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UA Prepares Instructors for the New Millennium
The Program is a testament to the continuing concern in the UA for the highest quality of job performance for its members. It is the UA's belief that the Instructor who teaches the apprentice and journeymen of the piping trades, is the key person in maintaining the high level of performance for which the UA has long been recognized. The main aim of this program is to help improve the teaching techniques, broaden the manipulative skills, and expand the scientific and technical knowledge relating to the trade, for UA Instructors.
The United Association is on the the road toward becoming an even stronger and more progressive union. With the new Internet features, CD ROMs and new Distance Learning Programs that are being developed by the Training Department, the UA is working to meet the many challenges of the upcoming new century. Record Breaking Year for the UA
Orientation On Sunday all 1,536 enrolled students convened at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College for Student Orientation and review of the weeks activiites. Students heard rousing presentation on the tremendous activities at the UA Training Department from General President Martin J. Maddaloni. They also previewed the new Training Video. UA Director of Training George Bliss reviewed the weeks activities, and also took the opportunity to intorduce the staff of the Training Department. The program was a great send-off for the week's activities.
UA Bookstore
Textbooks are published by the International Pipe Trades Joint Committee specifically for the plumbing and pipe fitting training needs. Here Instructors get their required classrom materials as well as having the opportunity to update their home local Libraries.
Computers are a way of life and an important part of the UA Instructor Training Program. Students are taught the multi-benefits of computer aided drawing in the plumbing and mechanical industry. The High Purity Computer Aided Drafting is a 40 hour course available only to Instructors who have taken Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting or who have equivalent experience. During this class the Instructors explore the creation of three dimensional high purity pipiing models while utilizing special high purity CAD piping software. Techniques for applications to piping installation, including fabrication and data management were also explored.
Distance Learning
Computers
and electronic communications are playing an ever increasing
role in the way we teach. That is the reason that the UA has
instituted courses covering the Internet, the UA's own Intranet,
the use of CD-ROM's, distance learning techniques, development
of They are insuring that the UA Instructors will be able to expand the boundaries of how they teach through theses courses, which will be a tremendous help to the Instructors. The 20 Hour class for Distance Learning Teaching Techniques covered the use of interactive television and other distance learning techiques. It addressed how to plan distance learning classes which included how to covert coventional classrom materials into a format suitable for distance learning as well as the presentation techniques for instructors.
We all are becoming more proficient in every aspect of electronic communications and the use of the Internet (whether we want to or not). The UA knows that the sooner they expose their teachers to this type of instruction and they begin to take advantage of the classes, the sooner they will become an active part of the digital age.
As with other UA courses, the valve repair course was designed to meet industry needs. For example, with as many as 40,000 valves in a single nuclear plant that must be examined and tested on a regular basis, the need for workers well-trained in valve repair is tremendous. The UA answers that need with this course.
Fundamentals of Rigging
It teaches basic knots and their uses, wire rope and webb slings and their applications in the trades. Signaling methods and safe uses of everyday "Rules of Thumb" were also covered. This is one of the many safety classes taught to insure the safety of not only the UA worker, but all on the jobsite.
Installing Medical Gas Systems
A written exam and a brazing procedure is administered. Students who successfully passed this course qualified for a certification as a Medical Gas Installer/Brazer and as a Medical Gas Instructor of the United Association.
The
Principles of Learning is a class designed for instructors attending
their first year. Definition, nature and effects of learning
along with various kinds of learning are reviewed. Implications
of readiness, drive, reinforcement, exercise, habit, transfer
of learning and retention and forgetting are also studied at
length.
The
UA Welder Certification Program has no parallel in the building
and construction industry. The program provides pre-tested,
certified and immediately available journeymen UA welders are tested at local training sites across the United States and Canada under a consisitent set of guidelines and rules. The
flexible program accommodates special requirements of users
and contractors. A As we continue to be more health and safety conscious, business, industry and government continue to respond to public concern. A weld that is not properly done, or one that allows contamination poses a serious threat to safety and health. While the UA Welder Certification Program is setting new standards for welder testing procedures, its overriding concern is also for safety. The training recieved here helps to ensure that welders are performing only work for which they are fully qualified.
The training received here at the UA program prepares instructors to assure that the program at their home Locals provide contractors and users with the necessary skilled welders so that each and every project is delivered at the highest possible level of quality. Supporting UA Training Under the direction of UA General President Martin J. Maddaloni, the UA Training Department works year round to prepare for the Annual Instructor Training Program is committed to keeping up with current technology in all areas, developing not only training programs, but also certification and testing programs as well. As new technologies, materials, techiques, equipment and regulations are developed, the UA is there to assess the need and create the programs.
Left- UA General President Martin Maddaloni, Center - Secretary to the General Presient Doris Baker and General Presient Maddaloni, Bottom - George Bliss, UA Director of Training
UA Special Representatives assigned to Traqining Department - Left - L. ro R. Steve Kelly, Randy Ward, UA Welding Department, Ron Albright, and Tommie Sweat Right - L. to R. - Brian McDonald, Sid Cavanaugh, Steven Allen, Peter Marzec
Left - L. to R. - UA Training Departemnt - Wanda Jameson, Cathy Merkel, Pam Ellis, Barbara Hall, Sarah Pingleton, General President Maddaloni receiving Proclamation from the County Industry Day At The UA Training Program There is not better declaration of the quality of the skilled craft person working for the MCAA Mechanical Contractor than the UA Instructor Training Program. To better educate construction owners and users regarding the outstanding training received by our workers, they are invited to tour the UA Training Program. Along with the tour, the new UA Training Video was premiered. Representatives from the Construction Division of the Business Roundtable were also in attendance.
Platform Guests - Left - L. to R. - Larry J. Mazzona, UA General Executive Board Member, James E. O'Mara, UA General Executive Board, Dr. Daniel H. Kruger, Professor of Labor Relations, Dr. Larry Whitworth, President Washtenaw Community College, Randall Gardner, UA Assistant General President, George H. Bliss, III, UA Director of Training - Right - Thomas Patchell, UA General Secretary-Treasurer, Richard Shaneyfelt, St. Mary's Church, Jack Barnes, UA General Executive Board, John F. Greenwood, UA General Executive Board, Louis J. Ackerman, UA General Executive Board
A
significant crowd
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The
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing
and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada held
their 46th Instructor Training Program, August 7-13th, 1999
at the Washtenaw Community College Campus. 
The
1999 program also represents the last of the 20th Century. Many
are asking themselves the question "Are we ready for the
new millennium?" For the UA, the answers is a resounding
"YES!"
1999
represents another record breaking year for the United Association
Training Program. This year's program had 1,536 students enrolled
- more that ever before! There were 291 first time participants
in the program with 151 graduates. Along with those registration
numbers, 49 States were represented along with 10 Provinces.
A tremendous way to end the Century.
The
UA Bookstore provides textbooks with up to date information
regarding the subjects being taught. With 85 courses, 241 sections,
and 1,567 students, it obviously is one of the busiest placeson
campus. This is particularly true when you take into account
that these books have a shelf-life of three years or less, after
which they become obsolete and are revised or replaced. This
year, as with others, some of the texts came off the presses
just before the UA arrived.
Computer
Aided Drafting
At
this years UA Instructor Training Program there were numerous
new professional courses for the Instructors to choose from.
These courses have come about as a direct repsonse to the "digital
revolution".
lesson
plans and preparation of Power Point presentations for teaching.
Also
covered was the use of internet pages, e-mail, chat-rooms, telecourses,
audiotapes and instructor created videotapes in support of a
distance learning program. Hands-on practice using interactive
television equipment was also provided.
Valve
Repair
The
class is comprised of about 25% textbook (pictured to
left) and 75% hands-on work. Class members
are instructed in the disassembly, inspection, repair and reassembly
of different types of valves found in power plants and other
industrial facilities. Students learned how to use valve reconditioning
equipment and became skilled in the application of senstiive
calibrating tools.
Rigging
safety is taught to give the UA Journeymen and apprentices the
most up-to-date information available to help protect themselves
and their fellow workers against injury while handling the materials
and equipment they work with every day.
The
class Installing
Medical Gas Systems was designed to provide both the general
and specific information needed to develop local training programs
throughout the United Association.
Principles
of Learning
Welding
Program
welders
throughout the United States and Canada.
user
can request that welders be tested and certified for a specialized
procedure that may be needed on a project.
Graduation
was on hand to make this a most memorable graduation ceremony.
They also heard from Dr. Larry Whitworth, (pictured right
- top) President of Washtenaw Community College where
the program is held, and Dr. Daniel Kruger from Michigan State
University (pictured right bottom). The spectators
provided enthusiastic support for the one hundred fifty one
men and women who became Certified Instructors.
