Gerry Hughes, Executive Director

The Oakville and Morrisburg facilities continue to operate at close to capacity. With the exception of the August annual leave period, we expect to be at full capacity for the duration of 2008 and well into 2009. Additional courses have been added to meet demand.

SIMULATION SYSTEMS UPDATE
Our newest addition to our simulation fleet, the conventional crane simulator patterned after our Manitowoc 8500, is now on site at Oakville. A new head tracker and the latest technology in video cards have improved the resolution and graphics significantly. This simulator is also capable of operating in various modes. This is a real benefit for the development of our apprentices as it would be very difficult to replicate these functions on our training site in Oakville. We now have five simulators in training: a mobile hydraulic crane; a conventional crane; a tower crane; and two concrete pumps (one fixed and one mobile). Pending the supply of government funding, we intend to make some refinements to improve the graphics and add field exercises. Some of these additions are:
— A training scenario for the installation and dismantling of a tower crane. This is another activity that will be useful as it would be time consuming, costly and dangerous to do this on the crane site in Oakville.
— A two-crane pick using two simulators.
— A novice’s introductory self-educational capability whereby the simulation shows a basic crane operation on the screen. After the student correctly replicates the task, the simulation automatically moves on to the next task and so on until the student has gained proficiency on the controls and functions of the crane.
— Constructing a multiple level building by installing vertical and horizontal cross beams.
— Record and playback capabilities so that a student can review his/her performance on the instructor’s console.
— Develop a scenario whereby the student can set fly forms, pour concrete, remove fly forms and repeat the process to build a multi-level building.
There are a number of other scenarios that we are considering,
but this will depend upon the availability of government funding.

PRE-APPRENTICESHIP
In the last three years IUOE Local 793 has kick-started careers of more than 75 young adults as heavy equipment operators. As more members retire it’s critical for us to build our workforce with these young adults. The pre-apprenticeship program, sponsored by the Ontario government, gives us this opportunity.
Candidates first attend a six-week training program at the OETIO and then complete an eight-week work experience.
Training provides the necessary safety knowledge and exposure to basic operating techniques for when they go to a jobsite. The program is a success because of Local 793 members who take the time to work with the youth in their eight-week work placement. It’s the knowledge and experience that the operators share with the pre-apprentice that brings the trade to life.
In 2009, we hope to give another 45 candidates from across the province the same opportunity.
If you know of a young person between ages 18 and 24 who’d be interested in our trade, please encourage them to apply

INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT COURSES
We are now developing a new course called OETIO Training Delivery Methods. Content for the dozer course is outlined in the graph below.
The dozer portion of the course can easily be replaced by mobile crane, tower crane, excavator, etc. with little effort. We expect to pilot this course in the near future. If a member is interested in participating in the course or is interested in an instructor position, please contact me at 613-543-2911 or send an email to: ghughes@oetio.com.

CONCRETE PUMP PROGRAM
The steering committee has approved a new curriculum and a final draft was to have been presented to the whole PAC committee by mid September.
The course will consist of four weeks of in-school training and approximately 2,000 hours of on-the-job training for completion. The goal is to eventually have this trade made compulsory, similar to the crane programs.

0-8 TON PROGRAM
This program was expected to be launched by the MTCU in September. It will consist of 40 hours of in-school training followed by a separate written test to be done at a local college. Students need to achieve a 70-per-cent mark in order to obtain their Certificate of Achievement.

MIGHTY MACHINES COME TO OETIO
Last spring, OETIO hosted the filming of an upcoming Mighty Machines episode. This new episode is about machines ‘going to school’ to learn how to do their jobs safely and correctly.
The series is expected to debut this fall. Mighty Machines is a popular children’s series that focuses on the natural fascination children have with the giant trucks, bulldozers, cranes, trains, etc. that work in their communities. The series broadcasts on TV Ontario and TFO (TVO French).

LOCAL 793 ELECTION
Meanwhile, I would like to extend my congratulations to business manager Mike Gallagher and the officers and executive of Local 793 who were elected, re-elected or acclaimed to positions in the recent union election.