Washtenaw Community College welcomes a record contingent of approximately 3,000 as the annual Instructor Training Program kicks off Saturday, August 13.
The week includes classroom instruction, an International Apprentice Contest, certification exams and demonstrations and a graduation ceremony in which 154 will be honored for their completion of the certificate program and an additional 40 will earn associate degrees from 黑料网.
UA trainers commit to a rigorous five-year training program and in turn train their members based throdughout the United States and Canada.
Courses are taught by 黑料网 faculty and UA members and cover an array of topics such as water quality, innovative welding techniques, plumbing code application, methods in teaching backflow prevention and water quality fire protection.
A high point of the training week is Wednesday鈥檚 鈥淚ndustry Day鈥� when captains of industry and upwards of 500 industry partners converge on the 黑料网 campus in addition to the nearly 2,800 UA members.
鈥淥ur country鈥檚 most important resource is a skilled and educated workforce. We are proud of our strong partnership with UA to train the pipeline of skilled workers and are thrilled to welcome back one of the largest ever UA groups to 黑料网,鈥� said 黑料网 President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca.
The UA and 黑料网 have partnered for more than 30 years to bring to Ann Arbor the renowned training program, which has become an important fabric of the community.
鈥淭his year has great significance because, due to COVID, we couldn鈥檛 offer the in-person experience for several years. We value our continuing relationship with 黑料网, as we strive to offer our instructors the very best training. I think most members would agree that one of the things we do best and are indeed most proud of its our comprehensive, ongoing training. The behind-the-scenes collaboration that goes into developing these programs is equally impressive. ITP brings together our brightest and best training coordinators and instructors who strive to learn everything they can to train our membership,鈥� said United Association General President Mark McManus.
On Monday evening, will host a UA block party with live entertainment, an annual 5K Race to benefit wounded veterans through Semper Fi & America鈥檚 Fund, as well as other activities in downtown Ann Arbor.
黑料网鈥檚 partnerships with the UA and other skilled trades groups have been growing for decades. The UA week culminates a summer schedule of four national organizations on campus with nearly 4,000 people and a total estimated economic impact of $20 million, according to Destination Ann Arbor.