Untitled Document

Back to school for new maintenance foremen

New ITD maintenance foremen from throughout the state recently participated in department training designed to help them better navigate maintenance policies, procedures and reference materials.

The Maintenance Academy Level 3 training was an intensive three-day program offered in Boise that featured 18 presenters and covered 16 different topics. Eighteen participants learned about maintenance strategies and practices, roles and responsibilities to the public and ITD, expectations of a foreman and available resources and support.

Training topics and presentations covered a wide range of department activities:

(Maintenance) Construction and Design
Environmental; Maintenance Materials
Winter Maintenance
RWIS and CARS 511 (511 Traveler Services)
Work plans, including budgeting, planning and scheduling
Equipment Management
Procurement
Fuel Systems; Safety
Emergency Response
Traffic Control
Personnel, including employment law, department policies and procedures
Communications, including dealing with conflict, mentoring and problem solving
Public Relations, and
Right of Way

“Our training material is based on the needs of the employee,” said Joe Tamasco, training specialist for ITD’s Division of Highways. “Materials change along with job classifications and the needs of the job. Training is an on-going work in progress.”

Level 3 training concludes a three-tiered Maintenance Academy that ITD’s Division of Highways Maintenance Steering Committee, with the assistance of the Training Section, has been developing since late 2004. Maintenance Academy training is meant to augment traditional on-the-job training with specific coursework and information for new maintenance employees, lead workers and foremen.

Level 1 training is recommended for all new maintenance employees and is a prerequisite for additional Maintenance Academy training, Tamasco said.

The training takes place over two days and begins with an introduction for new employees and background on maintenance policies and procedures. The second day concentrates on truck and loader operation, including practical field applications.

Level 2 training, is still under assessment for development by the Maintenance Steering Committee.

The Division of Highways Technical Training Catalog outlines courses that are available for maintenance specialties.

Level 3 Maintenance Academy participants:

Janelle Catlin, HQ	Robin Freeman, D-3	Douglas Thorpe, D-5
Eric Copeland, D-3	Wallace Brown, D-1	Claylon Perkins, D-5
Dan Davis, D-3	Gregory Johnston, D-3	Kori Hansen, D-6
Dave Palmer, D-1	Allen Knight, D-4	Mark Christenson, D-6
Gene Anderson, D-1	Ed Hansen , D-5	George Cole, D-4
David Dansereau, D-3	Ron Atchley, D-6	Jarrett Porter, D-4