Accessing Union Apprenticeships Conference

November 4, 2022

Accessing Union Apprenticeships is a free, engaging conference for all education, industry and community stakeholders who are interested in providing access to high-wage, high-skilled, high-demand careers in the building trades.

Access files from the 2022 conference
“My favorite part was the time for collaboration with educators, industry, and community-based organizations. It’s rare to have all three in a room talking about how we can help students.”
2022 Attendee
Professional Learning Coach
“I liked seeing all the possibilities for my students. All the staff I interacted with were great! This makes it much easier for me to explain what the programs are like to my students.”
2022 Attendee
Teacher
"The most eye opening part of the event was the panel at the end. They gave good insight and shared their stories. I loved the diverse representation of different paths people took to get to their careers."
2022 Attendee
Teacher
  • Tour metro-area union apprenticeship training centers
  • Engage in hands-on trades breakout sessions
  • Take applied learning lessons plans back to the classroom
  • Network with industry and apprenticeship partners
  • Meet apprentices and hear their real-world stories
  • Learn what an ideal trades candidate looks like
  • Gain an understanding of apprenticeship and how it changes lives
  • Find out how you can support youth into entering these high wage, high demand careers
Email information.aua@gmail.com with questions.

Thank you to the sponsors who made this
event possible!

Program

Morning Plenary
LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center, 17242 NE Sacramento St, Portland, OR 97230
7:45 AM Registration– pick up your color-coded name tag and swag bag
Breakfast and Opening Remarks – Aida Aranda, LiUNA Training Director
Portrait of a Tradesperson – Isis Harris, IBEW Local 48 Journey Inside Electrician
Connecting Diverse Students to High Quality Careers in the Trades – Kelly Haines and Janine Weir
9:25 AM Meet your tour group at the designated pick-up area (Blue group can remain in the auditorium)

Tours and Breakout Sessions – register for the group tour of your choice:

Click here to register for the red group
RED GROUP
Visit the Sheet Metal Institute & the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute

9:45      Sheet Metal Institute Tour and one Breakout Session:

11:10       Informational Lunch (provided)
12:00     Shuttle bus to Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute
12:15       Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute Tour and one Breakout Session:
1:45     Shuttle bus returns to LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center

 

Click here to register for the blue group
BLUE GROUP
Visit the LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center & the Sheet Metal Institute

9:45      LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center Tour and one Breakout Session:

11:10       Informational Lunch (provided)
12:00     Shuttle bus to Sheet Metal Institute
12:15       Sheet Metal Institute Tour and one Breakout Session:
1:45     Shuttle bus returns to LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center

 

Click here to register for the yellow group
YELLOW GROUP

Visit the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center & the LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center

9:45     NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center Tour and one Breakout Session:

11:10       Informational Lunch (provided)
12:00     Shuttle bus to LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center
12:15       LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center Tour and one Breakout Session:
Click here to register for the green group
GREEN GROUP

Visit the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute & the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center

9:45     Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute Tour and one Breakout Session:

11:10       Informational Lunch (provided)
12:00     Shuttle bus to NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center
12:15       NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center Tour and one Breakout Session:
1:45     Shuttle bus returns to LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center

Plenary Sessions

Afternoon Plenary
LiUNA Laborer’s Training Center, 17242 NE Sacramento St, Portland, OR 97230
2:00 PM Constructing a Diverse Workforce in Oregon with Mark Brenner
2:45 PM Pre-Apprentice and Apprentice Panel
3:30 PM Door Prize Raffle (be present to win!)
Portrait of a Tradesperson with Isis Harris

Keynote: Connecting diverse students to high quality careers in the trades with Kelly Haines and Janine Weir
Janine Weir and Kelly Haines will speak to the partnership in Beaverton School District to build out a magnet Construction Trades program for diverse students in the region. Working directly with union apprenticeship programs in the building trades and the carpenters, this program’s curriculum was directly designed with input from industry experts, including providing guidance on how to remodel and overhaul the physical space and ensure a robust process to connect middle and high school students into registered apprenticeship and be set up for success. By directly connecting with industry, this program is highly responsive to the training and employment needs of contractors and helps to ensure relevance in all aspects of the classroom instruction.

Constructing a Diverse Workforce in Oregon with Mark Brenner

This workshop will give participants a progress report on how Oregon’s registered apprenticeship programs are doing when it comes to recruiting and retaining a more diverse workforce. We’ll look at how women and workers of color fare in different construction apprenticeship programs, what factors are pushing them out of the trades, and what can be done to ensure historically under-represented groups find success in apprentice programs and long-term careers in the industry.

Pre-Apprentice and Apprentice Panel, moderated by Angie Gilbert
Meet and hear from pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship program participants to learn how they learned about apprenticeship, why they got involved with apprenticeship and what they’ve gained from their experiences on their way to becoming a journeyman in their trade.

Breakout Sessions

Apprenticeship 101 with Loren Burnham

This session will provide an overview of Oregon’s apprenticeship system and program operation from applicant to completion.

Apprenticeship vs College (or both?) with Dawn Loomis

No longer does a person have to choose between college or an apprenticeship. Learn how apprentices earn college credit while completing an apprenticeship. Discover what degrees an apprentice can earn – DEBT-FREE.

Building a Sustainable Workforce Through Youth Pre-apprenticeship moderated by Lorne Bulling

Through a panel discussion with some of Oregon’s Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Program providers, get a roadmap for what it takes to build a successful and sustainable pre-apprenticeship program that will lead your students towards high-wage, high-skilled, high-demand career opportunities in the trades.

Creative Ways to Bring Trades Careers to K–8 Students with Lisa Klingsporn

How can you bring awareness of trades careers to K-8 students? This session will provide four different experiences to build awareness of trades careers (and other careers as well) for K-8 students.

Explore the Carpentry Trades | Carpenters with Chopper Smart

Pick up tools and participate in several skill building activities from PNCI’s pre-apprenticeship program. You’ll learn to use a hammer efficiently, operate a screw gun ergonomically and how to drill straight holes. CTE teachers might find an idea to use in their shop or appreciate the Tool Safety & Operation Checklists we will share.

Fabricating Conduit Runs with Trigonometry | Electricians with Laura Benedict

Electrical conduit provides a protected pathway for electrical conductors as they are routed from point A to point B. Learn how electricians use trigonometry every day to create the art form that is the pride of the electrical industry.

You will practice some basic conduit bending and walk away with the sample you do in class and a lesson plan so you can recreate the experience for your students. Enter the raffle for a chance to win the tools and materials needed for your class!

Introduction to Environmental Remediation | Laborers with Ryan Leffell

Be Amazed & Have Fun! Apply STEM in hands-on instruction and simulated real-world application in a safe controlled environment. Get a picture* of how students get the skills and tools needed to solve problems and be part of the solution in cleaning up our communities and helping create healthier environments for all of us!
*Photo booth op in HAZMAT suits! Create a postcard to promote STEM & Environmental Remediation Trade Careers!  Take away a STEM Lesson plan related to construction environmental remediation.

Not Just Another Brick in the Wall | Bricklayers with Jana Ashton

Have you ever wondered how those brick walls always look so straight and uniform?
Well come and learn how Math and Measuring make it possible. You can also try laying some brick for yourself.  Come prepared to get a little messy and learn about one of the world’s oldest crafts.

Increasing Opportunity for Oregon Learners: Career Connected Learning, Work Based Learning and Pre-Apprenticeships with Beth Molencamp and Brandie Clark

In this session, we will explain the newly developed system of Career Connected Learning in Oregon and the many resources and activities available to students, schools, and industry partners. Explore how Career Connected Learning, including Work-Based Learning, in a CTE Program of Study helps students explore careers in the trades.
Share how industry partners can support efforts to help prepare students for successful careers.

Oregon State Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs moderated by Aida Aranda

Local Pre-Apprenticeship Program representatives will provide detailed information on their specific programs and answer questions.

Riding Trowel Machines 101 | Cement Masons with Jeremy Kendall

We will be using our new Virtual reality riding trowel machine to let students get an introduction to safety, operation and basic techniques.

What is a Sheet Metal Worker? with Ben Wood

We will be giving a presentation on what Sheet Metal workers do and have a discussion about wages, benefits, apprenticeship specifications, and trade entry.  We will give a tour of our facility and finish off with a project.

Yes, video games can help you find a rewarding career in the trades | Operating Engineers  with  Nathan Stokes

Immerse yourself in the world of heavy equipment operating by running a high-tech computer that simulates real world construction techniques and operations.  Hoisting work (cranes) and excavation work (excavator, loader, dozer) are just a few of the pieces of equipment available for an introduction to the world of heavy equipment operating.

Aida Aranda, Training Director, Oregon & S. Idaho Laborers Training and Apprenticeship
Aida photo I have been working with the Oregon Laborers’ registered apprenticeship program for 15 years and hold a 25-year membership with the Laborers International Union of North America. I am a Construction Craft Laborer (CCL) by trade and a subject matter expert. I consider Registered Apprenticeship to be my personal and professional passion and am always excited to promote Union Construction trade apprenticeships and the fantastic career opportunities they offer equally to anyone who is willing to learn and work hard. I have worn many different hats in my work, but my all-time favorite is still my hard hat.
Angie Gilbert, School-to-Career/Trades Coordinator, Reynolds Learning Academy (RLA)
Angie Gilbert headshot (2) RLA is a small high school in East Multnomah County with a diverse population of students and a demonstrated record of providing successful post-secondary connections to students for apprenticeship application and apprenticeship program completion. I have successfully run one of the few Youth Pre-Apprenticeship programs in Oregon for the past 18 years and believe deeply in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship as a tool to lead students out of poverty and into high-wage, high-demand, high-skilled careers.
Ben Wood, Training Coordinator, Sheet Metal Institute
Ben Wood Ben started out his career at the Sheet Metal Institute in 2017 as an instructor. In January of this year, they promoted him to Training Coordinator. In his new role, he wears many hats. His overall responsibility is to work with the staff to keep things running smoothly and provide the best apprenticeship education possible for the contractors and Sheet Metal Local 16. Ben works with the instructors updating the curriculum. This includes incorporating new technologies into the training and managing the needs of the apprentices for certifications and upgraded classes. A big part of Ben’s job includes outreach. He represents SMI at career fairs and trade awareness events throughout the region. As an on-staff Certified Welding Instructor, he manages the welding department to maintain SMI’s accredited testing facilities.
Beth Molencamp, Career Connected Learning Coordinator, Oregon Department of Education
molenkamp Beth supports the work between ODE and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission in the creation of a network of Career Connected Learning System Navigators to support all students, PreK- Community College, in achieving their career goals. As a former CTE educator, CTE regional coordinator and college administrator she is well aware of the need to create seamless pathways for students that lead to high wage and fulfilling careers. Watching her father complete his electrician’s apprenticeship while she was a child showed the value of multiple pathways to rewarding careers.
Brandie Clark, Work-Based Learning Specialist, Oregon Department of Education
Clark Brandie supports local school districts, education service districts, and community colleges in implementing work-based learning opportunities as part of a Career and Technical Education Programs of Study. She serves as a liaison between the Oregon Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI), and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). Brandie is committed to our shared growth in promoting equitable opportunities for all students in Oregon to find their career path.
Dawn Loomis, Director, Workf