Ironworker Education Grant Awarded to All Things Metal LLC

Left to right: Timothy Rock, Greg Mcliver & Jeremy Mcliver (All Things Metal, Tim Eldridge (Educational Services Unlimited), Dave Schulz (Schulz Iron Works) and Tom Underhill (SEAA Executive Director)Ironworker Education Grant Awarded to All Things Metal LLC

The Education Committee of the Steel Erectors Association of America has issued a $4500 grant to All Things Metal LLC, Phoenix, Ariz., to help cover startup costs for establishing Ironworker Craft Training and Apprenticeship at its company. 

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This is the first time the SEAA Education Committee has awarded this grant, which was presented to the metal fabrication and installation company during SEAA’s 44th Annual Convention April 27-29, 2016 in Charlotte/Concord, N.C. 

“Qualified talent is getting harder to find. Many high school graduates are pursuing colleges and tech jobs. As the baby boomers retire, it is more and more critical that we train a new skilled workforce. As we began looking at hiring and training new people, our research led us to SEAA and their training and apprenticeship programs,” said Jeremy MacLiver, Chief Operations Officer of All Things Metal LLC.  In 2014, SEAA began implementing the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training as a network of programs around the country. Additionally, in October 2014, SEAA’s Ironworker Apprenticeship program was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as meeting the National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards.

All Things Metal provides miscellaneous steel erection and structural framing for big box retail, multi-story, multi-family housing, and similar structures. It will apply the grant toward the purchase of SEAA/NCCER books and training for four of its employees, each representing a different department, to become certified trainers. “Instead of complaining about the qualified workforce shortage, we decided to start training our own. We are partnering with several area high schools and vocational schools to recruit young people to our industry,” said MacLiver. Once All Things Metal’s program is up and running, the company estimates it will hire and train up to 10 Ironworkers per year.

“While SEAA members benefit directly by raising the knowledge and skill level of their employees through training, the construction market also benefits by providing an entry point for new workers looking to join the industry,” said Tim Eldridge, Craft Training and Assessment Coordinator for SEAA and President of Education Services Unlimited. “All Things Metal is a great addition to SEAA’s Ironworker craft training effort. Jeremy Macliver and his team have done a great job planning, designing, and implementing what will soon become a model program.”

"With this grant we can have a greater impact on the number of Ironworkers trained than by awarding a single education scholarship to an individual," said Dave Schultz, a member of the Scholarship Committee.