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iFTI Updates

The latest from the International Finishing Trades Institute.
Having problems on LMS? Click HERE to let us know so we can promptly get them fixed.

Headlines

LMS 2.0 is LIVE

The iFTI launched an upgrade of the LMS on January 6, 2021. As with the launch of any new major system, we are transitioning to new features, and working closely with the LMS administrators as well as the LMS programming team to ensure a smooth transition and early adoption for our members. A second phase webinar for all LMS Admin will be conducted early in the first quarter of 2021 and will cover admin widgets including the Learning Path, My Certifications pathway and the Certification widget.

The new LMS 2.0

Updates, Fixes, and Patches to the LMS

Issue 1: Admin Cannot Reset Password
Error: Username does not meet the minimum requirements.
Status: Fixed - 9-digit error message/fix posted on newsletter.

Issue 2: Password Reset Email Not Received
Error: The inbox and spam mailboxes do not receive the LMS password reset email.
Status: Fixed – Check spam folder. The change in the iFTI mailing address fixed the internal security blocks set by the IT department.

Issue 3: Missing Leaderboard
Error: The leaderboard does not show up on the My Account page.
Status: Temporarily disabled. The feature causes some slowness (additional 10 secs due to backend processing) to load the page. Programmers are addressing the speed issues before turning the feature back on.

Issue 4: Changing the Culture of Construction
Error: An error has occurred managing your lesson data. If you continue, your activity may no longer be saved. It is recommended that your CLOSE THIS LESSON and relaunch it. ERROR IN LAUNCHED CONTENT.
Status: Fixed – If users are still seeing the errors on their screen, they need to clear cache. Click the links to see the instructions.

Clear Cache on Windows Computer
How to Clear Cache on Any Browser

Escalated issues are compiled in an LMS Alert on the homepage. Continue using the Contact US form to inform us about any questions/errors.

UPDATED LMS LESSONS

The following courses have been updated from FLASH to HTML5.

COR 1004I Basic Mathematics and Measurements (Instructor Access)
COR 1004S Basic Mathematics and Measurements (Student Access)
GLZ 5413 Locks and Bolts (Assessment)
GLZ 5415 Panic Hardware (Assessment)
GLZ 5405 Structural Glazing (Assessment)

COURSE HIGHLIGHT - CAS Test Prep

The course materials and online lessons are found in CAS 2101 Coating Application Specialist (CAS) Examination Preparation. The theoretical framework of the CAS Examination Preparation course is based on the iFTI’s Industrial Applicator Training Program. This course will review the major topics that will be covered on the examination as well as provide students with sample test questions and general test taking strategies to insure that the student is properly prepared for the CAS examination.

Lesson 1 --CAS Exam Overview
Lesson 2 --Exam Content, Test Taking Strategies
Lesson 3 --Skills Assessment Overview – Abrasive Blast and Airless Spray
Lesson 4 -- Panoramic and Virtual Tour
Lesson 5 --Sample Written Exam Questions

THIRD PARTY COURSES

NEW COURSES

SPN 1009 Aspectos Basicos de las Finanzas Comerciales– Part of the Vubiz bundle.

COR 1038 Accessibility Standards – Used to be COR 1038 Excel: Proposal Preparation & Analysis for Engineers and Architects* – Sunset Course/No Longer Available and was sunset by Red Vector. This course is now part of the Vubiz bundle.

CAN 1254 Anti-Spam Law* (Canada) – Part of the Vubiz bundle.

CAN 1111 Confined Space Entry* (Canada) – Part of the Vubiz bundle.

CAN 1253 Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act* (Canada) – Part of the Vubiz bundle.

CAN 1197 Fall Prevention Fall Arrest* (Canada) – Used to be part of the Red Vector bundle with the old course name of COR 174 Occupational Safety Training Fall Protection. It is now part of the Vubiz bundle.

SPN 1265 Gestion de Cambio– Part of the Vubiz bundle.

CAN 1108 Ladder Safety* (Canada) – Part of Vubiz bundle.

FRE 1108 Les Echelles en Toute Securite* – Part of Vubiz bundle.

SPN 1261 Liderazgo Efectivo* – Contains 5 Spanish Leadership courses and part of the Vubiz bundle.

CAN 1215 Primer on Privacy* (Canada) – Part of the Vubiz bundle.

COR 1024 Green Building Materials*

COR 1046 Basic Blueprint Reading*

COR 1047 Sexual Harassment: Respecting the Individual*

COR 163 General Industry Safety - Confined Spaces*

COR 164 Worksite Safety 03: OSHA Fall Protection*

COR 165 Safe Forklift Operation*

COR 166 General Industry Safety - Hazard Communication*

COR 167 General Industry Safety - Hearing Conservation*

COR 168 Rigging: Basic Lifting*

COR 169 Mold Basics*

COR 170 General First Aid*

COR 171 Workplace Ergonomics*

COR 172 Worksite Safety 08: OSHA Power Tools and Excavations*

COR 173 OSHA Safety: Stairways and Ladders*

COR 174 Occupational Safety Training Fall Protection*

COR 175 Respiratory Protection*

COR 176 Electrical Safety*

COR 177 Lockout/Tagout*

UPDATED eLEARNING LESSONS/UPLOADED COURSE MATERIALS
COR 1249 Healthy Workplace Culture* – Used to be COR 1249 Team Building. This course was switched from the Red Vector bundle and now part of the Vubiz bundle.

COR 1241 Networking Your Career Path – Used to be COR 1241 Networking and Relationship Building*. This course was switched from the Red Vector bundle and now part of the Vubiz bundle.

COR 1248 Problem Solving* – Used to be COR 1248 Smart Quality*. This course was switched from the Red Vector bundle and now part of the Vubiz bundle.

RED VECTOR SUNSET COURSES
The Red Vector bundle is no longer offered. Affected courses have been locked as of December 31, 2020.

New Programs of Study

The Programs of Study and Course List have been updated to reflect the change in third party course offerings. The course list is found in My Account>Learning Activities (Courses)>*LMS Admin> Go> Course Materials > All Course Codes and Names in the LMS (Last Updated 022120)

New Course Codes and Course Names

CAN 1101C Worker Health and Safety in 4 Steps (Canada)

Hour/s: 1

This training introduces workers to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It focuses on the health and safety rights and responsibilities of workers, supervisors, and employers. It also serves as a general introduction to workplace health and safety (Certification Period: Permanent).

New Course Material

How to Stop Sexual Harassment Once & For All
eBook published by Media Partners

Description: Eradicating sexual harassment from the workplace requires a thorough understanding of where we are now and where we need to be. To achieve success, organizations need effective training and strategies for gaining an organization-wide commitment to change.

The eBook explores:

Current sexual harassment statistics
Why prevention efforts of the past have fallen short
How to overcome employee resistance and improve training outcomes
Tips for impacting change at the organizational, managerial and employee levels

The eBook has been uploaded in the following courses:

C57 1001 Sexual Harassment (Classroom-DC 57)
C81 1001 Sexual Harassment (Classroom-DC 81)
FTI 1008 Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
COR 1253C Sexual Harassment Prevention for Field Managers and Supervisors (California AB 1825)(CERTIFICATION)*
COR 1001 Sexual Harassment*

MENTORSHIP MATTERS

Mentorship matters! Ask any of our recent class participants why they think mentorship matters after attending a two-day Mentorship Matters Train-the-Trainer at the International Training Center.

Many of the participants remember being lucky enough to have had a mentor sometime in their personal or professional life. The IUPAT recognizes that mentors play a crucial role not only in the trade skills development of an apprentice, but also the soft skills development that comes from the relationship and communication between a mentor and a mentee.

This program, presented by SkillPlan, is designed to provide the participants with hands-on learning and practice to improve communication and jobsite training through two programs; the Six Steps to Mentoring for the mentor, and the Six Skills for Apprentices/Members. Attendees of this class actively participated in the discussions and activities of the class and concluded with small groups providing teach-backs of the course material in preparation for implementing the program locally.

Mentorship in the trades is emerging as one of the most critical elements in workforce development. The construction industry is estimated to lose up to 20 % of skilled tradespeople to retirement over the next decade leading to skilled labor challenges. While this situation presents advancement opportunities for younger workers, it gives rise to increasing demand for rapid skills development.

The core of the Mentorship training program is divided into two four-hour workshops. One workshop, will help journeypersons define mentorship, learn the qualities of a good mentor, and to understand the role that mentorship has in developing on the job skills, quality, safety, and productivity. The second program is for the mentee apprentice. They will learn how and when to ask questions of their mentor, how to communicate effectively, set goals, and the importance of a strong work ethic.

The ideal implementation of this course will include not only the apprentices and instructors of our district councils, but also the Directors of Training, employers and contractors, etc., who are looking for mentors willing to teach, provide feedback, demonstrate ethical work practices, and generally, provide professional (and sometimes personal) guidance to our member workers. Introducing our members to this program as a mentee will form a pathway for them to grow into the role of a mentor for the next generation.

Benefits of a mentor/mentee relationship include mutual feelings of inspiration, respect, and confidence and job satisfaction. This results in a work force that will be able to attract and retain new members in a lifelong career with the IUPAT.

Notable

Electrostatic Sprayer Fact Sheet

The use of electrostatic sprayers for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are potentially or known to be contaminated with a virus have been identified as an alternative disinfection method. Electrostatic sprayers are typically used by custodians or other units tasked with disinfecting large areas.

Download the University of Washington Fact Sheet on Electrostatic Sprayers HERE.