(International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers)
Recently the Ironworkers National Training Fund conducted a Metal Building train-the-trainer program for Ironworker instructors at the Oakland, California Regional Training Center. Ironworker instructors from the District Council of the State of California and Vicinity attended the course. Dane Bowers, Apprenticeship Coordinator and National Training Fund Instructor presented the class. Dane is from Local No. 340, Battle Creek, Michigan.
This course provided the participants with a brief history of metal buildings as well as the principles of metal building systems. Topics taught included blueprint reading, estimating erection time, primary and secondary framing, insulation, metal siding, standing seam roof and conventional roofing, doorways and openings, gutters, trim and other accessories.
Materials on Butler, VP Buildings, Inc., and Elco metal building products were provided. A high percentage of this course consisted of hands-on application that allowed the student-instructor to handle the material and operate the various pieces of equipment commonly used in the erection of metal buildings. Hands-on training consisted of a full size metal building with all accessories, and a complete roof section two to three feet off the ground that allowed students to participate and observe without standing on scaffolds, etc. Classroom instruction included PowerPoint presentations.
In addition to the metal building classes offered at the Ironworkers Regional Training Centers, the National Fund also presents two train-the-trainer courses at the Annual Instructors Training Program for our Ironworker instructors at the University of San Diego; Introduction to Metal Buildings and Metal Buildings. For a schedule of these and other classes available for our instructors you can go to the Ironworkers International website, click Apprenticeship Department and you will find class schedules for all three Regional Training Centers. For more information about National Fund training programs, contact the Apprenticeship and Training Department at (202) 383-4889.
