AMBA continues to be focused on supporting Metal Building Erectors and filling seats in the Ironworker (MBSE) Education Program. The AMBA membership pays for itself when members send their employees for Ironworker MBSE training at NAIT or SAIT. AMBA has increased each of the 1st and 2nd-year awards to $1,500 – these awards are presented to the applicants achieving top marks in year 1 or 2. Additionally, there is a $750 bursary available for any AMBA member employee attending 1st-year or 2nd-year MBSE training. If you know of Erectors that are not currently part of AMBA, please share this message. As MBSEs retire, we need to ensure that we have a pipeline of well-trained erectors.

Cody Bexson, Greg Dellezay, and I are currently serving on the Trades and Apprenticeship Community of Expertise (TACE) committee to provide input and ensure we are knowledgeable about any changes to the training or the MBSE trade regulations. The feedback we have heard is that the Training providers at NAIT are concerned with the lack of apprentices attending the Ironworker trade. If we do not start sending more people for training, NAIT and SAIT may reduce the number of classes, which would make it more difficult to find openings for worker training. NAIT and SAIT are also looking at ways to make it easier for people that live outside Calgary and Edmonton to attend training. If more of the training can be completed online, workers can do the majority of the MBSE program from their homes and only have to travel to Calgary and Edmonton for a couple of weeks for the hands-on portion of the training and exams.

AMBA is looking forward to honouring our MBSEs and interacting with new members at our Annual General meeting on April 19th, 2023. Your feedback on how we can improve and support our members and erectors is essential for the future of our industry!