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44th Annual UA Instructor Training Program In August the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry (UA) returned to Michigan for the 44th Annual UA Instructor Training Program.
One thing that hasn't changed is the efficiency of the UA Instructor Training Program. Under the direction of General President Maddaloni and new UA Director of Training George Bliss, (pictured below, right) the UA came to town for its 44th Annual UA Instructor Training Program with the precision of a well-oiled machine and had a tremendously successful year.
UA Registration - The Week Begins
After seven years at the neighborly WCC Campus, and with so many of the students on return visits, getting the feel of the area once again doesn't take too long In record time they are acclimated with the area and are ready to begin their instruction.
After the UA registers Instructors, the Washtenaw County Joint Training Committee (Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association and UA Local 190) distribute book bags along with the Visitor questions they have about lodging, restaurants, etc. Registration is also a great day to renew old acquaintances with Instructors from different parts of the country. Along with the students, their families and friends get together and visit, catching up on lost time.
Welcome UA ! The Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Visitor's Bureaus sponsored a "Welcome to Ann Arbor" party on Monday. The gives no t only the Bureau's, but our local elected officials the opportunity to say " Thank You to the UA" and let them know how happy we are to have them here.
Welding In an effort to provide the very best craftsmen, the UA has extensive Welding Classes during UA week. The safety of the public depends on reliable installations. One of the best ways to insure that is to have qualified welders doing the work.
Tri-Partite Welding Committee The United Association, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB) have formed a Tripartite Committee charged with the development of a uniform Welder Certification for the Mechanical Piping Industry. UA General President Martin J. Maddaloni, MCAA President Wayne T. Day, and NCPWB Chairman Robert Waddy agreed that a harmonious relationship between the three respective groups would be beneficial to all concerned parties. In an effort to advance that goal, the UA held a special meeting to review, in detail, the workings of the UA Welder Certification Program as it relates to the Tri-Partitie Committee. Held on Saturday, during registration, representatives from all over the country were in attendance to be updated on the program.
Medical
Gas Installations . . .
These systems are not used just in operating rooms. They are found in hospitals, doctors' offices, dentists' offices, outpatient clinics and nursing homes - and every day thousands of lives depend on their proper operation. That is why the UA trains their medical gas piping installers to be experienced craftsmen with proper education and training programs.
UA Industry Day The
year the UA sponsored an Industry Day giving Owners, Contractors
and other interested parties the opportunity to review the school.
Welcomed by UA General President Maddaloni, those present learned
of the UA's commitment to raining and the directions it will
be taking in the upcoming years before starting out on a tour
of the Campus. Scences At UA Week
Graduation For UA Instructors
The UA Graduation is a ceremony that has no rivals. The enthusiasm at he event is tremendous, with the pride in their accomplishments extending not only to their own families, but also to their UA families. This year 129 Instructors received their diplomas designating them as: Certified Instructor of Journeymen and Apprentices.
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number of changes were evident this eighth year of the UA being
in Michigan. Martin J Maddaloni, the new General President,
(pictured left) took office with a new Executive
Board. George Bliss was appointed by General President Maddaloni
to take the helm as the new Director of Training for the UA.
This
was a record breaking year for the programs both in number and
representation. The 44th Programs had the highest number of
attendees with 1,427 Student Instructors in attendance. There
was a tie for first time attendees with 305 new Instructors
beginning the experience of training at the UA Programs. A record
number of room nights were utilized at are hotels. There were
292 Local Unions represented. UA members from 46 States were
in attendance with all Canadian Provinces represented. On graduation
night there were 129 graduating with the proud distinction of
UA Certified Instructor. This is a distinction that they will
carry back to their home Local Unions to train more efficient
and educated journeymen helping to enhance the Plumbing &
Mechanical Industry.
During
Saturday and Sunday, 1427 students were registered by the UA
Staff, along with approximately 200 staff instructors. Classes
are reviewed and the students check out their rooms and once
again become oriented with the Campus of Washtenaw Community
College. 
The
Medical Gas System can literally be a patient's lifeline - bringing
medical (breathing) air, nitrous oxide for anesthesia and pure
oxygen; providing nitrogen to operate surgical power tools;
removing by vacuum, excess blood and organic debris.
Thursday
night is the evening that the Instructors and their families
have waited for, for the past five years - Graduation. There
before their families, union brothers and sisters, and colleagues
from throughout the country, the Instructors proudly stepped
on the stage to accept their diplomas, a representation of those
five long years of hard work.
