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50 years of exceptional instructor training was celebrated during UA week at Washtenaw Community College. There was amazing foresight shown by the leaders of the UA in the early 50's when they put together an educational program that would insure the Instructors of the United Association craftsman would be educated, not only in the ways of the trade, but just as importantly, in the best way to teach a student. The UA Instructor Training Program is designed
to teach apprentice instructors the latest product and industry
technology, which instructors can take to their local training
schools and pass alongto their students. The program also insures
that Instructors not only know what to teach, but how to teach
it. They are instructed on the most up-to-date methods in teaching
and helping students learn. 2003 was a record breaking year with: 1,888 in class, 250 instructors and 245 graduating. Participants came from all over the United States, Canada, and Panama. Office Professionals Seminar
UA Local 190 - Plumbers/Pipefitters/Service Technicians/Gas Distribution was honored when a member of their office staff had been asked to team teach during the Seminar. UA 190's Elaine Frye and Kathryn Jones from Washtenaw College added their expertise to the program. The courses which were offered cover Computer Training, Information on the Internet/Intranet, its use and benefits, a complete overview of the UA General Offices, and whom they can go to for help. There was a general session on the various forms that are used with the UA, information on Pension Plans, and an introduction to all the Departments of the UA. This sixth year had over 110 individuals in attendance, learning all they could to better do their jobs back home for the benefit of their memberships. Reception and Block Party A reception was held for General President Maddaloni at the Hands on Museum Monday night, followed by a Block Party on Main Street in Downtown Ann Arbor. As you can see, it included a Car Show and great fun!
Making instructors aware of the nature of sound skill lessons is a must. This class reviewed the elements of the teaching process; developing "skill" lesson plans, principles of presenting a skill demonstration; conducting practice sessions and included a workshop in planning and presenting a skill lesson. Soldering and Brazing This course is designed to teach how-to teach methods of soldering and brazing. Experts from the industry demonstrated the techniques and procedures successfully employed in teaching this subject.
Valves The purpose of this course was
to familiarize each student with valve designs, functions and
general applications. The materials of valve construction and
the specifications and standards governing their construction
and use was also discussed. Proper installation and maintenance
of valves was highlighted.
Backflow Prevention Certification
Mobile Training Unit
Welding Course Requirements
Oxy-acetylene Cutting and Welding is designed to teach oxyacetylene safety, cutting, welding and some layout and cutting procedures. Experts demonstrated the techniques and procedures employed in successfully teaching this subject.
GTAW-Wire Feed Machine Welding features the Liburdi/Dimetric Gold Trac 2 and Gold Trac 5 GTAW wire fed machine welding equipment. It provides the welder/operator a basic understanding of the orbital pipe welding process. The course introduces the theory of operation, technology comparison of analog and microprocessor-controlled systems, equipment set-up and safety issues. Additionally, the course covers process variables, system programmer control functions and weld parameter selection and development. Each welder/operator sets up and runs a three-pass weld test coupon with a root, fill and cover pass using the parameters that they have developed. Downhill Welding covered the
manual SWAC downhill welding technique. The welding instruction
was given on large diameter pipe. This class included joint
preparation, line up on coupons and hands-on welding. UA Dedication
The new $5 million training center on the campus
of Washtenaw Community College, will serve as the Great Lakes
regional hub for the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentice
of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States
and Canada, known as UA.
Left - R. to L. - UA General President
Maddaloni with US Congressman John Dingell L. to R. - Presenting the dedication plaque President Jim Davis and Secretary-Treasurer Ron House of the MI Pipe Trades Association, UA International Representative Tom McNamara, UA General President Martin Maddaloni, UA Director of Training George Bliss
L. to R. - UA International Representative Don House, who was instrumental in helping bring the UA to the Campus of WCC 14 years ago, speaking with Jim Davis Along with the dedication of the new center,
Dr. Daniel Kruger, former MSU L. to R. - UA Director of Training
George Bliss, Dr. Kruger's son and wife with Governor Granholm
and UA General President Martin Maddaloni. Below Right - L.
to R. Stacie Baldwin, AA Visitor's Bureau, UA 190 Business Manager
Ron House, and Elke Ferris, AA Visitor's Bureau.
The
following are candid shots
Graduation
Left - George Bliss, UA Director of Training, finishing graduation with a bullhorn - Center - two families enjoying the moment - Right - UA 190's Graduating Instructors - Randy Schnabelrauch and John Stalker
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Pictured
left - Greater Michigan UA 190 Training Program Instructors
opportunities
for UA training craftsmen and craftswomen are everywhere. In
order to meet the challenges our local training programs must
be able to adapt and reflect the demands of the workplace."
For
the sixth year a Seminar was held for the United Association
Office Professionals. The program is offered two days before
the Instructor Training Program begins.
Planning
and Presenting Skill Lessons
This
is a "hands-on" course. Each instructor had the opportunity
to try each method being discussed. The course covered the technical
as well as the practical aspects of "soft" soldering
with lead free solders. Base metals included, copper, brass,
steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
A
must for Instructors working with students for their UA S.T.A.R.
Certification, this course is intended to acquaint Instructors
and Coordinators with the basic concepts of Mechanical Equipment
Service Training courses for Journeyworkers and Apprentices.
This
course presents guidelines for acceptable practices for testing,
annual inspection, and repair of backflow 
prevention
assemblies used in cross-connection control programs. Course
material includes information needed for identifying cross-connections,
understanding how backflows occur and the dangers they present,
methods used to control backflows and the recommended applications
for each type of backflow assembly, laws and liability, and
hands-on testing and maintenance procedures for various assemblies.
Students who 
successfully
pass the voluntary certification exam administered at the conclusion
of the course will be certified as Backflow Prevention and Assembly
Testers and Instructors. Here the instructor shows a hot box
used to keep valves from freezing and protect them from vandalism.
These boxes are available from ½" all the way to
10" valve size.
The
mobile training units have become an important tool in the training
of the UA Instructor. 
It
is another way to enable Local Unions to share the training
they have developed. The sprinkler fitters demonstrate the use
of sprinklers by setting a fire in their Mobile Training Unit.
The
UA's Welder Certification Program has been growing at a rapid
rate. A number of facility owners view the weld certification
program as a valued, added commodity exclusively available through
our signatory contractors. It is vitally important that our
instructors pass these skills along to our apprentices and journeyworkers
that will prepare them for a bright future in our industry.
It is incumbent upon each of us to insure that we maintain our
level of training so that the UA continues to set the standard
for our industry.
here
are appropriate prerequisites for ALL manual arc-welding courses.
Students applying to take any welding courses must have passed
the applicable UA weld test during the twelve months preceding
the start of the UA Instructor Training Program. These are "how
to teach" courses designed for UA Weld Instructors who
will be instructing apprentices and journeyworkers in the techniques
of the processes. 
With
a rousing speech from Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm,
the United Association Great Lakes Regional Training Center
was dedicated during the 50th year of the UA Instructor Training
Program. For 14 years, thousands of pipefitters and plumbers
have been visiting metro Ann Arbor every summer for training,
injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.
L.
to R. - WCC President Larry Whitworth, Governor Jennifer Granholm
and UA General President Martin Maddaloni at the 
Pipe
Cutting Ceremony opening the new Great Lakes Regional Training
Center
L. to R. UA President Maddaloni, MI Representative Ruth
Ann Jamnick, Senator Liz Brater, Governor Granholm, WCC President
Larry Whitworth
Right
-UA Officials enjoying the accomplishment of another UA Regional
Training Center Opening
The
15,000-square-foot center will feature state-of-the-art teaching
and learning tools, including an auditorium-
style
distance learning classroom capable of broadcasting instructions
to about 180 UA sites; a 24-station computer classroom; two
general purpose demonstration classrooms; and two additional
classrooms.
"Distance
learning will be one of the dispensable parts. It will give
the center a connection with about 326,000 members at 321 UA
locals throughout North America and Panama," Ford said.
It will operate year round in addition to the week-long seminar
that the UA holds in August.
Professor
of Labor Studies, who recently passed away, was remembered and
honored during the presentation. Dan had become a staple of
UA functions, speaking at the UA Graduations, and working with
the UA Business Managers and Organizers during their national
training programs. Dr. Kruger will always be remembered by all
who came in contact with him, for the truly unique individual
he was. The UA was honored to have his wife and son accept the
presentation on his behalf.
During
the program the UA held an Industry Day Program. This gives
the UA and UA employing contractors the opportunity to showcase
the program with the users and owners who utilize our services.
