Ironworkers and their contractors have been erecting wind turbines for many years. To meet the needs of the industry, the Iron Workers International has always maintained a wind turbine training strategy, ensuring that Ironworkers have the needed knowledge and skills to safely and efficiently erect wind turbines. That strategy includes the following training components:
- Information on wind turbine erection in the "Structural Steel Erection" training package
- Information in the "Structural Steel Erection" training package focusing on bolt torque and tensioning
- "Rigging for Ironworkers" training package to teach heavy rigging procedures
- "Cranes" training package to teach to the use of cranes (including signaling)
This training strategy has provided Ironworkers with not only wind turbine erection market share, but also the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and efficiently erect wind turbines for decades.
According to input from many wind industry signatory contractors, there is a growing need for Ironworkers to have third party, nationally recognized training certifications in several areas. These areas include wind turbine tower climbing and rescue, as well as bolt torque and tension training.
The IMPACT partnership with the Francis Tuttle Technology Center (FTTC) was built to provide "just in time training" to Ironworkers and meet the expressed needs of our contractors.
Due to the interest in all of the courses in 2010, IMPACT has scheduled four courses for 2011 (one course each quarter). The dates for those courses are:
- Monday, 07 March—Thursday, 10 March
- Monday, 06 June—Thursday, 09 June
- Monday, 29 August—Thursday, 01 September
- Monday, 24 October—Thursday, 27 October
- A Local Union or contractor can schedule a "private" course by calling the IMPACT office at least 45 days in advance of the date they would like the course to be held
Note: It takes a minimum of six Ironworkers to conduct a course, but no more than ten.
For more information about how to register Ironworkers for a course, contact the IMPACT office at (800) 545-4921.