Richard Fullmer, apprenticeship and training director for the Associated General Contractors of Utah, was honored in July by the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College with a 2009 Partnership Award for his efforts in attracting new apprentices into OWATC’s program.
Fullmer specifically helped the college establish a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) apprenticeship program, the first of its kind in Utah for the AGC. There are currently 26 individuals in the HEO program, with another wave of apprentices slated to start next year, as well.
“The Partnership Award is a way to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to our program,” says Collette Mercier, president of OWATC. “This year Rich Fullmer was nominated from the AGC. He’s done a great job in setting up this apprenticeship program for heavy equipment operators. AGC has been very supportive over the years.”
“It’s the first time OWATC has had a heavy equipment operator apprenticeship, so it’s been gratifying to see the progress that’s been made,” says Fullmer. “It’s growing in part because of all the UDOT work in our state, along with stimulus funds for road projects. We’re excited to have 26 people in the program and look forward to having more apprentices come on board next year.”
“Richard has been an excellent liaison between the college and the area employers,” adds Mercier. “He goes out of his way to explain to them the benefits of provided training with the OWATC and has been instrumental in bringing the HEO program on campus.”
“Richard is doing a great job for us,” says AGC president/CEO Rich Thorn. “Overall, we’re making good progress with our apprenticeship and training program.”
Fullmer says that there are 105 apprentices working for various contractors in the state through the AGC’s program, including craft carpenters, heavy-civil carpenters, heavy equipment operators and laborers. A cement mason apprenticeship program is slated to begin in December.
AGC member companies who currently are participating in the apprenticeship training program include Okland Construction of Salt Lake, Jacobsen Construction of Salt Lake, Hogan & Associates of Centerville, Wadsworth Bros. Construction of Draper, Staker Parson Cos. of Ogden, Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction of Draper, Harper Contracting of Salt Lake, Sunroc of St. George, Burdick Paving of Salt Lake, Gerber Construction of Draper, Nielsen Construction in Huntington, Western Rock Products of St. George, Harper Concrete of South Jordan, and B Jackson Construction of West Jordan.
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