Planning for the future – SSMRC leadership enhances skills through biennial Millwright and Piledriver Conference

After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millwright and piledriver contractors and business agents from across the US and Canada met up at the UBC International Training Center in Las Vegas for the biennial Millwright and Piledriver Leadership Conference. 

Throughout the course of the two-day conference, business agents from each district were given the opportunity to develop and improve relationships with partnering contractors and owners from their area. They were also able to work towards a common goal, to improve services throughout the different industries we work in.  

District breakout rooms were also utilized throughout the conference. During each breakout session, business agents and partnering contractors put their heads together to identify the strengths and weaknesses from their district, new ideas, and membership incentives.  

Executive Secretary- Treasurer’s from each district also spoke on their efforts to improve recruitment, retain membership, and grow market share. 

SSMRC EST, Wayne Jennings, took the podium in front of more than 500 individuals and detailed what the SSMRC is doing to recruit, retain, and grow market share. The SSMRC focuses heavily on partnering with schools, utilizing the Military Veterans Program (MVP), grow a diverse membership by recruiting more women into the trade through Sisters in the Brotherhood, and utilizing industry events to showcase how individuals can have a dept free career through various programs offered throughout the UBC. 

Owners from General Motors, Ford, Kiewit, Offshore Wind, APM, and many other contractors also took the podium to speak about product innovation and plans to expand their operations.

“The 2023 MW/PD Conference was the best one to date in my opinion,” SSMRC Executive Secretary- Treasurer, Wayne Jennings said. “We had great speakers, and I felt the interaction between labor and management was better than ever. It is a true testament that when we work together, we move in the right direction to services our industry’s needs. Together, we bring collective value. We had UBC leadership, partnering contractors, and owner representation all in the same location networking to improve. That is what true partnerships look like. Safe, productive, professionals working together to improve.”

To take the next steps in becoming a union millwright, click here.