The Southwest Idaho Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee oversees the training programs in Local # 296. This committee consists of half-contractor representatives and half-union representatives. These people look out for what they think is the best direction to go with the training in the Local Union. They are over the apprentice program and deal with the concerns of the future training that our apprentices need. They are the ones who hired a training coordinator to keep up with the changing needs. This program is funded by the $0.42 per hour training fund, which is one of the benefits that are negotiated and voted upon by the members.

Local # 296 JATC spent over $150,000.00 last year in training; this included the apprenticeship program and journeyman upgrading classes. We had 70 apprentices attend 246 hours each of classroom training. Some of their classes included OSHA, Heritage, Science, Math, Rigging, Soldering and Brazing, Basic Electricity, ISO. Drawing, Water Supply, Drainage, Steam Systems, Hydronic Systems, Gas Installations, Medical Gas, Leadership, and Plumbing Code. Any journeymen who want to attend these classes are more than welcomed if there is room in the class. Also there have been over 18 upgrade classes held throughout the year. These classes are arranged on an as needed basis, which include Medical Gas, Boise City Gas Fitter License, Leadership, Swagelok Bending and Fitting Classes, Orbital Welding, First Aid / CPR and OSHA Classes. Also we have had 24 different welding certification sessions given this year. We have had over 233 of our members have attended these classes in the last year, this is impressive to show our contractors and customers how that we have ongoing training and that our members are the best trained in the area.