Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1954-01-09

DTOINeTHOOu VI carpenters and
Joiners participated in this meet
ing.
The Contracting Plasterers In
ternational Association, at it's an
nual convention in Denver, devoted
considerable time to discussion of
plans for lifting apprenticeship in
that industry to a new level. The
Operative Plasterers and Cement
Masons international Association
spotlighted apprenticeship at their
national convention in Seattle.
The pipe trades have likewise
taken positive steps to insure
strong and adequate apprenticeship
program. For example, the United
Association Of Journeymen and
Apprentice Of the Plumbing and
Pipe Fitting Industry now has two
men working in its national office
to promote apprenticeship activi-
ties within the industry. The Ma
tional Association of NJ as er
Plumbers and the Heating, Piping
and Air Conditioning Contractors
are promoting apprenticeship
through their journals, conventions
and a wide variety of other ac-
tivities.
The Brotherhood of Painters,
Decorators and Paperhangers of
America has assigned a full-time
man to promote apprenticeship
within that industry.
The Bricklayers International
Union is giving strong support to
apprenticeship activities in coop
Grafton with employer groups and
the Structural Clay Products In
stitute. Highlighting apprentice
ship activities of the bricklaying
trades was the recent national
bricklayer apprentices contest in
Minneapolis, at which the outstand-
ing bricklaying apprentice in the
United States was selected. This
contest was held in connection with
the Union Label Industries Show
of the American Federation of La
Dor.
Perhaps one OF the most out
standing evidences of true labor
management relations in the con-
struction field exists in the fine
work of the National Joint Sheet
Metal Apprenticeship Committee.
This committee, among its other
activities, has set up a contest for
the best and second best local Joint
sheet metal apprenticeship COM
mittee.
The National Roofing Joint APP
premiership Committee has also
been unusually active in promoting
apprenticeship activities within
that industry. This activity was
reflected in the recent national con-
vention of the Roofing Contractors
Association.
Despite excellent apprenticeship
planning on the part of national
contractors and labor unions, this
planning does not amount to al
great deal unless it is put into
practice by local groups. The key
to successful apprenticeship is
teamwork and concerted action "a
mong groups on the local level.
If local groups are interested and
active, the program will be sue
cess. Conversely, if they are in
different and inactive, the program
will reflect this attitude.
In some states it has been found
that state joint apprenticeship
committees in the construction in
dustry are serving worthwhile
purpose in coOrdinating efforts di-
rectcd at remedying soft spots and
in giving joint drive and direction
to the apprenticeship programs in
LnOSe states.
A significant development at
the national level is the improve
ment Of our ct-finding proccdur-
es relating to the development of
our skilled labor force
Through cooperative arrange
ments with the state apprentice
ship agencies, the Bureau IF APP
premiership is now able to provide
national labor and management
groups more comprehensive infor-
nation concerning the National
Apprenticeship Program than has
heretofore been possible.
Another notable development is
the marked increase in the practice
of horor.ng those apprentices who
complete their training. Compile
ton ceremonies, which present a
most effective public relations
method of acquainting the public
with the aims of apprenticeship
were held by a record number of
joint labor Encouragement commit
tees.
Every effort should be made by
those interested in apprenticeship