b"PRESIDENT'S LETTER but all trades in general. I am con- classroom and training with hands-fident that this programproperlyonskillsdevelopment.However executedwill be a terrific benefitthoseprogramshavelimitedgeo-for the industry.graphicavailabilityandspecifi-As a member of NTCA, you havecallyrestrictasmuchas90%of virtually free access if you choosetheworkforcefromparticipating it. For a person joining the industry,(by some estimations). Why restrict thiscouldprovidemanyopportu- who can and cannot participate? nitieswithintheinstallationandTheNationalTileContractors alliedproductscommunity,notAssociation,truetoitsname,is solely skills and craft training.proudtorepresenttilecontractors, Any opportunity to support, train,alliedproductsandtilemanufac-andupliftthecraftspersonintheturers.Itsintentistoprovideser-pursuitofbetteringthemselves,viceandmemberbenefitsforthe theirskills,theirknowledge,andadvancementoftheindustryand theirunderstandingofthetrade,anyonewhoisinterestedinhigh-can only be viewed as a win-win.quality training and participation in The effort, the focus and the passionthe industry regardless of affiliation. many people gave to produce thisIt is not about an organization, entity programhavealwaysbeenaboutor political organization interested in providing greater opportunity to thesustaining an agenda, philosophy or craftworker and those interested inpoint of view. The NTCA Apprentice making our art their livelihood. Allprogramshouldproduceasolid apprentice programs require a long- professionalcraftspersonwhowill term commitment to be successful.have access to employment, quality Boththeapprenticeandsponsorcompensationandmultipleoppor-mustpaycloseattentiontoDOLtunities in any market. How could requirements.that be a bad thing? It is perplexing that anyone would notwelcomeaprogramthatis designed to draw new people intoChris Walkerthe construction industry by provid- NTCA PresidentinganopportunitytoparticipateVice President,inaskilledtradeforalifetime. David Allen CompanyThereareclaimsthatapprentice- Chairman, ANSI A-108ship programs like this or others notChairman, US TAG ISO TC-189administeredbytraditionallaborBoard of Directors ABC-VAorganizations threaten those estab- Voting Member TCNA Handbooklishedtrainingprograms.MostofVoting Memberthose programs do an excellent job NTCA Reference Manualat providing information both in thechriswalker@davidallen.com22TileLetter | September 2019"