Testimonials

“I’m new to ICD, but I’ll tell you when you look at the cost of education and the benefit, it’s so valuable. I wish I took advantage of it 10 years ago. Now I see what you can get out of it.”

“What is Masterclass? It’s an on-line learning platform that members can use through their ICD benefit. It’s important to the ICD program because it gives you a brief lesson, in many different learning avenues, taught by a master.

“Coach K teaches value-driven leadership. Wayne Gretzky’s classes revolve around the athlete’s mindset. Courses are 2-5 hours-long on average, prerecorded video lessons by your instructor. Masterclass allows you to continue to learn at your own pace in many different courses at a reasonable cost.”

"Education is one of the things no one can take away from you. Using ICD has been such a grateful opportunity to open doors. The mill is a great place to work, but thanks to the USW (ICD benefit) I'm able to supplement my income and potentially set my family up for success while retiring early."

"I heard about ICD and how they covered tuition reimbursement. I said, 'Sign me up.' Without the ICD training, the resources, the possibilities, none of this would have happened like it happened." 

"It took me 12 years, a class here and a class there, but I've got it. They can't take it away. I think for me, even though it wasn't my money, once I start something, I'm finishing it. Even as a young child, I have to see things to completion. That's just always been my mantra - you start something you finish it."

“I can’t tell you enough about what a wonderful program ICD is. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if it wasn’t for the knowledge I acquired through the benefit.

“I think a lot of people lose sight of the fact they can make money outside of their jobs and be productive. This was supposed to be a hobby and something fun for me to do, but I’ve made this work for me and my family.”

"I have utilized the ICD benefit by means of taking customized classes at our center, continuing education courses (low-pressure boiler operator licensure), using the shops, and tuition reimbursement."

"The ICD benefit was a real game-changer because I could finish with no debt for my degree. If nothing else I feel as though my time was a good investment just to show my kids what hard work and dedication produce. I'm not too positive that I will use my degree in any real fashion, but at the end of the day I have earned it and own it."

“We actually did something with the ICD benefit that I believe is what it’s all about – a career development course to better our lives and careers.

“The bottom line is the ICD benefit made this possible, and that’s why we negotiated the benefit and that’s what it’s for. It’s such a great program for the Steelworkers.”

“ICD has been a life changer for me, and I mean that wholeheartedly. I initially started out with a beginner’s wood-working class with aspirations of fulfilling my wife’s Pinterest addiction. But it grew from there. I saw how much things were costing. Items my wife and I would normally buy, I decided to make. It got to the point where it wasn’t just about saving money, but the satisfaction to saying, ‘I made that!’ With each wood-working class I took through ICD the more confident I got.”

“I just love the ICD program. I utilized the program from the get-go. From cooking to finance classes, I even learned bike maintenance and sign language. I even completed seven Spanish tutoring sessions with Rosetta Stone using my ICD benefit.”

“Most places don’t offer anything like ICD. I tell everybody in the plant, ‘I know you have families and your lives are busy, but it’s a great benefit. Just take a class and if you don’t like it, don’t come back. But you might also get the bug like I did.’”

“I couldn’t have done it without funds from the ICD program. The funds allowed me to finish college and earn my bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management.”

"I heard about the ICD program at my new employee orientation at U.S. Steel. I lived 75 miles from work, 1 hour and 25 minutes one way. There were days I went to class on my day off, which meant driving 3 hours for a 2-hour class, but I kept telling myself it'll be worth it. The computer courses helped me get through my classes and eventually pass the maintenance tests.

"Because of ICD helping me get into maintenance, when U.S. Steel eliminated my department, I had a job before I got laid off. It was well worth the time and effort. I'm now a maintenance tech at B.F. Goodrich in Tuscaloosa, Alabama."

“I knew the ICD benefit was negotiated so I took advantage of it. This was a huge help with no student loans. You never know in the mining industry what’s going to happen. You need to have a backup plan.

"This wasn’t just for me, but also for my parents because I wanted to be the first person in my family to get my bachelor’s degree. Now it’s unreal knowing I also have my master’s degree, too.”

“Honestly, ICD means success to me. I went through the Ramsey program for MTE and became an electrician, which was my long-term plan. I also took HVAC classes and used that knowledge to bid for another job at our plant. The opportunities are endless with the ICD benefit.”

“The ICD program was a brilliant idea. I know it provided a great opportunity for me to pursue something I wanted to do.

"You can’t get stuck to one thing, and in today’s world, you have to educate yourself a little bit. Why not educate yourself in something you’re passionate about?

“I honestly needed another direction in my life. ICD provided that for me. I pursued a life’s passion and started up my own profitable business.”

“It’s a great program. I’m glad it’s there for you, especially when you need it.

“Times are tough for a lot of people right now and this (program) gives you some hope.”

“I think the ICD Learning Center is the perfect place for an associate to continue their education with no cost to themselves. I always believe a happy employee is a more productive employee: the more you know, the further you grow, and the further you’ll go.”

“With advancements in technology, not only for use in everyday life but also in manufacturing it is vitally important to stay ahead of the game.  ICD has given our employees the tools and funding to continually enhance their skill set at their own pace and at times that work with in their schedule.  Furthermore, ICD has also been a great opportunity for the company and union to work collaboratively in creating courses that meet the needs of our students and our company.”

“It’s been a huge benefit. It has given a ton of our Gadsden (Ala.) members a chance to go to school, get degrees and go on to do other things. The skills you learn can’t be taken away from us, like the closing of the plant. That’s why ICD was started to help the members in times of need. It’s given our members something to turn to in desperate times.”