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48th Annual UA Instructor Training ProgramUnlocking
Knowledge Through Training
The UA knows that we will always have a continuing need for the highest quality job performance of its members. They know that the Instructor's who teach the apprentices and journeymen of the piping trades, are the key persons in maintaining the high level of performance for which they have been long recognized. We are determined to retain our enviable position in this regard. Quality craftsmanship is an outcome of good teaching in our training programs. Therefore, the United Association Instructor Training Program aim is to help improve the teaching techniques, broaden manipulative skills, and expand the store of scientific and technical knowledge relating to the trade for all United Association Instructors. UA Instructor Training
After
receiving their diploma, the UA Training Department makes
specialized courses available to them to assist with they
continued educations and upgrading as Instructors of the members
of the United Association. These 20 hour professional element
and applied knowledge and technical courses are available
only to those who have graduated from the Five Year Program.
They allow UA Instructors to expand their knowledge and be
better instructors in their local programs.
Registration this year was a new experience with UA Instructors and the individuals who are teaching them all being registered on the same day. The UA Staff, Greater Michigan PMC Staff and representatives from the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor Visitor's Bureau registering over 2,000 individuals and welcoming them to the area. The
2001 registration was different due to the fact that many
of the individuals who were attending the UA Training Program
and just left Florida from the United Associations' Convention.
This shows quite a commitment to their Industry and Unions. 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 activities. Students heard rousing presentations on the tremendous activities at the UA Training Department from UA Director of Training George Bliss. reviewed the week's activities, and also took the opportunity to introduce the staff of the Training Department. The program was a great send-off for the week's activities.
Left - UA Training Department Director George Bliss reviewing the upcoming activities - Middle - WCC President Larry Whitworth - Right - WCC's Roger Bertoia
UA Welding Program
UA Welding ATR
ATR
I is offered to instruct local union authorized testing
representatives their responsibilities in conducting UA Welding
Certification Program (UA/WCP) testing events. Successful
students meet the requirements of the UA/WCP Quality Control
Systems Manual and will be authorized to conduct testing events
and maintain proper records. ATR III gives Instructors an understanding of the ASME B 31.1 Piping Codes and points out the difference workmanship standards for welding inspection using various codes of construction during fabrication and assemble of piping systems. A workshop environment for evaluating weld imperfections including the use of measuring tools is employed. ATR
IV
provides individuals with an understanding of the required
ASME Code examination and ATR
V is a 40 hour class composed of a self study guide
and classroom seminar. An 8 hour certification examination
will be given on the last day of the seminar involving the
ASME Code topics, the UA Quality Control Systems, Welding
inspection, material and welding technology. Machine and Pipe Tube Welding
UA
Trailers Come To Campus To Increase Teaching Opportunities
for the UA Member
 The
UA continues to increase the number of "Trainer Trailers"
they have at the disposal of the UA Instructor. Trailers were at WCC for Gas Distribution, High Purity Piping, Medical Gas Training, and Service Training. 
The Trailers are totally self-contained and, obviously mobile
to assist with their continual movement to UA Training Centers
throughout the country. High Purity Systems 
High
Purity Systems is a 40- hour class with the prerequisite of
completion of 290 hours of High Purity classroom instruction
or two years experience in High Purity Piping.
Subjects to be covered are Process Gas, High Purity Water, Hazmat-Safety, Plastics, Principles of Contamination Control, Metallurgy and Alloys, High Purity Requirement in the Semi-Conductor and Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals. Instructors who successfully completed this course receive a certification for High Purity and Ultra Pure Piping Systems installation. They also receive certification as an instructor in these industries Discussion and Interaction Techniques
The
class covers the place and role of discussion and interaction
in the trade teaching process; Principles of conducting
classroom discussion; Techniques for getting discussions
started, keeping discussion on target, and closing; Use
of questions as a teaching technique; Techniques of making
questioning effective; Handing students questions; Nature
of conference and small group techniques in trade education;
Workshop in discussion leading and small group techniques. Pictured Left -L. to R. -Larry Mazzola, UA General Executive Board Member, C. Randal Gardner, UA Assistant General President and UA General President Martin J. Maddaloni at the beginning of the Graduation Ceremony- Right -Graduates during the Pledge of Allegiance
Platform Guests -Left -L.. to R. -Larry J. Mazzola, 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, C. Randal Gardner, UA Assistant General President, and Martin J. Maddaloni, UA General President -right -George H. Bliss, UA Director of Training, 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
Below Right -UA 190's Instructor Dave Brooks completed his fifth year and graduated at this year's program -Yeah Dave! Left- Beaming Graduate and Below Enthusiastic Supporters
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The
United Association hit the campus of Washtenaw Community College
in full force on Monday, August 13th as the 48th Annual United
Association Instructor Training Program began the registration
of the UA Instructors attending the incomparable training
program.
The
UA breaks the training down into two the five- year degree
and the additional 20-hour professional courses. The First
Year Courses are required for everyone attending the program
for the first time. In the subsequent years they are various
required courses and with a large offering of elective courses
to choose from. Each year Instructors are required to enroll
in two professional element courses of twenty hours before
they will receive their diplomas, issued from Michigan State
University.
UA
Local 190 Instructors - L. to R. -
Back Row - Dave Brooks, Frank Pohs, Todd Tennyson, Doug Mayher,
John Stalker, Al Culbreath, Rich Bucholz, Ivory Sims, Randy
Schnabelrauch, Scott Klapper, John Coleman - Front Row - Al
Vasquez, George Bliss, Ron House, Mike Hyde, Pat Duffy, John
Winkle, John McTaggert
The
true magnitude of this program can truly only be felt by seeing
the overwhelming commitment to training that comes from the
number of individuals who are participating. 
The
reliance on certified welders is a necessity in the construction
and maintenance of critical piping systems. This is a detail
well known in the Mechanical Industry. That is why the United
Association (UA), the Mechanical Contractors Association of
America (MCAA) and the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
(NCPWB) have formed a Tri-Partite Committee that has developed
a uniform Welder Certification Program for the Mechanical
Piping Industry. It is obvious that a harmonious relationship
between the three respective groups would be beneficial to
all concerned parties. 
This
Tri-Partite Committee helps to insure owners and users of
our construction services, the very best welders in the industry,
for the most economical costs. In welding classes the only
passing grade is 100%! Nothing less is acceptable because
anything less would allow leaks or contamination. Welds are
expected to be about two and a half times as strong as the
pipe they are in so if there is a failure, it is the pipe,
not the weld that fails. As with all UA training, safety is
an important factor in welding classes. Students are thoroughly
schooled in accident prevention. 
The
UA commitment to the Certified Welder Program is apparent
with the advancing level of the ATR (Authorized Training Representative)
classes being taught. ATR I, II, III and IV are all 20 hour
classes. 
Section
IX as they pertain to the development of welding procedure
specifications and the qualification of welders.
testing
of materials. It familiarizes the ATR Candidate with the various
nondestructive examination and testing procedures applicable
to working codes. 
Machine
and Pipe Tube Welding (Auto-GTAW) is a 20 hour course consisting
of the development of specific welding data (programs) for
automatic welding of tube and pipe, the mechanical preparation
using machine prop and cutting tools of the weld test samples.
The class is limited to those who have a minimum of five (5)
years of GTAW experience. 
Discussion
and Interaction Techniques is a 10 hour Fourth Year class
in a Five Year Program of Professional Element Courses.
This program is a continuing effort by the UA Training Department
to provide the best training for United Association instructors.
There are 7 Professional Element Courses and 10 Profession
Elective Courses. 
The
highlight of the training program is graduation. It is the
culmination of five years work for the many individuals
striving to increase their skills for the UA worker. Recently
re-elected UA General President Martin Maddaloni (right)
gave the charge to the new graduates as he congratulated
them for their hard work and commitment to the industry.
George Bliss, UA Director of Training presided over the
48th Annual United Association Instructor Training Program
Completion Ceremony. 
There
was a significant crowd on hand to making this a most memorable
graduation ceremony. Along with UA General President Maddaloni
and Training Director George Bliss, those in attendance
also heard from Dr. Larry Whitworth, President of Washtenaw
Community College as he spoke of the strong partnership
between the United Association and WCC (pictured above
right) where the program is held. He also discussed
the new Regional Training Center and the UA University housed
at WCC. Dr. Daniel Kruger from Michigan State University
(pictured above left), one of the country's
leading authorities on the benefits of Union 
Labor,
gave a rousing speech as he talked about the commitment
of the UA to give the union worker, and the union employing
contractor, all the tools they need to be successful. Spouses,
children, and union brothers and sisters were on hand to
help celebrate the graduation with their Instructors. The
spectators provided enthusiastic support for the men and
women who became Certified Instructors. 
