Summer 2014 Training Connection 1 www.cmefhouston.

org
Knowledge Is
A Power Tool
Page 2
TRAINING
Connecti on
Summer 2014
Constructon and Maintenance Educaton Foundaton | 2950 East X Street, La Porte, TX 77571 | (281) 478-3900
www.cmefouston.org
Hands On
Experience at
Constructon
Careers Expo
Page 6
CMEF Graduates
44 Students
Page 3
Message From the Chairman
As my board colleagues and I refect over the last six months, one main
thought comes to mind evoluton. When I began the Chairman positon,
CMEF had some challenges and uncertaintes. I am pleased with the way
the Board of Directors, the interim Director of Educaton, Dr. Steve Horton,
the current Director of Educaton, Glen OMary, the CMEF staf, and all the
volunteers came together to keep the organizaton moving forward.
The hiring of a new Director of Educaton, Glen OMary, coupled with
realignment of CMEF and ABC has helped us further our goals and bring
some real value to those we serve. One of our biggest accomplishments
this year was the opening of a Performance Verifcaton Center (PVC).
The PVC fulflls a great need and meets the requirements of many plant
owners. Weve updated and rebranded the Training Contributor Agreement
(formerly known as COIPA), making it easier to navigate while also expanding
the agreements outreach to the Owner community, with the help of our
relatonship with HBR. Weve also launched Training Connecton, the quarterly newsleter Im using to
communicate with you today. Our social media platorms are actve and engaging, with new followers
and connectons each day (remember to fnd us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twiter!).
Most importantly, with the combined resources of CMEF and ABC, we are able to provide beter services
and training programs for the men and women who will be the future leaders of this industry. I was
reminded of the importance of recognizing the craf professional during the recent CMEF Graduaton.
The inspiratonal event served as a catalyst for contnued commitment to craf workersfrom both the
industry and owner community. The current workforce shortage is an obstacle that no one organizaton
can tackle alone, and fortunately we have some very strong allies. By partnering with like-minded
organizatons, such as the Houston Area Safety Council and the Houston Business Roundtable, and
increasing our community outreach through actvites with Deer Park and La Porte Chambers of
Commerce, Deer Park Citzen Advisory Commitee, Economic Alliance and La Porte Citzens Advisory
Council, we will impact the workforce shortage. One day, I would personally like to see a future
graduatng class that numbers in the hundreds, if not greater. To make that vision a reality it will require
greater partcipaton from todays industry leaders, contractors and owners alike.
To contnue evolving, we must band together, and remain steady and bold in pursuit of outlined goals.
My challenge to you is to get involved. Find some tme to give back to the industry that has given so
much to you. Be a commitee member, a board member, a mentor, an instructor whatever your
calling may be, we can fnd a place for you. Trust me, you will make an impact.
Phillip Morgan
CB&I
2014 CMEF Chairman
CMEF BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Phillip Morgan- Chairman
CB&I
Neil Adams - Chairman-Elect
Gilbane Company
Tim Ricketts - ABC Chairman
Channel BioRefinery & Terminals
Danny Donaldson -Treasurer/
Director-at-Large
Brock Services, LTD
Barry Babyak - Industrial Director
Austin Industrial
Rusty Barnhill - Past Chairman
Force Corporation
John Benson - HBR Representative
Eastman Chemicals
Russell Dodge - Director-at-Large
Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services
John Golashesky -ABC Director
Turner Industries Group, LLC
John Graham - HBR Representative
INEOS
Mike Gremillion - Director-at-Large
ISC Constructors, LLC
Mike Holland - Apprenticeship
Director
Marek Brothers Systems
Scott Lemoine - HBR Representative
LyondellBasell
Rod Molyneau - Industrial Director
JACOBS
Laura Price Gautreau -
Apprenticeship Director
Polk Mechanical
Mike Stilley - Industrial Director
S&B Engineers & Constructors
Randy Woods - Director-at-Large
KBR
MORGAN
Locals Win Big
at Natonal Craf
Championships
Page 4
2 Training Connection Summer 2014 www.cmefhouston.org
CMEF MISSION STATEMENT
To develop and administer cost effective training, skills assessment, and other
workforce development programs that will increase the quality and availability of
construction and maintenance employees, communicate career opportunities, promote
a positive image for the industry, and satisfy the needs of Owners, Contractors, and
their employees in the Greater Houston area.
Whats the most important tool available for a craf professional?
Knowledge. At least, it is for those in the constructon industry.
Michael Villar, CB&I Site Manager, has transformed into a powerful
tool for his company afer 14 years of consistent, individually-sought
training. At CB&I, Villar develops new policies, manages client
relatons, and ensures employee safety. But his day at the ofce now
is very diferent from his early beginnings.
I was actually hired right out of high school as a pipefter, Villar
said. I had no idea what I was getng intoI was going to be a
helper.
He had never intended on following a pipeftng career path. With
every intenton of atending Louisiana State University to study
mechanical engineering, Villars start as a pipefter began as a
summer job. The summer job just never ended.
I didnt really choose [constructon], I think it chose me. I like being
in the feld. I like learning. When I started looking into [training]
thats when I started looking at planning and scheduling. It put me
on the path, Villar said.
Looking back, he could not believe he had reached 20 years old
and never heard about becoming a pipefter, or even entering the
constructon industry in general. Its not just residental, he said.
This is a theme for Villars feld; managers struggle to hire trained
individuals simply because they are unaware of the career optons.
Since entering the industry, Villar said its getng beter, but the
message isnt hitng the right market needed to make the necessary
change.
The skilled crafs workforce is more diluted than it was 14 years
agoI think that needs to be talked about more in school levels.
And not just when we get employees into a constructon site and
then try to get them to go to training. I know thats something were
working on through [the Constructon & Maintenance Educaton
Foundaton], Villar said.
This led Villar to describe the actual workforce. Villar said he was
lucky to have had mentors to guide him down a successful path, a
path bearing enough fruit to provide for his growing family over the
past 14 years. The tool that helped provide? Training.
Villars career, if chronologically detailed, is a list of work and training
courses aligning with what Villar hoped to be the next step on his
career path. Knowledge is power, he repeated. As a manager, Villar
encourages all of his employees to seek out training to maintain a
safe working environment and progress in their own careers.
I take a lot of safety leadership [classes] now. Theres a lot of stuf
online. If you want that informaton, you can go out there and get it,
Villar said. Its out there. Its easy to get. Why not take advantage
of it?
Knowledge is power, so they say. But for Michael Villar, knowledge
has been the most powerful tool of his career, aiding him in his
climb up the ladder. His success shines a light on a path for the next
generaton of crafsmen and constructon professionals. He advises
future professionals in the feld to not only seek training, but to
always look to the future.
If youre willing to put in the efort, youll fnd someone to put the
same efort into youand take pride in helping you grow.
Knowledge Is A Power Tool
Summer 2014 Training Connection 3 www.cmefhouston.org
Constructon and Maintenance Educaton
Foundaton (CMEF) honored 44 graduates in
millwright, instrumentaton, pipeftng, industrial
paintng and sheet metal at a graduaton ceremony
on Thursday, June 5. More than 200 people, including
graduates, guests, instructors, and managers,
flled the banquet hall to applaud the graduates
accomplishments.

Anthony Mullings, an industrial paintng graduate, sat outside the
banquet hall with his wife, children and parents, waitng for the
event to begin. He said he did not know what to expect from the
graduaton, but was extremely happy to complete the class. Mullings
had sought out the class to beter himself in life.
Jairo Luna, also an industrial paintng graduate, said this class was
only the beginning of his training journey. I want to get into another
craf, Luna said. But I wanted to get the feeling of what it was like
going to school afer work.
Balancing tme is not a foreign struggle to this graduate class.
Many of them have jobs, families and personal lives to juggle while
studying. Luna said instructors do their best to be as fexible as
possible for their students.
Pipeftng instructor Pete Medina was one of the many teachers
in a room full of students, families and friends. Medina and his
fellow instructor George Vance joked that opportunites for the
craf professionals have improved so much, they might return to the
workforce. Joking aside, Medina said it was extremely gratfying to
see his students at the graduaton.
They have to want to be there in class, Medina explained. Its
hard for them to balance everything. Its nice to see the ones who
stayed be rewarded for their hard work.
The ceremony proceeded with speeches by constructon
professionals, many ofering advice and words of encouragement.
The podium and stage served as a place to honor growing
opportunity, and a place where industry ideas were shared. Guest
Speaker Pat Kiley of Kiley Advisors stood at the podium in front of
the graduates and ofered advice.
Every facet of constructon is on fre, Kiley began, reassuring
graduates in the career theyve chosen. And what an
accomplishment you have achieved...unlock a great life for yourself.
Going forward, Kiley listed four tasks to guarantee post-graduate
success: 1) show up for work on tme; 2) take pride in your craf; 3)
speak well of the company who writes your paycheck; and 4) learn
the constructon and maintenance business. These steps, he told
them, will help them excel in work and in life.
Scot Lemoine, Manager of Maintenance, Turnarounds & Capital
projects at LyondellBasell Houston Refnery, followed with remarks
for the graduates, statng that he too was once in their shoes. As a
graduate of the craf programs ofered at the ABC Pelican Chapter,
Mr. Lemoine worked his way up the skilled craf ranks to his current
positon with one of the largest refneries in the area. I stand before
you tonight as living proof of what your future can hold, he then
urged the graduates to never stop learning and aspiring to be the
best they can be.
Afer each name was called, each graduate was presented with a
certfcate of completon, each hand was shaken, and each picture
was taken, before graduates excitedly returned to their seats. There
were murmurs of congratulatons. There were fashes of light from
the many cameras in the crowd. There were whistles and cheers
from the family and friends atending. In those fnal moments of the
celebraton, the graduates were enthusiastcally recognized for their
accomplishments.
To all of our graduates, CMEF Director of Educaton Glen OMary
said, building up the tone in his voice, congratulatons!
CMEF Graduates
44 Students
From Program
4 Training Connection Summer 2014 www.cmefhouston.org
If you had 800 eyes closely watching you do what you do for
six hours, how would you perform? This was Natonal Craf
Championship Chairman Greg Sizemores way of describing
the ABC hosted Natonal Craf Championships intensity, rigor
and difculty. All in all, this competton is the triathlon for craf
professionals. Trainees from across the United States travel to
compete in electrical, carpentry, HVAC, plumbing and more! More
than 160 individuals competed in 13 diferent crafs at this years
competton in Birmingham, Alabama. The two-day challenge begins
with a writen exam on the frst day accountng for 25 percent of
their overall score, and then a 6-hour competency-based practcal
performance test on the second day accountng for 75 percent of
their overall score.
This is the Super Bowl of the craf training world, Sizemore
said. Contractors and training programs send compettors they
absolutely believe can hold their own and win.
Two Greater Houston locals walked away with medals at the 2014
Natonal Craf Championship. Houston Hall, with Zachry Industrial,
won a silver medal in structural welding; and Ross Capps, with JVIC,
a subsidiary of Zachry Industrial, was awarded the gold medal in
pipeftng. Both of these young men put in numerous hours of
studying and training prior to the event. Houston trained afer
work 2 days a week in our shop for multple months, Sizemore said.
And Ross put in a lot of tme and efort training while on the job.
On the day of the competton, contestants entered a lockdown
room for their writen examinaton. Afer everyone submited their
tests, all partcipants were hustled down to the foor where they
would be competng the following day.
At 8 a.m. on the second day, they compete side by side against
compettors in their craf, Sizemore said. The craf professionals
compete directly next to their fellow compettors with a crowd
and judges watching their every move for six hours. Hall and Capps
competed in front of friends and family as well as hundreds in the
audience. Sizemore described the tests intensity by reiteratng that
these trainees are the best in their class and must be able to handle
the pressure.
And the benefts of winning a competton like this are endless
for these trainees. First and foremost, there is a sense of pride in
accomplishment. They know they are one of the best of the best
in the industry [theyve] chosen. There has to be excitement,
Sizemore explained.
The companies and training programs that send these contestants
also receive some validaton in their training program. The Natonal
Craf Championships, afer all, is meant to display the credibility and
rigor of merit-shop training. Lastly, the compettors get to display
Two Local Crafts Professionals
Win Big At ABC National
Craft Championship
Houston Hall, with Zachry Industrial, is awarded a silver medal in structural
welding at the 2014 ABC Natonal Craf Championship.
Ross Capps, with JVIC, a subsidiary of Zachry Industrial, was awarded the gold
medal in pipeftng at the 2014 ABC Natonal Craf Championship.
CMEF MISSION STATEMENT
To develop and administer cost effective training, skills assessment, and other
workforce development programs that will increase the quality and availability of
construction and maintenance employees, communicate career opportunities, promote
a positive image for the industry, and satisfy the needs of Owners, Contractors, and
their employees in the Greater Houston area.
Summer 2014 Training Connection 5 www.cmefhouston.org
a high level of competency in front of their peers. When a difcult
project arises in the feld, leaders can depend on these winners to
handle the difculty and know they can perform under pressure.
But no one can leave out that there is also monetary incentve to
medaling at the Natonal Craf Championship. First place wins $750,
second wins $500, and third wins $350.
And it all paid of at the podium for Hall and Capps. As chairman
of the Natonal Craf Championship, Sizemore got the opportunity
to medal the local winners. He said that he couldnt speak to their
emotons, but they had a big smile on their face that you wouldnt
be able to wipe of with an Emory cloth.
They have that steel hanging around their neck, Sizemore began,
and the emoton those winners feel simply cannot be put into
words.
The next ABC Craf Championships will be held March 3-6,
2015 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To learn more about the Craf
Championships and how to partcipate contact the CMEF ofce at
281-478-3900.
Craf professionals from around the country compete directly
next to their fellow compettors with a crowd and judges watching
their every move for 6 hours.
6 Training Connection Summer 2014 www.cmefhouston.org
With the blastng sound of an air horn, approximately 360 high
school students moved from staton to staton to partcipate in
hands-on constructon demonstratons at the 2014 Constructon
Careers Expo on Thursday, May 1st.
The event hosted students from 20 Houston-Metropolitan Area high
schools who demonstrate interest in a career in the constructon
industry. Thirty-eight CTE teachers/administrators also atended to
connect with professionals and learn about current trends in the
industry. The Expo was held by Constructon and Maintenance
Educaton Foundaton (CMEF) and Associated Builders and
Contractors of Greater Houston (ABC).
Students enthusiastcally got to try their hand at pipeftng,
welding, scafolding, paintng, insulatng, drywall, carpentry, rigging,
instrumentaton, and electrical. They also had the opportunity
to operate crane and excavator simulators. All of these actvites
took place with an emphasis on the importance of safety in the
workplace. CMEF Schools Program Director Dr. Steven Horton said
students not only beneft from the hands-on demonstratons, but
also communicatng with the 35 respectve contractors, owners,
colleges, and suppliers who helped sponsor the event.
The students really enjoyed speaking one-on-one with the industry
professionals at the Career Informaton Booths where the volunteers
spoke about their respectve companies and the numerous
Constructon Industry career opportunites as well as having the
opportunity to see and partcipate in the hands-on actvites that
constructon professionals perform on a daily basis, Horton said.
Aaron, 18, wants to start his career in pipeftng afer graduatng
from Ross Sterling High School. He said most of his peers in his CTE
class were interested in a career that was discussed at the Expo.
I think this is very helpful, Aaron said. Its helping me fnd a job
that I am already interested in. I think we all found something that
we could do later on in life, afer college or high school.
Afer cutng tle, Alvin High School Student John, 17, said that he
liked the actvity, but he would have to brush up on his math skills.
Alvin High School CTE Teacher Sergio Cantu said the Expo gave his
students a look beyond the textbook.
The textbook only takes them so far. I can only teach them so much
in a classroom. Today, the students got to see and take part in what
they read about, Cantu said.
Each student had approximately 30 minutes at each staton, ample
tme to either practce their skills or discuss their career optons. One
of the statons was a full auditorium of vendors and professionals
ready to answer all of the students questons. From colleges to
companies, the students walked from booth to booth partcipatng
in the vendors actvites and informatve sessions.
No stone was lef unturned with the help of nearly 200 volunteers
who donated their resources, services and tme to make the Expo
happen. Horton said he wanted these students to walk away
knowing that constructon is a viable career opton for them. With
that, he thanked the volunteers, staf and students for taking part in
this important event.
Horton stated, I want to thank the CMEF Board Members for
supportng the event, all of the companies that partcipate in the
CMEF Training Contributor Agreement whose contributons helped
support the event, the companies that allowed their respectve
employees to partcipate, and each of the nearly 200 volunteers
who shared their tme and expertse to make a positve diference in
the lives of the close to 360 students and 38 school chaperons who
atended the 2014 Constructon Careers Expo.
Constructon Careers Expo students get real hands on experience as electricians
as they learn how to correctly - and safely - wire an electrical outlet.
High School Students Get
Hands On Experience At
Construction Careers Expo
CMEF MISSION STATEMENT
To develop and administer cost effective training, skills assessment, and other
workforce development programs that will increase the quality and availability of
construction and maintenance employees, communicate career opportunities, promote
a positive image for the industry, and satisfy the needs of Owners, Contractors, and
their employees in the Greater Houston area.
Summer 2014 Training Connection 7 www.cmefhouston.org
Its been touted many tmes that Constructon and Maintenance
Educaton Foundatons (CMEF) newly released Training Contributor
Agreement is saving contractors thousands of dollars on training
and educaton programs. But just how much are Contributors really
saving?
CMEFs Director of Educaton, Glen OMary, recently sat down and
put pen to paper to help illustrate potental savings that Training
Contributors receive as part of the program. We are asked this
a lot, and it is an excellent queston, says OMary. When I ran
the numbers with some of our partners, the results were simply
staggering. For craf training classes, conducted at our afliated
college campuses, our Level 2 Training Contributors are saving over
80% per semester class. The savings are even greater at 92% for
Level 1 Training Contributors, who pay only $50 per college course.
To further illustrate the savings for Training Contributors, OMary
developed a table of savings examples (seen to the right). Based
on one of the current Training Contributors training needs profle,
he discovered that this Contributor saved over $122,000 in training
costs as a Level 2 Contributor.
When asked the diference between the two levels of Training
Contributors, OMary explained, The Training Contributor
agreement is writen so that the partnering contractor can choose
to contribute $.06 per work hour worked at a jobsite based on
reimbursement status from the jobsite owner. Our Level 1 partners
pay the cents per work hour regardless of owner reimbursement.
The Level 2 partners pay cents per work hour only if the owner
reimburses the expense. When asked about owner support for
the Training Contributor program OMary stated, Owners too can
become a Training Contributor. The owner community is just as
invested in a safe, skilled, and trained workforce as we are. They
are very supportve of our initatves and I have been pleased with
the input and feedback we receive though our relatonship with the
Houston Business Roundtable (HBR).
In exchange for partcipaton in the program, Training Contributors
receive additonal benefts above and beyond reduced craf training
Non Training Contributor/Non ABC Member
Level 1 Training Contributor - 92% Savings
Level 2 Training Contributor - 84% Savings
classes. Training Contributors also receive extensive discounts on
Performance Verifcatons, NCCER Certfcatons (both writen and
practcal), as well as customizable training based on the contractors
unique needs.
To learn more about the Training Contributor Agreement, visit
www.cmefhouston.org or call Glen OMary at 281-478-3900.
New Training Contributor
Agreement Saves
Contractors Thousands
8 Training Connection Summer 2014 www.cmefhouston.org
Performance Verifcations
Starting in 2015 NCCER will require both a Performance and Written
Verifcation to be offcially certifed. CMEF is your one-stop-shop for
NCCER certifcation in one of the following crafts. All PVs are offered to
CMEF Training Contributors at a discounted rate, contact us to learn more.
Verifcations Offered:
Industrial Pipeftter
Industrial Boilermaker
Industrial Electrical
Instrument Fitter
Industrial Scaffold Builder
Industrial Insulator
Industrial Carpenter
Industrial Millwright
Reinforcement Steel & Rebar
Concrete Finisher
Heavy Equipment Operator
*
-
(Excavator, Backhoe, Dozer)
Not a Training Contributor?
Learn how to become one at
CMEFHouston.org and start saving
on your training needs today!
Training Contributor Price $95
Non-Training Contributor Price $190
*Pricing and scheduling for HEO varies, contact CMEF for more details.
Prices good through December 31, 2014
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
HOUSTON TX
PERMIT 542
2950 East X Street
La Porte, Texas 77571
(281)478-3900