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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2006)
Training center teaches apprentices how to build bridges — literally It’s not often that you will find a section of bridge at a training center. But that’s exactly what the Willamette Carpenters Training Center has erected on the back lot at its new facil- ity in Northeast Portland. “To my knowledge, we’re the only training center that has an actual bridge for apprentices to work on,” said Dan Voight, bridge building in- structor and author of the 40-hour course curriculum. “Our bridge build- ing class has been created with not just virtual, but actual hands-on training.” There will be plenty of work for qualified hands. The Oregon Legislature approved a transportation bill in 2003 to, in part, replace and repair some 335 bridges around the state at a cost of approxi- mately $1.3 billion. Funding comes from increases in driver registration fees, titles and commercial truck weight-mile fees. The Oregon Department of Trans- portation, which is overseeing the work, has instituted a program to in- crease apprenticeship, minority and women participation on all of its bridge and highway projects. “There will be work for a decade,” said Bob Acker, president of Portland- based Pile Drivers and Divers Local 2416. The core element of the Carpen- ters’ bridge training is two 40-hour courses. The first course consists of layout and erection of the false work, including layout and erection of bents, X-bracing, beam caps and decks. Safety, hand rails and tie-offs also are covered. The erection of the actual box girder bridge is a separate 40-hour class. The deck is 14 feet high with a box girder bridge that is approxi- mately 40-feet by 30-feet, and ap- proximately 5 feet high. “After completion of this training, apprentices and journeymen and women will know bridge-building techniques and sequences. They will be able to walk onto a job site — un- derstand bridge terminology — and be ready to work,” said Voight. He has 30 years of bridge-building ex- perience as a member of Local 2416. The mock bridge is drawing a lot of attention to the training center. Several signatory contractors have attended classes and donated material and equipment (to the tune of $60,000) to ensure that specific con- struction methods for Oregon bridge structures are being used. Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors also have toured the structure, offering guidance on safety regulations and procedures. “We’ve had good participation from contractors and state agencies,” said John Schraner, apprenticeship co- ordinator for the training center. “I think it’s the most advanced training for bridge work anywhere in the Northwest.” The bridge-building course is a re- quired class for all apprentices. Acker said the Willamette Carpen- ters Training Center will train approxi- mately 350 apprentices in the basics of bridge building. The United Brotherhood of Car- penters and Joiners has invited Voight to teach bridge-building at the Carpen- ters Training Center in Las Vegas. He is currently working on a curriculum that will be utilized by Carpenter train- ing centers nationwide. Instructor Dan Voight (left) explains the basics of bridge building to apprentices Jim Bender, Raeleen Ross and Reid Stephens. The Willamette Carpenters Training Center has a section of a mock bridge constructed by apprentices on the back lot of its new facility in Northeast Portland. Teamsters Dental Center 1890 NE 162nd Ave. Portland, OR 503-257-9836 Teamsters Dental Center has been providing dental care to union members since 1979. The center was established with two goals in mind: • Providing dental service of high quality to our members • Reducing cost & co-pay to members & their family Family & Cosmetic Dentistry OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Open Saturdays • Crown & Bridge • Nitrous Oxide • Root Canal Therapy • Fillings/tooth restoration • Dental Implants • Extractions • Invisalign (braces) • Conscious & Unconscious sedation For your comfort we provide TV with headphones in each operatory After 26 years, we are proud to say that the Teamsters Dental Center is still going strong. We have just completed an extensive remodeling project, and are continuing to update our operatories with the latest that dental technology has to offer. All of our doctors are highly trained and we provide a full spectrum of dental services. By providing a broad range of services at our location we are providing our patients with the convenience of not having to travel to expensive specialists. All employees are members of Teamsters Local 162 and we take great pride in the fact that we are union-oriented. We support all different locals and their members. Over the years, we have developed great working relationships with insurance companies like BlueCrossBlueShield, Oregon Den- tal Service and OTET. Because of these relationships, we have been able to keep our fees 15% to 20% lower than other dental offices. We pass these savings on to our patients through lower out-of-pocket costs. Free bleaching to all new patients Value $375. (Offer good till March 31, 2006) Apprentices at the Willamette Carpenters Training Center, 4222 NE 158th Ave, Portland, get hands-on training in bridge-building from instructor Dan Voight. The section of bridge is constructed on the back lot of the training center as part of a required class for apprentices. Journey-level workers also can get skill-advancement training. Oregon has $1.3 billion earmarked for bridge building and repair over the next decade. PAGE 12 Cannot be combined with any other offer Compare Our Prices NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS CREDIT OAC Hours: 7 am - 6:30 pm FEBRUARY 17, 2006
