Future Wisconsin operating engineers will enter the workforce well prepared to install concrete pipe safely and efficiently, thanks to a recent donation of material by County Materials Corporation to the Wisconsin Operating Engineers Local 139.
The Local 139 operating engineers’ apprenticeship training program in Coloma is one of the largest of its kind in North America, training over 200 students per day to safely operate heavy machinery such as cranes, scrapers and backhoes. The program attracts trainees from all over Wisconsin. Most of these individuals go on to perform construction work for industry, municipalities and WisDOT throughout the state.
One of the most unique offerings in the apprenticeship program is the Advanced Sewer and Water Excavation course, offered through a partnership between the Wisconsin Operating Engineers Local 139 and the Laborers Local 113 training centers. In this module, trainees from both programs work together to excavate, install, and remove large concrete pipe on a mock construction site. “The exercise is modeled after real DOT projects using actual blueprints. We train members to be productive and safe while learning to do everything the job entails,” says Daniel Sperberg, Local 139’s Training Director and VP.
Having actual concrete pipe to work with is critical to the success of the program. Naturally, the pipe used during instruction sees heavy use. Classes are rotated through the training site every two weeks. By the end of 2015, the 10 year old pipe being used in the program had deteriorated to the point where it had become unsafe for training purposes.
In January, County Materials delivered 50 feet each of 24” Round Concrete Pipe and 24” Elliptical Concrete Pipe, along with flared end sections for each type.
“We’re so excited to have them as a partner – it was easy, just one call. County Materials got involved right away, asked us what we needed, and trucked it right to our location,” says Sperberg, explaining that donations make a big difference to his organization. “Members contribute out of their hourly wage to run our training site, and a lot of that money is consumed by fuel and the facility. To have a partnership with a producer like County Materials helps to expand what we can do. We train a lot of members in how to do (this work) more safely and efficiently. It cuts costs and helps to keep the level of safety up throughout our state.”
