Big changes for the Iowa DOT’s Technical Training and Certification Program
Iowa has one of the best-trained construction inspection workforces in the nation. Making sure our roads are being constructed properly has long-reaching implications, both in terms of how long the road will last and how safe the road will be. Investing in training our inspectors in the latest techniques keeps Iowa moving toward a world class transportation system.
But we didn’t get where we are overnight. Over the past 40 years, the Iowa DOT’s training program has grown from one employee certified to test aggregates used in highway construction to more than 4,000 certified technicians holding close to 14,000 certifications in various fields related to building your transportation system.
The technicians taking these classes work for the Iowa DOT, counties, cities, contractors, producers, and consultants. As the training program has progressed and changed, so has the way the program is managed. Fifteen years ago, the Iowa DOT joined forces with the Des Moines Area Community College to assist with continuing to increase the amount and quality of training. Between December and May 2015, more than 300 classes were held with more than 3,000 hours of instruction.
As technology in the construction industry is updated, so is the technology used in the classroom setting. Since many of the Iowa DOT materials sources, specifications, plans, and other information are only being made available electronically, the technicians in the training courses need to be familiar with using electronic devices for work that is part of their certifications. Training sessions are now planned that will make computers available in certain classes for attendees to practice looking up information and completing reports online. Computers will be available for the classes at DMACC’s Boone campus now, and hopefully for field classes within the next couple of years.
The Iowa DOT is piloting computer-based exams in some locations for the 2015/2016 training season and plans to have electronic testing in all locations by 2017. The exam questions will be taken from a pool of questions and each computer will create a unique exam. The technician will know the test score immediately after completion, and that score will go directly into the Iowa DOT’s new learning management system (LMS), set to be implemented this month. Look for specific information that will be emailed to all employees in the coming weeks.
The Iowa DOT’s LMS will benefit all technicians by allowing them to access their training records, search a course catalog of all available training, print their certifications as soon as the class is completed, and best of all, registrations will be done electronically by the applicant. Since the system will be online, it can be accessed by any computer with Internet access so long as the applicant has current login information.
Not only are the training methods being updated, the training facilities are also being upgraded. Anyone taking classes at DMACC’s Boone campus will the school has has updated its classrooms, and they now provide separate labs for aggregate and hot-mix asphalt, and Portland cement concrete classes. They will also have new training stations equipped with new big screen smart TVs. The Iowa DOT office used for training in Cedar Rapids has also been updated with similar equipment.
Whether it’s for a new certification or a recertification be prepared for some changes. The Iowa DOT’s training coordinators are working hard to give those responsible for keeping our bridges and roads safe the best learning experience possible.