The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers congratulates the first graduating class of the Local 191 Apprenticeship Program on Vancouver Island.
Although Victoria Shipyards, Lodge 191’s main employer, has an apprenticeship program for metal fabricators and welders, Lodge 191’s Business Manager Robert Taylor saw that there was a need to enroll members in a local apprenticeship program to offset the manpower demand as the shipyard increases its business and more 191 members retire.
First graduating class from the Local 191 Apprenticeship Program. (Left to right) Jared Arnold, Robert Taylor (Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, Local 191), Dylan Heemskerk and Robert Adam Moore.
Robert Taylor expressed “It is important that we keep adding to the industry people with the skills it requires. Jared, Dylan and Adam are examples of that, all three of them are dual Red Seal Journeymen.”
Victoria Shipyards uses 191 apprentices to increase the apprenticeship ranks for military, coast guard and commercial work. When the work picture slows down Lodge 191 prepares their apprentices to work as travel cards in sister locals across Western Canada by getting them Job Ready Dispatch qualifications.
Congratulations to Lodge 191 on your 70th year of continuous service to the working families on Vancouver Island. Developing an apprenticeship program for the industry will allow Lodge 191 to serve into the future for another 70 years.
Good Luck to Jared, Dylan and Adam in your career with the Boilermakers!