IBEW Local 530 Opens Stand-alone Training Centre in Sarnia, Ontario

Jan 13, 2019

The new facility will offer the local’s apprentice and journeyperson members greater choice in training, reports the National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO). “We have a substantial amount of work coming to town, necessitating more training all the time,” says Wesley Segade, the union local’s Treasurer and Training Assistant.

In its coverage, NETCO notes that Sarnia’s petrochemical industry employers demand a high level of safety certification. Recently, Local 530 has delivered a number of training courses, including First Aid, Arc Flash and Shock and estimating courses. More than 400 members have also completed a working at heights course to comply with provincial health and safety requirements.

“What we had was a classroom in the union office that could barely hold 16 people,” Segade told NETCO. “To be cost effective, especially for courses like Arc Flash and Shock, you need room for 24 trainees. Now we have two big classrooms plus a shop area that we’ll equip according to the programs we offer.”

The new training facility will also offer new courses on the Canadian Electrical Code, as well as recertification for all those who previously took Working at Heights training. Recertification is required every three years.

Local 530 received its charter in 1941, and has over 400 members who have been trained in all facets of the electrical industry, including the institutional, commercial, industrial, residential, service and power sectors. Members include electricians, instrument electricians, communication electricians, power linemen, electric motor winders and electrician welders.

Read the full article: www.netco.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Nov-28-2018-11_16_46-AM-test2.pdf

Photo source: NETCO