Crane Industry Services (CIS), and its partners, announce Trade Up a new skilled labor supply pipeline for contractors. Specializing in preparing workers for most skilled trades in crane operation, construction, heavy industry, and manufacturing, the Trade Up program is part skills-gap assessment, part coordinated training, and part recruitment effort.
Trade Up has immediate openings for up to 12 contractor employers interested in participating in preparation for projects that will require skilled labor in the next six to 18 months.
“Answering the call for skilled labor requires a cohesive and coordinated approach between contractors, industry, and specialty service providers who can help individuals achieve lifelong, reliable careers as skilled craft professionals,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “A multi-pronged approach is the only logical solution to the skilled labor supply shortage,” said Peter Krammer, Managing Partner of ELA Consulting Group, a partner in the Trade Up initiative.
Trade Up makes use of CIS’s training expertise, NCCER curriculum, and the resources of CIS’s partnership with the Economic Development division of West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), as well as the training and business development expertise of ELA Consulting Group. The goal is to connect quality workers to quality employers.
Finding Skilled Labor
“We will help utilities, manufacturers, and contractors to plan in advance for the skilled labor they will need in the near term, and help workers achieve the training and qualifications needed,” said Dickinson. “We will help employers identify a new labor supply who can be ready to work with training,” said Krammer.
Crane Industry Services takes a blended learning approach, combining online introductory training, instructor-led classroom training, hands-on instruction, and on-the-job training. In addition to regularly scheduled classes at the Centered on Safety™ training center located at the WGTC Murphy Campus in Waco, Ga., the WGTC Mobile Training Center brings training and testing to job sites, explains Laura Gammage, Vice President of WGTC Economic Development. “The Mobile Training Center is an RV equipped as a mobile classroom. Programs delivered by CIS in partnership with WGTC Economic Development are approved for funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),” said Gammage.
“Cost for participation in Trade Up is nominal in comparison to costs associated with a few days of rework due to poorly-performed work by less skilled workers,” said Dickinson. Participating employers and contractors will receive assistance with defining the number of workers and specific skill sets needed, a site safety audit and skills checklist, recruitment assistance, and immersion training to qualify workers for specific tasks. “Training is documented and can lead to journeyman level competence and national certifications. The result is craft people who are skilled in multiple areas, making them valuable to employers,” said Dickinson.
Contractors and employers interested in participating in Trade Up should contact:
Peter Krammer, krammer@elaconsultinggroup.com, 707-252-8880
Debbie Dickinson, debbie@craneindustryservices.com, 770-783-9292
Study Seeks to Determine the Value of Simulators in Crane Training
/in Company News /by Tracy BennettView from the operator’s seat. Operators with all levels of experience will be trained using a Vortex Rough Terrain Mobile Crane Training Module.
Crane Industry Services LLC (CIS) announces a skills assessment study being conducted by CIS in conjunction with CM Labs Simulations Inc., Montreal, Quebec, and West Georgia Technical College. The study’s purpose is to determine what operational skill level can be achieved with the use of crane simulators. The study commenced in July and will continue for 14 months and/or after 500 operators have participated in the research.
“This study is a first for the crane industry,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of Crane Industry Services. “While crane simulation tools are not new to the construction industry, there is little quantitative research that determines the value crane simulation offers as part of comprehensive training. We anticipate that the validated study will be used to set specific goals for skill development.” Crane Industry Services is familiar with blended-learning. It currently combines online introductory training, instructor-led classroom training, hands-on instruction, and on-the-job training. CIS leaders were among the first in the industry to create interactive and broadcast quality video learning for the industry.
Typical graphic display from a training module to be used as part of the study being conducted by Crane Industry Services LLC, CM Labs Simulations Inc., and West Georgia Technical College.
“The addition of crane simulators into our curriculum is a natural fit and the industry welcomes this use of technology,” said Cliff Dickinson, President of CIS.
“We are extremely pleased to participate in this study,” says Drew Carruthers, CM Labs’ Construction Product Manager. “It benefits the industry as a whole to understand how we can use simulator-based training to accelerate construction training programs.” CM Labs is the developer of Vortex training simulators.
Scope and objectives
Among the objectives of the study are to:
The population to be studied includes inexperienced, moderately experienced, and very experienced operators, who will be trained using a Vortex Rough Terrain Mobile Crane Training Module. The research partners are seeking employers with operators who 1) have no real experience (less than 99 hours operating time total) and who’ve only had classroom instruction on crane safety concepts; 2) have limited experience (up to 1,000 hours operating time in the previous five year period), but whose crane operation exposure is no more than 20% of their on-the-job time per year. These operators may come from general industry or construction, and they may or may not be certified; and 3) are considered full-time crane operators (over 1,000 hours operating time in the previous five year period), but who have had little or no exposure to training simulators. In most cases, these will be certified crane operators.
Powered by the Vortex Simulation Software engine, the device simulates multi-body dynamics and captures real behavior of cranes, rigging, and loads. Simulations are based on actual crane models with real controls and functionality. The Vortex Training Module is based on a 40-ton rough-terrain crane with a full boom extension of 102 feet. Among its features is the ability for the operator to configure the LMI and set alarms and change the number of parts of line. See an example of the training module in action
“We hope this research will be used to set industry standards for simulation training and to assist employers in measuring the value of simulation as part of training,” said Dickinson. For information on participating in the study, call 770.783.9292 or email info@CenteredonSafety.com.
Crane Industry Services Installs Crane and Excavator Simulators at Centered on Safety™ Training Center
/in Company News /by Tracy BennettCIS staff practice on new Vortex mobile crane simulator.
Crane Industry Services LLC (CIS) has taken delivery of three Vortex Simulators from CM Labs Simulations Inc., Montreal, Quebec. The simulators are designed to provide training and to conduct performance checks for operators of mobile cranes, tower cranes, and excavators.
“The addition of simulators into our curriculum is a natural fit,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS, which provides blended-learning training techniques including online introductory training, instructor-led classroom training, hands-on instruction, and on-the-job training. “These simulators also meet our strategic objectives of recruiting and preparing workers for skilled trades in crane operation, construction, heavy industry, and manufacturing,” said Dickinson.
The simulators are housed at the Centered on Safety™ Training Center located on West Georgia Technical College’s Murphy campus. “We are pleased with the addition of crane and excavation equipment simulators, which provides added value for employers and students in our community,” said Laura Gammage, Vice President of Economic Development for WGTC.
New simulators feature three-screen, motion platform plus instructor’s station.
The simulators feature a three-screen, motion platform setup plus an instructor’s station. Powered by the Vortex Simulation Software engine, the device simulates multi-body dynamics and captures real equipment behaviors. Just as in real life, the simulated tower crane mast and jib bend and torque according to the weight of the load, while the simulated excavator demonstrates bucket forces, trenching, loading and soil behavior.
The mobile crane simulation is modeled after a 40-ton rough terrain crane with full boom extension to 102 feet. Among the training module’s features is the ability for the operator to configure the LMI and set alarms and change the number of parts of line. This simulator will be used as part of a research study that CIS, West Georgia Technical College, and CM Labs are partnering to conduct.
The research goals include determining what operational skill level can be achieved with the use of crane simulators. The study will commence in July and will continue for 14 months and/or after 500 operator trainees have participated in the research. The study is designed to evaluate inexperienced, moderately experienced, and very experienced operators.
Classes are forming now that incorporate the use of the simulators. For information about available training classes or how to participate in the research study, contact (770)-783-9292.
National Safety Month Reminders for Workers, Leaders in Construction
/in Safety /by Tracy BennettCourtesy: National Safety Council
Crane Industry Services joins with National Safety Council in promoting National Safety Month during June 2016. Observed annually, the focus is different for workers and managers, who face equally important, but unique safety challenges. According to NSC, when leaders and employees are engaged in safety awareness, companies experience lower injury and illness rates.
Organizations with high employee engagement outperform those with less-engaged employees in operating income, net income growth, and earnings per share. “By identifying gaps in skills and knowledge, safety and productivity audits can help employees work safer and smarter,” says Debbie Dickinson, CEO of Crane Industry Services. NSC notes that among the immediate benefits are improved worker morale, increased productivity, and reduced costs. In addition, much as $6 return is possible on every $1 invested in safety.
Construction is one of the Top 5 occupations with the largest number of workplace injuries. (See infographic: Workplace Injuries by the Numbers.) In construction environments, employees in the field must remain situationally aware at all times, whether your task is rigging, signaling a crane operator, or lifting a load. Awareness of pinch points, overhead obstructions or energized power lines, and other workers in the vicinity of the lift are just some of the potential hazards you face. “It’s important that construction and engineering teams work together to identify hazards, select the right crane and gear for the lift, and establish lift plan communication protocol,” says Cliff Dickinson, President of CIS and the company’s lead lift planning consultant.
Back at the office, crane and rigging supervisors and safety managers may face other challenges, like justifying the return on investment for training or the purchase of safety equipment.
Useful tips and reminders
The following resources are just a few made available recently that provide useful tips and reminders for construction workers in the field, as well as managers directing safety programs.
Avoiding Heat Stroke In 2013, 372 people died in the U.S. from exposure to excessive heat, according to Injury Facts 2016. Heat-related illness can escalate rapidly. Do you know the signs and what to do if you experience symptoms?
Equipment Safety Reference Guide The Association of Equipment Manufacturers reminds operators that before operating any machinery, to always refer to the operating manual and to know the rules for safe use and maintenance. Do you know the common signal words and symbols used in crane manuals?
10 Most Damaged Rigging Products When every day rigging products get damaged, the cause is often improper use or maintenance. Lifting Gear Hire’s Corporate Trainer Patrick Clark shares tips on protecting (and properly using) hooks, spreader beams, slings and more.
Supervisors and Safety Managers are often faced with justifying safety investments. NSC provides three free safety measurement tools: Safety System Assessment, Employee Safety Perception Survey, and Incident Rate Calculator. Each tool can provide you with valuable data to set priorities for improving workplace practices.
April 2016 Newsletter
/in Newsletter Archive /by Tracy Bennett“Answering the call for skilled labor requires a cohesive and coordinated approach between contractors, industry, and specialty service providers who can help individuals achieve lifelong, reliable careers as skilled craft professionals,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “A multi-pronged approach is the only logical solution to the skilled labor supply shortage,” said Peter Krammer, Managing Partner of ELA Consulting Group, a partner in the Trade Up initiative.
Also featured
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Best Practices for Crane Assembly and Disassembly
/in Inspections, Resources /by Tracy BennettRead the article by Katie Parrish.
Crane Hot Line magazine reported in its February 2016 issue on preparing for a crane’s arrival on site, identifying hazards, and selecting the right tools for crane setup. The best practices for crane assembly and disassembly also discusses responsibilities of various people, including the A/D director.
Cliff Dickinson, President of CIS, adds that OSHA requires cranes to be inspected any time the configuration changes, initially or during the project, such as when boom sections or jibs are added. “Although third-party inspections are not required, it is common for General Contractors to request post-assembly inspections,” he said.
CIS frequently performs post-assembly crane inspections for contractors, including a 2015 job at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., involving a Manitowoc 31000 and two Liebherr LR 11000s.
Skilled Labor Solutions for Near Term Projects
/in Company News, Skilled Labor Supply /by Tracy BennettTrade Up has immediate openings for up to 12 contractor employers interested in participating in preparation for projects that will require skilled labor in the next six to 18 months.
“Answering the call for skilled labor requires a cohesive and coordinated approach between contractors, industry, and specialty service providers who can help individuals achieve lifelong, reliable careers as skilled craft professionals,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “A multi-pronged approach is the only logical solution to the skilled labor supply shortage,” said Peter Krammer, Managing Partner of ELA Consulting Group, a partner in the Trade Up initiative.
Trade Up makes use of CIS’s training expertise, NCCER curriculum, and the resources of CIS’s partnership with the Economic Development division of West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), as well as the training and business development expertise of ELA Consulting Group. The goal is to connect quality workers to quality employers.
Finding Skilled Labor
“We will help utilities, manufacturers, and contractors to plan in advance for the skilled labor they will need in the near term, and help workers achieve the training and qualifications needed,” said Dickinson. “We will help employers identify a new labor supply who can be ready to work with training,” said Krammer.
Crane Industry Services takes a blended learning approach, combining online introductory training, instructor-led classroom training, hands-on instruction, and on-the-job training. In addition to regularly scheduled classes at the Centered on Safety™ training center located at the WGTC Murphy Campus in Waco, Ga., the WGTC Mobile Training Center brings training and testing to job sites, explains Laura Gammage, Vice President of WGTC Economic Development. “The Mobile Training Center is an RV equipped as a mobile classroom. Programs delivered by CIS in partnership with WGTC Economic Development are approved for funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),” said Gammage.
“Cost for participation in Trade Up is nominal in comparison to costs associated with a few days of rework due to poorly-performed work by less skilled workers,” said Dickinson. Participating employers and contractors will receive assistance with defining the number of workers and specific skill sets needed, a site safety audit and skills checklist, recruitment assistance, and immersion training to qualify workers for specific tasks. “Training is documented and can lead to journeyman level competence and national certifications. The result is craft people who are skilled in multiple areas, making them valuable to employers,” said Dickinson.
Contractors and employers interested in participating in Trade Up should contact:
Peter Krammer, krammer@elaconsultinggroup.com, 707-252-8880
Debbie Dickinson, debbie@craneindustryservices.com, 770-783-9292