Masonry Magazine December 2004 Page. 55
News
News continued from page 54
After making its debut at ICP 2003, the two-tier program for current and potential supervisory personnel of BAC signatory contractors is delivered locally. The first level for forepersons covers topics such as productivity, personnel management and professional relationships. The second level for superintendents covers advanced project management, industry history and technical issues.
To keep the curriculum useful and relevant, the program is continuously updated.
One new 2004 offering, "Promoting Respect and Developing Solidarity," had instructors discuss cultural diversity and sexual harassment prevention, and learn strategies for teaching such skills to their local's members. That benefits both current and potential members, notes IMI Education Director Colleen Muldoon. As recruiting efforts step up and spread to wider audiences, "we have to offer new services," she says.
The outdoor technical courses give instructors at all levels practical, hands-on experience for teaching subjects like stone veneer or scaffolding safety.
ICP graduation requires a minimum of 200 hours of course work in both required and elective courses. Instructors must demonstrate mastery of course content and present to the Certification Committee a portfolio of materials and techniques, training plans, schedules, supplies and tools. The IMI-appointed Certification Committee includes certified instructors and academic professionals.
Even after graduation, the learning continues. Some post-certified courses include ACI certification, cross-craft training in all BAC crafts, building codes and standards (for both structural design and exterior veneer), computers, education evaluation instruments, hazard communication, labor relations, communication, motivation, planning, legal issues and multiculturalism.
"ICP has inspired me to push myself and to encourage others," says BAC Local 74 IL. instructor Robbie Marshall. "I have learned that I can and do make a difference."
BAC Local 5 NJ instructor Phil Graziani credits ICP for making him "a real teacher- someone who can recognize students' needs and create courses to meet those needs."
Max Porter, Ph.D., P.E., Hon.M. ASCE and President of The Masonry Society, says, "Overall, [ICP is] an excellent training program and instructor certification program.
"I was especially impressed with the actual constructed masonry mock-up wall sections," Porter continues. "The wall section showing the examples of mistakes that typically can occur during construction especially caught my attention-particularly the mistakes showing the code violations."
This year's class included 161 instructors, 13 of whom graduated. To date, the program has produced 178 certified instructors, including IMI Director of Apprenticeship and Training Steve Martini. "As a training professional, ICP raised me to a higher level of expertise and professionalism," he says. "And we are always on the alert for opportunities to do even more."
For more information, please visit www.imiweb.org.
Index
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30 American Discount Aluminum
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15 MCAA-masonrycontractors.org
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18 McCanney Lumber
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45 Aztec Mortar Systems, Inc.
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41 Bloc-Trac
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7 Non-Stop Scaffolding
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23 Bracing Systems, Inc.
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23 Proto II of Arizona
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55 Casualty Equipment
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51 Quality Diamond Tools
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17 Crank Up Scaffolding
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29 Quikpoint, Inc.
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30 Cure-Weld Tools, Inc.
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9 The Quikrete Companies
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47 Danok Tool Shop
25 Restoration Direct
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8 Eaco Chem
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15 Rhino Blades
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IBC Face Products, Ltd.
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21 Rind Tools
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37 Glass Blocks Unlimited
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50 Rockwell Line Company
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54 Grout Hog/EZ Grout
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19 Sandhog Manufacturing
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63 Hanley Wood
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1 Spec Mix, Inc.
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IFC Hydro-Mobile
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39 Sterling Handling
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11 ICS Building International Inc.
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13 Tradesmen's Software
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18 Independent Stamping, Inc.
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25 Techo-Bloc
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3 Jakelito Bracing, Inc. - About It
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40 Tuf Software
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25 K & W Manufacturing
27 951.277.3300
52 WDP & Associates
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48 Kennison Forest Products
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37 Web Equipment
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www.masoncontractors.org