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 TrainingRock truck helps create real working conditions (July 2007) By Brad Randall, Training Plan Administrator Contractors working with the Training Plan I would like to thank Dan Green of Delta Aggregates for donating the use of an articulated rock truck. The truck was used in one of our four-week Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship courses in March. We also used it to move gravel around the site to create more open areas for training. Cooperation and support from our contractors helps us provide training courses that reflect real working conditions. Our own Brother Gordon Lindberg is top in trade Congratulations to Brother Gordon Lindberg, mobile crane instructor, for being “Top in his Trade.” The Top in Trades contest was created by the Industry Training Authority to celebrate success in the trades. The ITA manages B.C.’s apprenticeship programs for the provincial government. The Province newspaper ran an article several months ago seeking nominations. Almost 200 tradespeople were nominated; 12 were chosen. The winners were selected on the basis of their career achievements, commitment to training and safety and contribution to the community, and the challenges they have overcome. I was very proud to nominate Gordon. He was profiled in the May 13, Sunday edition of The Province. Congratulations Gordon! You are truly Top in Your Trade (see facing page). New training courses In April and May, the Training Plan ran a couple of two-week deckhand courses at the training site. A couple of field trips were arranged to visit Vancouver Pile Driving and Fraser River Pile & Dredge sites. Instructor Brother Grant Washington did a great job. He spent most of his working career in the marine industry and is respected by both employers and members. The course was developed to meet the skill shortage in the industry. The Training Plan worked directly with the companies to ensure that we were able to meet their training needs. These courses will continue to run on an as needed basis with follow-up on-the-job training. We also put on a two-week excavator upgrading course at the training site for members working at CGL Contracting in Kamloops. This course was designed specifically by CGL and instructor Brother Pat Watson to prepare students for working around utilities. We also ran a three-day grades and stakes course, part of our regular excavator course. Several members from out of town joined the excavator class for this portion. If any members are interested in any upgrading courses, please contact the Burnaby office at 604-299-7764. Crane operator certification update WorkSafeBC requires all B.C. crane operators operating mobile cranes, boom trucks, tower cranes and self-erecting tower cranes to be registered with the B.C. Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) by July 1, 2007. They must be licensed with the BCACS by July 1, 2008. The Training Plan is developing new training programs to replace the current mobile crane apprenticeship programs. As of April 1, 2007, the Industry Training Authority does not fund Level 1 mobile crane courses offered under the old system. We have over 60 mobile crane apprentices who took training under the old system. We have come to an agreement with the Industry Training Authority to have these apprentices complete their apprenticeship under the old system with full B.C. certification and an Interprovincial Red Seal. We have combined Levels 2 & 3 for a five-week course for apprentices who have completed Level 1 only. Level 3 courses will be offered to apprentices who completed Level 2 under the old system. Caterpillar M-Series motor grader Caterpillar Equipment introduced its new M-Series motor grader at the training site in April. Brothers Craig Desautels and Brad Nunn from Finning Equipment left the new grader with us for several weeks to allow contractors and operators to test it. They also brought an M-Series motor grader simulator, developed by Simlog, to help operators get a feel for the new machine. This grader is operated only with joy sticks. It has no steering wheel or levers. |
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