IMI Instructor Certification Program
Multi-Craft Approach Focuses on Industry Trends
January 2005
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| BAC and IMI instructors keep
up on the latest OSHA training, through the ICP
train-the-trainer approach. IMI National Training
Center Instructor Mike Kassman teaches a class
attended by, from bottom to top, Mark White of
Local 43 OH, Dan Palazzo of Local 3 NY, Paul Cardillo
of Local 3 NY, and Earl Matko of Local 9 PA, among
others. |
Now celebrating its 20th year, the IMI Instructor
Certification Program (ICP) has evolved into a rigorous
instructor training program that directly benefits
BAC members at all levels of their careers, and the
masonry industry at large. Participants, who represent
all BAC crafts and the vast majority of BAC Locals,
number close to 200. To date, the program has produced
178 certified instructors.
To keep BAC and IMI instructors on top of industry
needs and to reflect BAC’s emphasis on cross-craft
training, ICP courses are continuously updated. The
program offers a mix of professional development and
technical courses, plus hands-on sessions in all the
BAC crafts and products. In order to become certified,
BAC and IMI instructors must present an extensive graduate
portfolio.
The 200-hour curriculum, which takes at least five
years to complete, reflects a significant investment
of time on the part of the instructors. BAC Local 5
Ohio Apprentice Coordinator Anthony McCullough, who
graduated in 2004, wasn’t sure what to expect
when he started in 1999. What stands out in his mind
are the updates on industry trends and IMI activities,
as well as the hands-on familiarization sessions in
new products like AAC, which he often adopts for his
own program. But at the top of his list is the ability
to compare notes and strategies with BAC and IMI colleagues. “It’s
really helped me,” he says.
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| Graduating ICP participants
get plenty of practice time and support. From left,
John Puntel of Local 1 PA/DE, Wendell Stirgus of
Local 1 MD/VA/DC, Hector Arellano and David Tedeschi
of Local 52 IL, and Michael Koch of Local 21 IL. |
Robbie Marshall of Local 74 IL couldn’t agree
more. “ICP has inspired me to push myself and
to encourage others. I have learned that I can and
do make a difference.”
One visitor to the 2004 session was Max Porter, President
of The Masonry Society, and a professor of civil and
construction engineering at Iowa State University.
While he highly approved of the topics in general, “I
was especially impressed with the masonry mock-up wall
sections showing mistakes that typically can occur
during construction,” Porter said. The mockups
were part of the popular Codes and Standards class.
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| IMI Plaster
Instructor John Totten, left, gives some pointers
to Robert Alesandro of Local 4 NJ as other BAC
and IMI instructors look on. |
A combination of classes
and hands-on sessions helps to create well-informed,
well-rounded instructors in the BAC/IMI training
system. From left, Russell Wade of Local 1 CT,
instructor Keith Harris of Local 9 PA, Mike Dolinar
of Local 15 MO/KS, Bob Allison of Local 13 NV,
and James Pimental of Local 3 MA cover the many
facets of the PCC trade. |
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