CIS Helps Clear a Construction Career Path for Returning Military

Crane Industry Services is working with staffing company AEG to help returning members of the military become job-ready in the construction trades as they transition back into the civilian workforce. The Department of Defense program is called SkillBridge. AEG pairs the individuals to partnering employers, while CIS evaluates their military credentials and trains them for a construction career.

SkillBridge is an opportunity for separating service members to plan their lives after the military. The program matches civilian opportunities to their job training and work experience at the end of their military duty. It allows service members to enhance their marketability and post-separation career prospects.

“What’s great about the program is it offers any service member a paying job while he or she gets back into civilian life,” explains Ray Rice, CIS business development manager. “These young people many times come home with construction-related skills, but they aren’t sure about career opportunities open to them. They’ve spent four, five, or even eight years doing a lot of construction on bases, setting foundations and repairing airfields. They’ve got the skills, and they know the equipment. For the construction industry it’s almost a perfect match.”

AEG connects service personnel to prospective, viable careers with quality employers who are likely to hire the individual, at industry rates or better, after the on-the-job training is completed. CIS trains and provides certification testing for skilled work, supervision, and safety as required by the industries served. The certifications are NCCER-accredited, OSHA-recognized, and can lead successful candidates to documented journey-level qualification in more than 80 skill and leadership areas.

Participants may use up to their last six months of service to work and learn with an industry partner. They continue receiving a military paycheck and benefits at zero cost to the industry partner. The job is offered at no cost to the service member for work or safety gear. It creates a path to a job-interview referral and post-service employment.

In a time when the construction industry is experiencing a worker shortage and is in great need of skilled labor, that almost-perfect match becomes perfect with value-added training from CIS, says Rice, noting that the company has quite a few retired vets on staff. “We love the military. With our deep knowledge of the construction trades, we’re able to help guide these returning veterans and make their career transition a lot simpler.”

Crane Industry Services company news

CIS Now Offers WIOA-Approved Crane & Rigging Certification Program

Crane Industry Services, LLC (CIS), Carrollton, Ga., now offers an introductory crane, rigging, safety and operator certification class that meets Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements for financial aid. The program prepares individuals for great career options in the fields of Power Generation, Electric, Water, Gas, Communications, or Commercial Building.

The <a href=”https://centeredonsafety.com/wioa-crane-rigging-certification/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>WIOA-approved program</a> includes training for rigging (connecting) skills, signal person, OSHA 10 safety, and an introduction to craft skills. The skills attained in the five-week program are valid for life.

The program is designed for those who find themselves either unemployed or underemployed, explained Noel Whelchel, trainer and inspector with CIS. “For those who either don’t have a job or have one but want to go into something else for more money or opportunity, it’s a good way to transition to the construction field.” Some applicants may have some experience in construction work. Others may be “totally green,” said Whelchel, but by completing the program, people at all skills levels can make themselves more marketable with the certifications achieved with the program.

In weeks 1 &amp; 2 of the five weeks, participants get an Introduction to Craft Skills that includes instruction in basic safety, construction math, hand tools, power tools, construction drawings, basic communication skills, basic employability, and material handling. Week 3 focuses on basic rigger and signal person skills; and weeks 4 and 5 cover mobile crane operator instruction.

A federal program, WIOA allows individuals who are unemployed or underemployed to receive funds for retraining. The amount of tuition coverage will vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, and CIS will connect the applicant with his or her local unemployment office, also known as a “One-Stop Center” or Career Center, to verify qualification.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or have passed a high school equivalency test, (GED), said Whelchel. Proof of education must be presented upon application.

Applicants not possessing a high school diploma or GED will be required to complete an in-person interview with CIS staff in order to assess applicable skills necessary for successful completion of the training.

Crane Industry Services company news

Crane Industry Services Adds NCCCO Re-Certification and Written Exam Testing

Crane Industry Services (CIS) expands its services to include certain programs of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

As of April 2020, CIS is authorized to deliver re-certification and written exam testing for NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator, Tower Crane Operator, Overhead Crane Operator, Digger Derrick Operator, and Rigger Level 1 and Rigger Level 2.

“CIS is pleased to offer customers a choice of certification options, all of which are OSHA recognized and ANSI accredited, to meet OSHA crane operator certification requirements,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “Certification is a national requirement that sets a base line for crane operators. Qualification specific to machine types and work is also necessary,” explains Dickinson. “Crane operators should be certified by an accredited, OSHA recognized provider, and qualified. National certification is not required for riggers, but at a minimum, riggers and all members of the lift crew, must be qualified.”

Recertification is required every five years. NCCCO recertification candidates may take their recertification written exams up to one year prior to the certification’s expiration. “CIS will also offer NCCCO practical exams in the near future.” said Noel Whelchel, Trainer and Inspector.

Crane Industry Services company news

Crane Industry Services Adds Business Development Manager

Crane Industry Services (CIS) expanded its team with the addition of Ray Rice, Business Development Manager.

Rice brings more than 20 years of experience from the heavy equipment, aerospace and defense industry. “Ray is well versed in how simulation-based training, software tools, and technology can be leveraged to improve proficiency of equipment operators and is familiar with CM Labs Vortex simulators,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. 

Ray Rice, CIS Business Development Manager

CIS utilizes a variety of simulation tools, including the new Vortex Edge Plus and Vortex Advantage, in the delivery of a variety of craft and safety leadership training, qualification, and testing programs. In addition, CIS is an authorized re-seller of CM-Labs Vortex simulators.

Rice will be responsible for delivering crane operator and rigger training solutions for military, utility, port, and construction industries. As an accredited NCCER training sponsor, CIS also has access to more than 80 different construction curriculum and assessment programs.

In addition, Rice will lead implementation of CIS’ newest behavioral simulation tools in Leading Safety WorksTM, a project management safety program. The program is based on a practical 90-day planning system that makes problem-solving immediately effective and replicable. The system helps project leaders and managers identify critical opportunities to change conditions and improve practices on every job site. “I am glad to be a member of the CIS team. My job is to drive innovation in the lifting and heavy equipment training industry, and expand how CIS serves customers,” said Rice.

Crane Industry Services company news

CIS has a Plan B for Socially Distant Training

While it’s funny to think about any alternative possible other than quarantining yourself at home for extended periods of time, CIS does take our customers’ safety seriously.

We are working hard to offer you and your employees a Plan B for the training you need to become qualified or certified. Our training space allows us to set up training stations for students that are a minimum of 6 feet apart. We are using two Vortex simulators, in addition to crane(s) onsite to accommodate small group learning for a variety of crane operator, rigger, and signalperson courses.

CIS is also delivering Crane Operator Certification exams by staggering test times for individuals to maintain social distancing.

For online learning, CIS has full access to NCCERconnect training curriculum, and can customize topics to be delivered as webinars, by a live, knowledgeable, NCCER certified instructor, to meet your specific needs for training or certification prep.

Topics include:

  • Crane setup, shut-down, and safety procedures
  • Hazard identification
  • Working with load charts
  • Understanding lift plans
  • Principles of dynamic forces
  • Pre-lift inspection of rigging gear
  • Understanding roles and responsibilities of rigger, crane operator, lift planner

Contact us at 770-783-9292 or fred@craneindustryservices.com for flexible small class options or customized online training.

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Management Safety Certification Program to feature Behavioral Simulation

Leading Safety WorksTM, a project management safety certification program, developed by Crane Industry Services LLC and Okos Partners, now includes innovative behavioral simulation tools.

CIS will feature the certification program during ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas, Nev., March 10-14, 2020 in at Festival Hall, Booth F101524.

Leading Safety Works establishes critical, effective, and lasting connections between project and people strategies. The program is based on a practical 90-day planning system that makes problem-solving immediately effective and replicable. The system helps project leaders and managers identify critical opportunities to change conditions and improve practices on every job site.

“Working with leading simulation technology developers, we are using behavioral simulation software to assess the steps an individual makes when faced with real work scenarios. The results will show whether the decisions the individual makes will keep people safe and the project on track, or if they are making choices that may steer the project off course,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. 

“The inclusion of behavioral simulation in the Leading Safety Works program reinforces job site decision making, helping managers identify critical opportunities to change conditions and improve practices on every job site,” said Peter Krammer, Senior Partner with Okos Partners.

Dickinson’s and Krammer’s work with behavioral simulations spans projects with utilities, government, construction, manufacturing and telecommunications.  

Simulations used in the program will be based on actual events rooted in construction or utility applications. “Often accidents happen when the task is something the crew has done a million times, but in this instance, something changes – a distraction, such as weather conditions, a new crew leader, last-minute work order changes, or pressure to hurry,” said Dickinson. The interactive training can be delivered in class, online or by simulator technology.  The interactive training can be delivered in class, online or by simulator technology.