D EC E M B ER 2 0 13
Expanding opportunities By Randy Park. Director, UDOT Project Development
INSIDE:
UDOT University is a centralized effort to bring all training offered at the department under one organizational umbrella. Many people at UDOT are working together to create an inventory of
PAGE 3: First Governor’s
existing training and also create new opportunities through UDOT U. UDOT U is organized and operated similar to a regular university with four colleges, a course catalog, registration and a calendar. Each college is headed by a Dean. Colleges house multiple schools headed by subject matter experts who help identify the training needs of the employees in the specialty area of that school.
Transportation Summit added a new dimension to the UDOT Annual Conference. PAGE 4: Training to be a Transtech: providing the right training resources helps Trans-techs “step into a role quickly,” says Jeff Sadler. PAGE 6: See a chart of UDOT U leaders.
udot.utah.gov/udotu
Randy Park, Director, UDOT Project Development
The organization structure of UDOT U produces programs that go beyond the typical classes most people think of as training.
Deans have the responsibility to lead the subject matter experts in each school in developing new training opportunities and to also make training more relevant and accessible. Organizing training in this systematic way will help training development focused on the needs of employees.
Training is a core element at UDOT; many divisions have developed comprehensive training programs, much offered on-the-job, to meet specific needs. For example, one of UDOT’s premier programs, the Transportation Education Program is now making use of a new online manual that features updated information and embedded videos and many of the ongoing TEP training requirements are being put online via Adobe Connect. These improvements mean training needs can be addressed efficiently all across the state. The organizational structure of UDOT U produces programs that go beyond the
Continued page 2.
UDOT Annual Conference Along with a lineup of interesting, relevant topics, the UDOT Conference offered attendees a new pre-conference option — the Governor’s Transportation Summit. The summit included remarks from Governor
The general sessions and break-outs were videotaped
Herbert, and panel discussions with policy-
and will be posted on UDOT U’s Youtube Channel.
makers and local business leaders on important issues facing Utah and the nation. Topics included current challenges, funding issues and transportation and the economy.
Summaries of some presentations were posted on the UDOT Blog, including an overview of remarks from Director Carlos Braceras and Deputy Director Shane Marshall, and photos and results from the
Organizers anticipate holding the event next
Canstruction Competition.
year.
News from Randy Park, continued... typical classes most people think of as training. The Annual UDOT Conference benefitted from the organization as well. Each of the four colleges prioritized the training needs of their specialty area to put forward the most relevant topics at the conference this year. While the conference has always been awesome, having UDOT U be the organizational structure for the conference ensures that the most current and useful topics will be addressed at the yearly event.
CurƟs Sanchez, UDOT Equipment Safety Trainer
2
In the last issue of the UDOT U news, UDOT Director Carlos Braceras stressed his commitment to the importance of training. Having a director who fully backs training needs is one Having a director reason UDOT is viewed as a who fully backs premier agency.
training needs is
I can tell you that when Carlos receives accolades for one reason UDOT is the good work done at viewed as a premier UDOT, he always gives credit agency. where it’s due – to the forward-thinking employees who take their responsibilities seriously. Giving all employees the chance to get the training they need to stay on top of their duties is the main goal of UDOT U.
About this Newsletter This quarterly newsletter is about UDOT University, a clearinghouse of training courses that allows all UDOT employees – engineers, support staff, technicians and communicators – to find opportunities to meet workplace training needs at the Utah Department of Transportation.
The UDOT Annual Conference is a chance to network with others in the transportation industry and to find out about new technology. Above left, attendees chat between breakout sessions. Right, a researcher
UDOT U also provides funding to develop training. To share ides for articles, photos
explains his project.
or other feedback:
Get a license to learn
Catherine Higgins chiggins@utah.gov
UDOT University offers training through Lynda.com.
801 803-9413. For questions or more
You don’t need to go any farther than you own work
information about training at
station to find software training through UDOT U.
UDOT:
Lynda.com offers training on Excel, Word, SharePoint,
Richard Murdock
MS Project and many other commonly used software. UDOT has purchased licence to use the training programs.
richardmurdock@utah.gov 801 633-8131.
To sign up contact Lynn Starley at 801-965-2569 or lstarley@utah.gov.
UDOT.Utah.gov/UDOTU
Lynn Starley 3
A RE
YOU QUALIFIED ?
UDOT’s Transportation Education Program is an excellent and nationally known program that prepares Transportation Technicians to perform maintenance and construction tasks.
Many Trans-techs move back and forth between maintenance and construction by driving a snow plow in the winter and working in a construction spring through fall, and skill building is critical for the workers. The transportation industry is dynamic and changes in new equipment, materials used in construction, updated standards and specifications mean that Trans-techs always need to be on top of their game.
The UDOT Central Maintenance Division works hard to provide accessible, relevant training by working with other transportation training and community based organizations, using experienced trainers to provide inhouse training, and working to make all training accessible to over 8 hundred employees working all over the state.
Providing the right training resources helps Trans-techs “step into a role quickly,” says Jeff Sadler, Training Coordinator for UDOT. Trans-techs can move from construction to maintenance from week to week and they need to perform the various duties, from driving a plow to pulling samples, at a high level.
It’s academic The first step for new transportation technicians is to attend the Transportation Technician Academy held twice
Right photo: an trainer demonstrates how to sample fill. Left photo: Trans-techs are on hand at project construction sites to watch work and collect material samples. 4
Right photo: a trainer tests a Trans-tech student on how to do a pre-ride check. Left photo: Ira Bickford, Training Manager in UDOT Central Maintenance.
each year in the spring and fall. The academy is a way to make sure new workers are capable to perform the core duties needed to take care of the transportation system. Ira Bickford, Training Manager and Curtis Sanchez, Equipment Safety Trainer at UDOT organize the training. Maintenance workers act as the trainers at the academy. Some trainers have up to 25 years of experience. Trainers teach a wide range of UDOT functions, from operating equipment to materials testing. The academy lasts for two weeks. The first week is spent in a classroom. The hands-on work comes in the second week when the academy takes students out of the classroom to simulate field work. Trans-Techs spend two days learning how to operate or practice operating heavy equipment and learning how to sample construction materials. Students move through a series of
learning modules manned by experienced trainers who test their skills. Each student has a check-off sheet that will go with them to the job site. If more training or experience is needed, a supervisor or trainer will follow up with that new employee to develop skills and knowledge. Many have construction and maintenance experience already or have worked in a related industry. The Transportation Education Program has two sections with four levels each. Trans-techs take one level of long and short courses each year during November through March. UDOT partners with the Salt Lake Community College on long courses that teach knowledge and skills needed for construction. Trans-techs need to figure the surface area of stock piles or communicate with others about project details. 5
Students move through a series of learning modules manned by experienced trainers who test their skills. Continued, page 6.
Are you qualified? Continued from page 6.
Some Trans-techs take courses in person at the college campus, but many take classes in a remote location via videotaped classes which are made available by DVD or online.
UDOT U ORGANIZATION UDOT.Utah.gov/UDOTU
BOARD of TRUSTEES
PROVOST
Randy Park, Chair
Richard Manser
Becky Bradshaw
Kris Peterson
ADMINISTRATIVE VP
Cory Pope
Nathan Lee
Richard Murdock
Jason Davis
Cory Pope
Short courses during the of topics that cover activities in maintenance and construction. UDOT offers a “huge diversity” of training, says Saddler. And training topics are expanding and constantly evolving to address the needs of the dynamic transportation industry.
year cover a wide variety
UDOT offers a huge diversity of training, and training topics are expanding and constantly evolving to address the needs of the dynamic transportation industry.
UDOT looks to membership in the Transportation Curriculum Coordinating Council to cooperatively develop training. The TCCC is an AASHTO Technical Services Program, and Saddler has been on a subcommittee tasked with developing training since 2003. Affiliating with the group helps UDOT provide a wide variety of relevant classes to support the demands of training for a quickly-changing transportation environment.
COLLEGE of ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Jim Gorac, Dean COLLEGE of PROJECT DELIVERY Lisa Wilson, Dean
Right now, Sadler is working to put all training online via Adobe Connect. Having classes online will improve convenience for employees and save department funding.
COLLEGE of PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Cameron Kergaye, Dean COLLEGE of OPERATIONS Lloyd Neeley, Dean
6