As a part of National Apprenticeship Week, the Business Manager for the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, Dan Poteet, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the apprenticeship program impacts the ongoing and upcoming work in Local 50’s Central Ohio’s jurisdiction and despite record membership growth, Local 50 needs more members to fill the expected workload over the next 5 years.
Insulators Local 50 covers 33 counties in Ohio and two in Indiana with 218 members, the largest the local has ever been. Poteet has been Business Manager for nearly a decade, taking over in February 2014. There’s been no greater feeling for Poteet than ensuring his members get the benefits and wages they deserve. Poteet’s history with Local 50 extends back to his father and uncle, the first two people organized into the western half of Local 50’s jurisdiction.
Local 50’s apprenticeship program has seen the largest growth in its history, and it couldn’t be coming at a better time. With a positive work outlook extending over the next 5 years, Poteet is actively seeking new apprentices and experienced mechanical insulators to join the union to fill the growing need for properly trained mechanical insulators. Poteet explained the current recruiting and organizing efforts he is using to continue the record growth of the Local over the last four years.
The apprenticeship program for Local 50 is a 4-year program. The class covers commercial and industrial work, firestopping and supervision classrooms. The classes ensure that when the apprentices book out, they are ready to step onto the job as regular workers or even be able to lead a team. Many of those who come from the program are even opening their own shops, and Poteet shared one of the success stories in United Mechanical.
To learn more about Poteet and the work for Insulators Local 50, visit Insulators50.com.