Department of Education & Training

"A strong, informed, educated core of leaders and members for the future.”

 

The Department of Education & Training (DET) was established in 2001 to support employees and members of the UBC as they develop not "hard skills" for the trade, but “soft skills” for creating a better union—enhanced abilities in communication, management, leadership, public speaking, marketing, and more.

By developing and sustaining an integrated, union-wide learning system, the DET supports the UBC by aligning education, training, and development efforts with the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the Brotherhood. That learning system includes specific training tools and programs designed to improve both individual and organizational performance at every level.

The DET also provides technical assistance and internal consulting on education, training, and organizational development matters throughout the UBC.

“The UBC constantly strives to find new and better ways to serve our members and contractors. By creating and supporting a Department of Education & Training, we are building a tradition that parallels our high-quality craft training,” said DET Executive Director Randy Eppard, PhD. “We are building a strong, informed, educated core of leaders and members for the future.”
  

Further Information

To learn more about the UBC Department of Education and Training and the programs described below, contact 
Executive Director Randy Eppard, PhD, at 702-938-1111 or at DET_info@carpenters.org.

DET Programs


UBC Excellence:
This two and one-half day program gives Council and Training Fund Administrative Staff a chance to experience the International Training Center and bring their Customer Service skills to the next level. UBC Excellence is focused on developing an attitude of personal responsibility and service excellence that goes above and beyond customary practices.
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Collaborative Leadership: Building Jobsite Leaders
This program focuses on leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, coaching, and collaboration among the parties of a building project, such as the contractor, general contractor, project manager, facility manager and the owner.
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Delegates
This four-day program reinforces the leadership role that elected council delegates play in their locals, their councils, and in the greater UBC. Participants hone skills as communicators, advocates, mobilizers, coalition builders, and politically active union citizens.
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Third-year Apprentices
In these three-day sessions, seasoned apprentices gain a greater understanding of the Brotherhood and the construction industry, and of the role union members play in the success of both. Participants learn how professionalism, productivity, skill, and attitude contribute to their own success as well as that of their employers.
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New Staff Orientation
Often serving as a point of public contact, this program helps new regional council staff members to learn about the UBC vision for member and contractor service—and the important work needed to make that vision a reality.
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Communication Skills for Leaders
In their roles, staff and delegates must be able to effectively communicate with members, contractors, and their peers in council leadership.  This program examines participants’ individual communication styles, introduces the UBC Communication Model for more successful and productive interactions, and provides practice applying the guidelines and skills to real-life situations.
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Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
Whether addressing a small group of members or a large public gathering, this training helps staff and officers maximize their effectiveness when making presentations.
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UBC Leadership: Building Teams for a Stronger Future
Council personnel hone skills for representing members; they also learn about key principles introduced in the Journeymen, Mentoring, and 3rd Year Apprentice programs, helping them to reinforce those principles back home.
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UBC Journeymen: Building Leadership for a Strong Future
Journeymen develop leadership, mentoring, coaching, and communication skills, and learn to engage with newer members and lead by example, all while promoting positive work environments and productivity on the job.
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Marketing
Because the UBC seeks a true partnership with our signatory employers, it is crucial that council representatives understand and are able to address the many segments of the evolving construction industry. This course teaches participants to market to individual industry targets. Marketing principles are examined, including identifying the benefits of doing business with the UBC, developing responses to customer concerns, and making successful marketing calls and presentations.
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Working With the Media
This advanced program enables senior officers and staff to explore various types of media and their representatives, as well as how to effectively work with each to ensure that the UBC vision is represented clearly.


Instructor Development
To assure quality delivery of the UBC’s skills training curriculum, instructors are trained in the latest methodology of presenting the curriculum. This program focuses not on construction skills but on classroom management, presentation skills, effective communication with apprentices, and more.

Foreman Training
This special course provides leadership and management skills to complement the "hard" skills that foremen bring to the job.
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Custom Programs
The DET exists to serve the membership and advance the UBC's interests. That is why special, customized programs can also be developed to meet specific needs of all kinds. Advice and assistance are also provided to other UBC departments and to councils on the design and delivery of training for other organizational development activities.

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