Hance Construction Partners with MBCEA on First Apprenticeship Program for the Metal Construction Industry

Program Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Emphasizes Safety, Quality

WASHINGTON, N.J. (May 2, 2011)– Hance Construction,an Authorized Butler Builder®, has partnered with the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association and its education affiliate, the Metal Buildings Institute, on the first federally-recognized apprenticeship program in the country devoted exclusively to the metal building industry. The apprenticeship for Assembler, Pre-Engineered Metal Building is officially registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.

 “Many states and projects require contractors to have an approved apprenticeship program in order to be considered or be qualified for the work,” said Arthur Hance, President of Hance Construction. “The federal government recognizes apprenticeship as the premier method of training the workforce and we did not have an apprenticeship for metal buildings until now. The apprenticeship program did critical time studies in terms of safety and best practices on various projects including a number of Hance Construction projects. It was an honor to really serve as one of the models for the important safety training segments of the apprenticeship.”

 In the three-year program, apprentices learn to:

•  Erect prefabricated metal buildings according to blueprint specifications and engineering drawings, using hand tools, power tools, and hoisting equipment;
•  Erect frame buildings using a hoist;
• Bolt steel frame members together;
• Attach bracing and insulating materials to framework;
• Screw corrugated sheet metal roof and siding panels to framework;
• Read blueprints to determine location of items such as doors, windows, ventilators, and skylights and install items using cutting torches, wrenches and power drills;
• Trim excess sheet metal using power saws, power shears and tin snips; and
• Install corner, gable, rake, door, window trims, gutters and downs spouts.

“Apprenticeship is recognized as the insurance a business needs, now more than ever, to ensure an ongoing stream of talent development that will maximize productivity, reduce turnover and increase levels of safety, which reduces workers compensation costs,” said Gary Smith, Founder and Past President of the MBCEA Mid-Atlantic Chapter. “On an individual level, I think it provides a great opportunity for a sharp young person with mechanical inclination to receive a comprehensive career training program. As for the big picture view, the MBCEA Apprenticeship Program will further elevate the safety standards and quality of the metal building industry.”

 The new program was unveiled at METALCON International, the industry’s leading professional conference. MBCEA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter has partnered with Burlington County College of Technology to provide the 288 hours of required classroom training for the apprenticeship program.

 “Since its launch of the apprenticeship program at METALCON, other organizations are now modeling similar training initiatives after the MBCEA program,” said Hance, President-Elect of the MBCEA Mid-Atlantic Chapter. “The apprenticeship program has been met with great enthusiasm nationally.”