--- title: 19 ICP Graduates to Help Shape the Next Generation of Craftworkers description: 19 BAC members who graduated in 2026 from ICP, a 200-hour, five-year certification aimed at turning skilled craftworkers into certified instructors. image: https://info.imiweb.org/hubfs/Image.jpeg --- [![IMI\_logo\_primary\_forweb\_ret\_400](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400.png?width=174&height=34&name=IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400.png)](https://www.imiweb.org/) - BUILDING SOLUTIONS - SOLUTIONS - [New Construction](https://www.imiweb.org/new-construction/) - [Restoration](https://www.imiweb.org/restoration/) - NEW CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLIES - [Brick](https://www.imiweb.org/new-brick-construction/) - [Concrete](https://www.imiweb.org/new-concrete-construction/) - [Concrete Masonry Units](https://www.imiweb.org/new-concrete-masonry-construction/) - [Plaster, Stucco, & EIFS](https://www.imiweb.org/new-plaster-stucco-eifs-construction/) - [Rainscreen](https://www.imiweb.org/new-rainscreen-construction/) - 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It Depends on the Trade](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/mortar-or-grout-it-depends-on-the-trade) # 19 ICP Graduates to Help Shape the Next Generation of Craftworkers Nineteen new graduates of IMI/IMTEF’s Instructor Certification Program (ICP) are ready to train the next generation of BAC craftworkers.  2026 graduate Paul Silva entered his first year of ICP with equal parts curiosity, optimism, and motivation. “I had been working in the trade and in training environments for almost 20 years, and while I believed I could be a capable instructor, I also understood that teaching effectively requires more than technical skills alone,” Silva, of BAC Local 1 New York, wrote in a reflection piece looking back on his time with ICP. And now, Silva said the program has made him a confident, self-aware instructor. He is one of 19 BAC members who graduated in 2026 from ICP, a 200-hour, five-year certification aimed at turning skilled craftworkers into certified instructors. A mix of immersive classroom lessons and hands-on learning, students complete a capstone portfolio that showcases their abilities to design, develop, and deliver effective training. Graduates were honored at a ceremony in October in Maryland, alongside IMI/IMTEF leadership and first-year ICP students. Caryn Halifax, IMI president, told the graduates that they are the face of IMI, IMTEF, and the BAC. ![2026 ICP graduation ceremony](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20ICP%20graduation%20ceremony.jpg?width=1026&height=538&name=2026%20ICP%20graduation%20ceremony.jpg) “It is such a huge role that you are playing, because you are the connection that a lot of members have to all of these various organizations,” Halifax said. “We are very grateful to the hard work that you are putting in, especially once you get back home.” Anthony DiPerna, IMTEF National Director of Apprenticeship and Training, said training programs are the key to the BAC’s future growth. “When somebody comes to the apprentice program, and they spend that time with us, they stay with us for the long haul, all the way until retirement,” DiPerna said. “And we are the stepping stone to middle class America.” Rebecca Nohava, of BAC Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota, became the third woman to graduate from ICP since it began in 1985. It’s a milestone that carries a great deal of significance for her. “It speaks to how the industry is changing, to the path that brought me here, and to the women who will follow,” she wrote in her reflection. “Being the only woman in a room full of men could have been isolating, but instead I felt respected and treated as a peer from the beginning.” *In the following reflections, ICP graduates shared how the program has helped them grow as instructors and mentors for the next generation of BAC craftworkers.* ### **Reflections from the 2026 Class of the Instructor Certification Program** ### *Raising the Standard* ![Alejandro Mozqueda-Cimental](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Alejandro%20Mozqueda-Cimental.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Alejandro%20Mozqueda-Cimental.jpeg)“As I contemplate the end of this phase of my life, I often reflect on how I learned, how I teach, and what it means to be a certified IMI instructor. First, it is a tremendous professional upgrade. Second, it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this formidable group. Finally, it places upon me the obligation to raise the standard.” -**Alejandro Mozqueda, BAC Local 13 Nevada, Brick instructor**   **![Kenneth Dodd](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Kenneth%20Dodd.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Kenneth%20Dodd.jpeg)**“Through the program, I improved my skills in lesson planning, communication, instructional methods, and classroom management. These skills will help me deliver training more clearly and effectively while maintaining the high standards of our apprenticeship program.” -**Kenneth Dodd, BAC Local 4 Indiana-Kentucky, Brick instructor**   ![Eric Kent](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Eric%20Kent.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Eric%20Kent.jpeg)“There is real gratitude for the people who built this program and for the staff who keep it running. They created a place where tradespeople can come, be pushed, be supported, and be reminded that there is always another level to reach.” -**Eric Kent, BAC Local 1 Washington and Alaska, Brick instructor**   ![Nicholas Radtke](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Nicholas%20Radtke.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Nicholas%20Radtke.jpeg) “ICP showed me that teaching not just showing how to hold a trowel. There is always room for progress and lifelong learning.” -**Nicholas Radtke, BAC Local 3 Minnesota-North Dakota, Brick coordinator**   ### *Developing Teaching Skills* ![Andrew Buschmann](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Andrew%20Buschmann.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Andrew%20Buschmann.jpeg)“ICP has helped me develop the classroom skills I need. It’s an honor to be a part of the 2026 graduating class.” -**Andy Buschmann, BAC Local 5 Wisconsin, Tile instructor**     ![Burton Rife](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Burton%20Rife.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Burton%20Rife.jpeg)“One of the biggest things that happened during the program was learning how to build effective lesson plans. I learned how to write clear objectives, organize instruction, develop performance checklists, and evaluate whether students had actually learned the material.” -**Burton Rife, BAC Local 15 Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska, Job Corps instructor, Brick**   ![Thomas Stanley](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Thomas%20Stanley.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Thomas%20Stanley.jpeg)“Learning these skills has made me more confident to teach subjects I would not have been comfortable teaching prior to all of our classes, but now I know how to prepare and organize and what material I should use for any class.” -**Thomas Stanley, BAC Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware, Brick instructor**     ![Paul Silva](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Paul%20Silva.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Paul%20Silva.jpeg)“Professionally, it elevated my identity from someone who teaches based on experience to an educator who teaches with intention, structure, and accountability.” -**Paul Silva, BAC Local 1 New York, Safety director/instructor, PCC**   ### *Gaining Confidence* ![David Palo](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/David%20Palo.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=David%20Palo.jpeg)“The program has helped me in so many ways already. It has given me confidence in myself. Without that, none of the other stuff would have gotten off the ground.” -**David Palo, BAC Local 2 Michigan, Brick and PCC instructor**     ![Henry Tinch](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Henry%20Tinch.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Henry%20Tinch.jpeg)“I just want to say thank you to the IMI family for giving me a chance to be an instructor. We’ve all learned a lot from each other.” -**Henry Tinch, BAC Local 8 Southeast, Job Corps instructor, Brick**     ![Kevin Rice](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Kevin%20Rice.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Kevin%20Rice.jpeg)“The biggest impact I felt from mentoring during my first year was my public speaking. Over time, you get better and more comfortable with standing up in front of people and that alone is great for your confidence.” -**Kevin Rice, BAC Local 1 New York, Brick instructor**     ![Salvador Diaz](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Salvador%20Diaz.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Salvador%20Diaz.jpeg)“Looking back on my four years with ICP, I see the tremendous progress I have made. I have become a confident instructor who plans lessons, fosters inclusion, and builds lasting relationships.” -**Salvador Diaz, BAC ADC 1 of Illinois, Terrazzo instructor**   ### *Forming Relationships* ![Nathan Nestor](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Nathan%20Nestor.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Nathan%20Nestor.jpeg)“The relationships formed, the experiences shared, and the lessons learned have all contributed to making ICP one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my career. The pride I take knowing that we completed this together is something that I will be forever grateful for and I can confidently say you are all my brothers and sisters for life and we have a bonding experience no one will ever take away from us.” -**Nate Nestor, BAC Local 2 Michigan, Training director**   ![Robert Miller](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Robert%20Miller.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Robert%20Miller.jpeg)“I have had the privilege to get to know and interact with people that are the best hands in the business. We have created lifelong relationships, and I am confident many of us will stay in touch over the coming years.” -**Robert Miller, BAC Local 3 California, Brick instructor**     ![Rufano Hartley](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rufano%20Hartley.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Rufano%20Hartley.jpeg)“One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was the opportunity to interact with fellow instructors outside of the program. Staying on campus gave us time to build relationships that extended beyond the coursework. Those informal conversations often provided just as much value as the classroom instruction itself.” -**Rufano Hartley, BAC Local 4 New Jersey, Brick instructor**   ### *Supporting Apprentices* ![Rebecca Nohava](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rebecca%20Nohava.jpeg?width=123&height=104&name=Rebecca%20Nohava.jpeg)“My hope is to use my position to open doors in the ways that I can, to advocate for apprentices, and to help create an environment where every person—regardless of background—feels they can belong and can succeed in this trade.” -**Rebecca Nohava,  BAC Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota, Recruiting and creative logistics**   ![Michael Spatz](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Michael%20Spatz.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Michael%20Spatz.jpeg)“The program helped me become a better instructor, a better mentor, and a better leader. Most importantly, it reinforced my commitment to helping apprentices succeed.” -**Michael Spatz, BAC ADC 1 of Illinois, Tile coordinator**     ### *Achieving a Career Milestone* ![Marc Blackledge](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Marc%20Blackledge.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=Marc%20Blackledge.jpeg)“I know the things I have learned through ICP will continue to help me throughout my career, whether I am working directly with apprentices, supporting instructors, or helping guide our program in the future. It has been a rewarding journey.” -**Marc Blackledge, BAC Local 4 California, Training director, Tile**   ![John Walker](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/John%20Walker.jpeg?width=123&height=119&name=John%20Walker.jpeg)“Taking part in the program has changed me. I know I am a better person than before I entered the classroom. 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