International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 1175 is continuing its workforce-development efforts in South Florida through recruitment, safety instruction, and skills training involving union members and employees of the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC).
The latest activity included an MBCC hiring event and OSHA 10 training held Aug. 5 and 6 at MBCC. The hiring event was organized to recruit employees and members from the local community. MBCC estimated that more than 200 people attended the event.
Training in Action
The OSHA 10 course was completed by nine Local 1175 members and 12 MBCC employees, for a total of 21 participants. South Florida Training Coordinator Elizabeth Zambrano and instructor Gary Corr, both Local 1175 members, led the training.
Participants who completed the course became eligible to receive OSHA 10 certification cards, according to Chris Pascal, director of training for IUPAT District Council 78. Pascal says the course fits into a larger training structure for Local 1175 tradeshow workers.
“The 1175 Tradeshow apprentices complete a comprehensive three-year program where they develop the skills needed to succeed in the industry, including health and safety practices, leadership development, exhibit and display installation, floor covering techniques, freight handling, and material handling,” Pascal says.
Journey workers also take part in ongoing safety and skills training designed to keep their skills current and support a safe and productive work environment, according to Pascal.
Zambrano has more than 15 years of industry experience and has served as South Florida training coordinator for the past two years.
Boom Lift and Scissor Lift training also followed the OSHA 10 course, according to Richard “Richie” Jones, business manager and secretary-treasurer of IUPAT District Council 78.
“This partnership between the facility, contractors, and Local Union 1175 continues to help keep South Florida a leading hub for events,” Jones says.
Building the Workforce
The current activity builds on workforce-development efforts already underway in Miami Beach. Earlier efforts included SkillBuild at the Beach, which brought union members, tradeshow contractors, and venue representatives together for hands-on instruction in floor marking, carpet, pipe and drape, bematrix, material handling, safety, and customer service.
Jones says District Council 78 is focused on recruitment and training as the industry prepares for future labor needs.
“With increased work opportunities on the horizon and an aging workforce, our focus remains on attracting new talent, developing apprentices, and delivering ongoing training that supports safety, productivity, and long-term career growth,” Jones says.
Juan Carlos Garcia, emeritus business representative for Local 1175, says the hiring event and joint OSHA 10 training are part of the union’s continuing workforce-development efforts.
The Aug. 5 and 6 activities brought recruitment and training together at the convention center, with Local 1175 members and MBCC employees participating in the same OSHA 10 program. Combined with apprenticeship instruction, journey-worker training, and follow-up lift training, the effort reflects an ongoing focus on building and maintaining the South Florida tradeshow workforce.
Founded in 1887, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades represents workers across painting, glazing, floor covering, finishing, and related trades in the United States and Canada. For more info, visit www.iupat.org.
This story originally appeared in the Q4 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 76. For original layout, see Print Version
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