SAN DIEGO, CA Citing training as an investment in the future successes of the Iron Workers in North America, the California Field Ironworkers Training Trust leaders cut the ribbon on a new, $5.5 million apprenticeship training center in San Diego, California. The Training Trust, also known as the "University of Iron," is the training and apprenticeship program for Iron Workers Local 229 (San Diego), and has other training centers located in Sacramento, California, and Reno, Nevada, (Local 118); Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, (Locals 416 and 433); Phoenix, Arizona, (Local 75); Fresno, California, (Local 155); Benicia, California, (Local 377) San Francisco, California, and Oakland, California, (Local 378).

Elected officials, contractors and Iron Workers representatives were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This marked the completion of the University of Iron's 10,000-square-foot facility on Beech Street. In attendance were Mayor Mary Salas of Chula Vista; Mayor Jim Woods of Oceanside; Mayor Ron Morrison of National City; Mayor Kevin Falconer of San Diego; Council member Ester Sanchez of Oceanside; Council members Todd Gloria, Myrtle Cole and Marty Emerald of San Diego; Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego; California State Assembly Speaker Toni Akins; California State Senator Benjamin Hueso; County Board of Supervisors members Ron Robertson and Greg Cox; representatives for California State Senator Marty Block; and a representative for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer.

Representatives from International Iron, Anning and Johnson, Quality Reinforcing and CMC Reinforcing were also in attendance.

The state-of-the-art facility, which replaces the existing San Diego facility, reflects the devotion that the Ironworkers Union and its signatory contractors have always had towards producing and delivering the hardest-working, best-trained workers.

The new training center boosts the University of Iron's apprenticeship program, adding an impressive 26 welding booths and 3 large, state-of-the-art classrooms. The California Field Ironworkers Training Trust purchased the building and renovated it into a brand new training center for apprentice and journeyman ironworkers.

Iron Workers District Council of the state of California and Vicinity President Don Zampa praised the program's commitment to providing a path for people to rise to the middle class through the Iron Workers' apprenticeship.

"People want to be able to provide for their loved ones," Zampa said. "We offer a real opportunity for hardworking people to do that. This investment in the training center shows we really believe in that mission and what we're doing over here."

The University of Iron and the Iron Workers District Council of the State of California and Vicinity represent 3,000 apprentices and 19,500 journeymen ironworkers in California, Arizona, and Nevada.