JTI Administrator’s Report

Joint Training Institute Update

By Frank Miramontes, President, Local 18

First of all, I want to thank every hard-working IBEW Local 18 brother and sister who took the time to participate in the Multi-Phased Joint Training Institute (JTI) training-needs analysis. I, along with the rest of the Institute personnel, greatly value your input and appreciate the time you spent on this survey.

Our very comprehensive training-needs analysis was the first project of its kind to be conducted for Local 18-represented Department of Water & Power employees. Its purpose was to determine which job classifications had training needs, how to prioritize those training needs, and to provide JTI and its trustees with relevant information so that they can help design a comprehensive training strategy.

The Enhanced Training Opportunities Program (ETOP) and DecisionPoint (consultants to JTI) analyzed the findings and formulated a series of recommendations. Some of the key themes that surfaced included:

• More and better entry-level training (i.e., during pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeships)
• More training for experienced workers (i.e., journey level)
• Better supervisory training
• Skills for in-house training personnel
• Obtaining industry certifications
• DWP and regulatory operating/work procedures
• Computer skills and other technical-training needs

In addition, existing training infrastructure needs were identified:

• Tracking of training
• Training consistency and structure
• Access to training
• Effective training coordination
• Career-advancement guidance

In general, our members rightly expect the Joint Training Institute to champion training and to develop a culture for learning and the organization to support it.

Under the leadership of JTI Board Chair Brian D’Arcy, we will continue to work with the board of trustees in order to develop a strategic training plan that clearly maps out and prioritizes the course we must take. Implementation of the strategic training plan will not happen overnight, but I remain optimistic that through greater cooperation and collaboration—and by working with DWP business units, Corporate Training and Local 18’s membership—we will bring about effective training, and we will do it the right way.

In unity,

FRANK MIRAMONTES, President