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 TrainingInnovations part of this year's plans (March 2008) By Brad Randall, Training Plan Administrator Simulator Training The Training Plan is acquiring several simulator training stations. Five stations, configured for excavator training, will remain at the Maple Ridge Training Site. The remaining station will be used at career fairs and information sessions to explain excavator and mobile crane training. Simulation training, used to augment traditional training programs, is growing in popularity. Many of our affiliates are embracing this instructional tool. It provides trainees with virtual hands-on training so they can develop their knowledge and skill. It is also cost effective because it doesn’t use the actual equipment which requires capital investment, fuel, maintenance, service and repair. Time spent initially operating a simulator and developing skills under controlled conditions should significantly reduce the risk of damage to real iron during subsequent field training. The software provides a variety of exercises which help develop familiarity and smoothness with controls and which allow the Training Plan to evaluate students’ progress in a measurable and consistent manner. The data collected from these assessments will also be used during program reviews to measure the effectiveness of instruction and curricula. Road Building Training Programs The Training Plan recently submitted a proposal to deliver a training pilot for a new Asphalt Paving/Laydown Technician Program on behalf of the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association and the Industry Training Authority (ITA). We were successful in our bid and the pilot is scheduled for February at our training site. This course is the in-school technical training component of a new competency based apprenticeship. The course is delivered over three weeks and is comprised of both classroom (theory) and field (practical) instruction. Students will be introduced to a variety of operations and equipment including raking, paver, rollers, screed and milling reclamation. Graduates are eligible to complete their training on the job, achieving the required competencies defined in their program log books. Completion of this apprenticeship leads to a B.C. Certificate of Qualification with endorsements. It is the second apprenticeship in the road building training model following the launch of the Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program. The Training Plan recently completed four HEO field tests for the ITA and expects this program to be ready for regular delivery in 2008. Upgrade and off-site Training A number of upgrade and refresher courses were presented to our members and contractors this winter including rigging and forklift certifications as well as j-lift and asphalt plant classes. These have been well received and the Training Plan has scheduled further training this spring in Kamloops, Kelowna and Castlegar and on Vancouver Island. Separate courses on rollers, screed and grades and stakes will run from one to three days in each area. The Training Plan also facilitated an asphalt plant upgrade course for our contractors and members. The three-day seminar proved very successful with 46 members from around the province and 17 of our paving contractors in attendance. It covered all aspects of hot mix asphalt production and was presented by T.J. Young, a highly respected author and trainer in the asphalt industry. We have tentatively rebooked Mr. Young for January 2009. WORK SAFELY. |
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