11th Annual Technical Update Workshop

The Resource Center held the Eleventh Annual Technical Update Workshop at the IBEW Training Facility in Birmingham on February 23-24, 2006. This was the first year the workshop included updates for automotive, collision repair, and electrical/electronics instructors as well as welding. Over 120 instructors and apprentice trainers attended the two-day workshops.

Presentations were given by Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric, ESAB Welding, Dupont Paint, Heathkit Educational Systems, Technical Training Aids, Rockwell Automation, I-CAR, The Alabama Center of Automotive Excellence, Birmingham IBEW, NAPA Tools, DeVilbiss Automotive, and Plumbers and Steamfitters Locals 760, 91, 372, and 52.

Others in attendance were Andy Godley (Alabama Power Company), Mr. Gregg Collins (Department of Labor), Randy Puryear (Southern Welding), and Jed Jones (Gulf States Saw).

The workshop was hosted by Birmingham Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. Special thanks to Bradley Hepinstall, Training Director, and Randy Bottomlee, Assistant Training Director, who helped coordinate and host the workshop.

The workshop was co-sponsored by Alabama Power Company, McAbee Construction Company, Local 372 - Tuscaloosa, Local 760 - Muscle Shoals, Local 52 - Montgomery, Local 91 - Birmingham, AWS Greater Huntsville Section, Birmingham AWS Chapter, AirGas, Gulf States Saw and Machine, Hardware Inc., and Southern Welding Supply.

Technical updates allow instructors to stay on top of what's happening in business and industry. It was a successful workshop this year. Take a look at the pictures below to see what everyone was involved in.

Workshop Location

Activities During the Two-Day Workshop

ESAB Trailer

Presenters

Lincoln Electric staff making a classroom presentation	Tom McClure, Miller Electric
Ernie Wakes, Heathkit	Shelia Hicks, Lincoln Electric (left); Randy Puryear, Southern Welding, (second from left); Stan Henn, Miller Electric, (right)
Kelvin Brown (right), ICAR	Steve Smith, Dupont
Tommy Hobbs (Lawson State Community College)	Stan Henn, Miller Electric

Electrical/Electronics Workshop Attendees

Automotive Workshop Attendees