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November-December 2015
IMCDOL
N.C. Department of Labor
Cherie Berry, Commissioner
www.nclabor.com
1-800-625-2267
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Buckner Dedicates Ironworker Training Center
By Neal
О
'Briant
Public Information Officer
Eddie Williams had a dream. As chairman of Buckner
Companies, he saw a need to train the next generation of
ironworkers. Unlike many people, though, when Eddie
Williams envisions a project, he follows through to make
sure it happens.
Around 45 years ago, Eddie Williams met with
leaders of four other steel erectors and a fabricator to
form an association for the Carolinas. He became the
first president of the Steel Erector’s Association of
the Carolinas. The organization eventually grew, with
members from other states wanting to join, until finally
emerging as a national organization known as the Steel
Erectors Association of America (SEAA) in 1 992.
On Oct. 26, 20 1 5, Buckner Companies held a topping
out celebration for its new Ironworker Training Tower at
the company’s headquarters near Graham. The training
tower will primarily be used by Buckner, but other
SEAA members will also able to use it.
‘This tower is a joint project between Buckner and
SEAA, and it will be available for any SEAA members
to come on a scheduled basis and train their people on
this tower,” Eddie Williams said. “Buckner and SEAA
have recognized that skilled craftspersons are aging out;
so we must make a real effort to attract and recruit young
apprentices to our trade.”
Doug Williams, Eddie’s son, now serves as president of Buckner Companies. He welcomed the attendees to the topping out celebration.
“Many people in our industry stew about the fact that new people are not joining our industry,” Doug Williams said, “but at Buckner
we are well on our way to breaking that trend. We are quite pleased with the progress we have made over the last five years at bringing
new, young, talented people ... to our company. In keeping with our mission statement and our economic and community cultures, we
have charted a course and achieved goals that ensure our destination . . . will attract, develop and train the ironworker generations ahead.”
One example of Buckner’s support for training future generations of ironworkers is its apprenticeship program. The three-year program
combines 6,000 on-the-job hours with 580 hours of classroom instruction to ensure that apprentices gain the skills and knowledge
necessary to succeed as craftworkers in the industry.
“The Buckner IronworkerTraining Tower adds an incredible hands-on teaching tool that will serve to benefit the Buckner Apprenticeship
Program and the development of a future generation of ironworkers,” said Kevin Leonard, Buckner training director.
While the training tower was Eddie Williams' dream, he had lots of help from friends in the industry to make it become reality. Jack
Metcalf and the John Metcalf Co. generously donated the detailing and provided shop and erection drawings.
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Carolina
donated the structural steel and fabrication. Vulcraft donated the joist and deck. Steel Fab of Virginia donated a beam and clips to support
welding and welder training.
Indusco and Hanes Supply provided various tools and rigging supplies. Steve McDaniels Engineering provided foundation engineering
and drawings. Romeo Guest Construction provided foundation construction and the installation of anchor bolts. Chandler Concrete
donated the concrete for the foundation.
Kevin Leonanl, Buckner training director, makes llte connection for the beam. In construction,
topping out ceremonies are held to celebrate the placement of the last beam atop a structure.
Traditionally, a small tree or leafy brunch is attached to the beam, and workers and dignitaries
sign the beam before it is put in place.
continued on page 3
