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50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE UA INSTRUCTOR TRAINING PROGRAM
The program also boosts the local economy, bringing an estimated $3 million in additional revenue to restaurants, hotels, retailers and other local businesses, according to the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As outlined in the letter by UA General President Martin J. Maddaloni "United Association members must be ready to meet the challenges of the workplace. The workplace is changing rapidly and 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."
The Program The United Association has a continuing concern for the high quality job performance ofits members. They believe that you, the instructors who teach the apprentices and journeyworkers of the piping trades, are the key persons in maintaining the high level of performance for which we have been long recognized. We are determined to retain our enviable position in this regard. Pictured below - UA 190 Instructors
The United Association Instructor Training Program for instructors of journeyworkers and apprentices is designed to:
Registration - Let the Learning Begin
.
The UA's staff and volunteers gave directions, answered questions, changed class schedules when necessary, and all around assisted those in attendance as they prepared for their week of learning.
Right - I've been collecting
for a lot longer, keep up the good work Left - "I'm just starting, but give me a couple years.
Orientation
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 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.
Valves
Mechanical Equipment Service - Refrigeration
Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting This course is designed as an introduction to Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and the CAD environment. Emphasis is placed upon creation of a two-dimensional CAD piping drawing utilizing AutoCAD drafting software, within the Windows operating system.
Backflow Prevention Certification
Welding
L. to R. - "What
was I suppose to tell Don?" - "I'm telling you, ya
gotta learn to do this yourself!" - "Alright, Canada
made it in the newsletter, of course it took President Maddaloni
to get us here."
Left - L. to R. -
"I told you we'd get here on time, if you just let me ask
for directions" Center- "What was I suppose to tell
Ron?"
L. to R. - What would
a gathering be without a cell phone - "They used my picture
in the brochure !" - "Whatever pictures you don't
get - I will." 50 Years - An Amazing Record What a terrific week this has been, celebrating the program's 50th Anniversary, and honoring its history. The weather has held, (of course its always great weather in Michigan), there was a record breaking attendance for the training program, and a record number of room nights being utilized. The community has been tremendously happy to have you here. And, in particular both UA Local 190 and the Greater Michigan PMC have felt it an honor to be a small part of the week. We look forward to the UA returning to Michigan, and along with the Michigan State Pipe Trades and representatives from the Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association, we sincerely hope your stay has been a happy one. We know, with the excellent curriculum of the UA Instructor Training Program that it has definitely been an educational one. We congratulate UA General President Martin Maddaloni, UA Director of Training George Bliss, and the amazing UA Training Staff on the exceptional job they do on this program, and all year long, assisting Local Training Programs. They, and you, are the best in the construction industry. We hope you a have safe
trip home, and that we'll see you again next year! Sandra Miller, President |
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The
50th Anniversary of the UA Instructor Training Program began
in force when more than 2,000 UA Plumber and Pipefitter Local
Union members landed on the Campus of Washtenaw Community College.
The group has been coming to the Ann Arbor area for the past
14 years.
The
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing
and Pipe Fitting Industry returned to the Washtenaw Community
College Campus in Ann Arbor for the 50th United Association
Instructor Training Program - "Doing It Right".
The
UA Program, under the direction of President Maddaloni and George
Bliss, Director of Training for the UA, is the most prestigious
in the construction industry. It was developed for the instructors
of the journeymen and apprentices to help improve their teaching
techniques,broaden their manipulative skills, and expand the
store of scientific and technical knowledge relating to the
trade. 2003 is a record breaking year with: 1,888 in class,
250 instructors and 245 graduating. Participants come from all
over the United States, Canada, and Panama.
Quality
craftsmanship is an outcome of good teaching in our training
programs. Therefore, the United Association Instructor Training
Program is designed for you. Our aim is to help you improve
your teaching techniques, broaden your manipulative skills,
and expand your store of scientific and technical knowledge
relating to your trade. We encourage you to make the most of
the unique opportunity provided by the United Association.
Without
a doubt, the day of greatest activity for the UA Program is
Saturday - Registration Day. The UA Training Staff registered
just under 2,000 Instructors.
The
bookstore is always one of the busiest places during registration,
in particular. Instructors have the opportunity to get the books
they need for class, and review books that they might want to
utilize back at their home Local Union.
Left
- I've been collecting pins for twelve years while I have been
volunteering at UA week, thought I'd show them off this year!
Below
- Michigan pins, too many to count
The
first order of business for the Apprentice and Journeyman Instructors
is Sunday at Orientation. Instructors not only have the opportunity
to hear from UA and College dignitaries, but also learn about
the upcoming weeks' activities. UA General President Maddaloni
(left) spoke of the rich history of the leadership
of the UA and the UA Instructor Training Program as it celebrates
its 50th Anniversary. He also gave those in attendance an update
on the activities of the UA and discussed future plans. 
UA
Director of Training George Bliss (right) also
spoke on the outstanding history of the UA Instructor Training
Program.
He also had the opportunity to introduce the Training 
Department
staff allowing the students to recognize the great job done
by his crew. 
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.
The
purpose of this course wasto 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.
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.
Operation of the refrigeration vapor compression cycle was covered.
The use of pressure enthalpy diagrams as learning tools is explained.
The application of various refrigeration system components and
refrigeration piping rounds out the course.
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.
Mobile
Training Unit
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 sprinklerfitters
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. 
