04.05.2011

Operating Union becomes AWPT training centre

The Wilmington Illinois training site of Local 150 International Union of Operating Engineers has become an AWPT (American Work Platform Training- the US arm of IPAF) training centre.

The huge purpose built training campus is located in the greater Chicago area, the industrial centre of the Central United States serving and area that includes the steel mills, coal and petroleum fuel processors of North East Indiana, extending across Northern Illinois, with its new intermodal shipping facilities and on into Iowa.

The organisation will shortly conduct its first training course under the guidelines established by, and with the assistance of, AWPT and IPAF. The training will be provided to members or their employers under the Unions Apprenticeship and Skill Improvement Program (ASIP).
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(L-R) Thomas Spangler, Troy Butler, Glenn Minyard, Martin Turek, Michael Rorex, Gary Riley of IPAF, John Rickert, Michael Drew and Stephen Walenkiewicz – All but Spangler and Rorex are approved AWPT instructors.

John Rickert of the Local said: “We consider AWPT to be the highest quality of training programme, focusing on the operators receiving complete and consistent training, thus enabling them to be safe without sacrificing productivity.”

“The training incorporates approved instructors, a low maximum ratio between instructor and trainees, classroom and practical training and testing, with evaluation of proficiency in the actual use of the equipment, culminating in the issuing of a PAL card. And, to insure a professional level of competence, it also incorporates reviews, annual audits and updates.”

“We would like to see the holding of a PAL card a universal requirement, to help insure a safe and productive workforce at height as well as on the ground.”
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Rickert added: “Vertikal.net played a large part in exposing the need for such training and helped inspire our advocacy of such training for our signatory contractors and our members whom they employ.”