Services to Skilled Trades
Facilities technician repairing plumbing
Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) is dedicated to building and maintaining a world-class physical environment through design and construction, environmental health and safety, and operations, to advance the university’s mission of teaching, learning, research, and patient care (https://fod.osu.edu).
Likewise, Student Life Facilities services is committed to providing the “highest quality services and facilities for Ohio State students, staff and guests that promote safe and healthy environments for living, learning, working and relaxing, while promoting quality opportunities for staff growth and development” (https://fml.osu.edu).
In alignment to these missions, university leadership is committed to the professional growth and career development of their employees. Sponsored by The Ohio State University and The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, the Facilities Maintenance Associate Trainee Program is designed to provide current Ohio State CWA service employees interested in the field of skilled trades an opportunity to gain the education and experience needed to transition into a career within facilities maintenance.
Watch the following video to learn more about the Facilities Maintenance Associate Trainee Program and what Ohio State Employees do on the job every day.
High Performance Learning Journey
Based on an adaptation of the High-Performance Learning Journey framework (Brinkerhoff, Apking, & Boon, 2019), this program combines immersive learning courses through Interplay Learning SkillMill and structured on-the-job training (OJT) designed to prepare trainees for employment as entry-level maintenance workers.
Essential components of the program include the alignment between learning, transfer, and performance achieved through robust, engaging eLearning instruction, integrated supervised application and mentorship on the job, active learning opportunities, and timely feedback to ensure employees acquire fundamental core competencies required for promotion into the Facilities Maintenance Associate position. High Performance Learning Journey pdf: HPLJ Graphic
High Performance Learning Journey
Program Components
The Facilities Maintenance Associate Program has five core components: The employee learner cohort, eLearning curriculum track using Interplay Learning SkillMill and BuckeyeLearn, scaffolded and Structured-On-the-Job-Training (OJT) provided by a skilled Mentor-Trainer, learning transfer through job practice and feedback, and supervised OJT Assessment of the learner’s proficiency in knowledge and critical skills. Facilities Maintenance Associate Trainee Program Components pdf: FMAT Program Components Graphic
Facilities Maintenance Associate Trainee Program Components
Learning Goal
After completing the Facilities and Maintenance Associate Trainee Program, participating employees will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in core areas of the skilled trades defined by the responsibilities and duties of the job description for an entry level role as a Facilities and Maintenance Associate.
Learning Outcomes
In alignment with the Facilities Maintenance Associate Trainee and Facilities Maintenance Associate job descriptions, upon the completion of this learning program, participating employees will be able to:
- Demonstrate values of integrity and personal accountability promoting a culture of professionalism in the workplace.
- Demonstrate verbal, written, and electronic communication skills among customers, co- workers, and supervisors in the workplace.
- Demonstrate critical safety practices and procedures appropriate to the working environment. Respond to emergency situations arising in the work environment.
- Perform preventative and general maintenance and repair of buildings and equipment. Prepare detailed documentation using written and/or electronic mediums
- Evaluate corrective actions to address defects observed in the work environment.
- Apply proper procedures for entry level installations associated with facilities maintenance in the work environment.
- Conduct daily inspections under the supervision of a senior technician or supervisor.
Learner Support
Adult learning theories suggest adult learners value learning when they are prepared to learn, involved in the process of learning, and their learning experience is both positive and encouraging. Learner support is an important piece of the learning process during instruction and training, but also beyond the boundaries of the program to ensure learners are well informed of expectations and receive the help, guidance, and feedback they need to be successful in the program.
The Facilities Maintenance Associate Trainee Program provides learning support and assistance through a comprehensive orientation, professional skills training (i.e., customer service, time management, learning-to learn strategies, and adult basic math), and mentorship support on the job as learners progress through the program.