Nordstrom places second; Northeast contestants take team honors

GRADUATE APPRENTICE Michael Bogue, Local 7 (Buffalo, N.Y.), won first place at the 23rd annual Boilermakers’ National Outstanding Apprenticeship Competition, held Sept. 26-30 at Local 7’s training center in Orchard Park. Western States apprentice C. Eric Nordstrom, Local 502 (Puyallup, Wash.), took second. Team honors went to Bogue and Jeffrey Nasta, Local 5 Zone 5 (New York), representing the Northeast Area.