IUOE Local 18 Invests in CCO Certification

September 2008 - International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18’s brand new Miamisburg, OH training center opened its doors earlier this year to the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) when it played host to NCCCO’s Spring Commission and Committee meetings. 

NCCCO Commissioners gathered at IUOE Local 18's Miamisburg

newly expanded training center in April for their spring 2008 meeting.

The week-long event, held in April, comprised meetings of NCCCO’s exam management committees that provide oversight for its three CCO crane operator certification programs (mobile, tower and overhead cranes).  In addition, NCCCO’s Signalperson Task Force met for a special session to fine tune the computer-based practical exam for this new program, set for October release. 

Speaking at a special banquet on the evening before the main Commissioners meeting, Ohio Operating Engineers’ Administrative Manager, Donald R. Black, noted that since Local 18 had endorsed the CCO certification program, more than 10,300 CCO written and practical exams had been administered to apprentice and journeyman candidates.  More than 1,700 Local 18 members currently hold CCO certification in one or more crane categories, he said. 

Donald R. Black, Ohio Operating Engineers' Apprenticeship Administrative Manager, is pictured (center) with, from left, Dave Judy, Instructor, Richfield Training Center; Kerry Hulse, NCCCO Commission Chairman; Don Frantz, Regional Coordinator, Cygnet Training Center, and Graham Brent, NCCCO Executive Director.

“Together with the training provided at Miamisburg and our three other Ohio training centers, this represents an investment of more than $2.75 million,” said Black.  Some 400 apprentices are currently enrolled in Local 18’s program, whose Apprenticeship and Training Fund provided more than 157,000 training hours in 2007 alone, Black noted.