Our team of dedicated professionals supports the university’s mission by ensuring that facilities are safe, operational, and maintained to the highest standards. We focus on hands-on training, professional growth, and fostering a collaborative learning environment across multiple skilled trade areas, including Facilities Maintenance, Electric and Electronics, Building Facilities Systems HVAC, and Mechanical Systems.
Animated informational video about the Skilled Trades Professional Development Program
Program Purpose
Through hands-on training, professional development, and collaborative teamwork, we support each member of our skilled trades team members in advancing their skills and contributing to the university’s mission. Sponsored by The Ohio State University and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the Skilled Trades Professional Development Program is a high-performance learning journey designed for employees to achieve their professional career aspirations through relevant, engaging learning experiences.
Watch the video to learn more! A transcript of the video and additional information and resources are provided in the Resources Section.
Skilled Trades Areas
Building Facilities Systems HVAC
Our HVAC specialists ensure the comfort and air quality within university buildings. Focusing on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, the team is trained in maintaining and optimizing climate control systems.
Electric and Electronics
Skilled electricians and electronics technicians play a vital role in powering our campus. This area covers a spectrum of skills, from wiring and circuitry to troubleshooting and repairing electrical and electronic systems across university facilities.
Facilities Maintenance
Our Facilities Maintenance team is essential in keeping the university’s buildings in top condition. From routine repairs to complex installations, our technicians manage a wide range of maintenance tasks, ensuring a functional and comfortable environment for all.
Mechanical Systems: Rotary Equipment, Plumbing, and Steam and Pipefitting
The Mechanical Systems team maintains the core operational systems, focusing on rotary equipment, plumbing, and steam and pipefitting. This skilled trade is integral in keeping all systems functional and safe, from water systems to high-pressure steam.
Restoration and Renovation
The Restoration and Renovation team is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the university’s buildings and spaces. From carpentry and finishing to firestopping and flooring repairs, our skilled technicians ensure that each facility reflects Ohio State’s commitment to excellence and beauty.
Skilled Trades Program Components
The Skill Trades Professional Development Program is a two-year high-performance learning journey involving a two-phase approach for learning a specialized trade.
Performance-Based Mentorship
The Mentorship Program is performance-based and critical to the success of the Skilled Trades Program. Primary mentors are skilled technicians that facilitate the learning process of their mentees by providing hands-on instruction and support.
- Mentors receive and hourly differential for mentoring during a renewable six-month period except for periods of paid time-off, holiday, leave etc.
- They will receive the differential during their entire work shift – even when they are not specifically training their mentee.
- Selected employees must participate in mandatory Mentor Training.
- Mentor performance will be evaluated monthly based on criterion for mentor qualities and effectiveness.
- Poor performance will result in non-renewal with recommendations for training to further develop their skills, so they will have the opportunity to mentor in the future.
Phase I: Structured On-the-Job Training (First Year)
Structured-on-the-job-training (SOJT) is a “planned process of developing competence on units of work by having an experienced employee train a novice employee at the work setting (field) or a location that closely resembles the work setting (Jacobs, 2003).” It is an on-the-job (OJT) training methodology that makes the hands-on learning process more effective when followed in either setting. SOJT and ‘hands-on’ task assessments are performed in a lab or controlled learning environment facilitated by a skilled technician mentor. The SOJT process involves the following:
- As trainee learns specific tasks associated with ‘hands-on’ assessments, mentors will record each practice session for the task in the CMS.
- After several practice sessions, the trainee will independently perform the specific task under the supervision of their manager and mentor.
- Managers and mentors will assess the trainee’s performance of the hands-on task using the procedural steps outlined in the CMS.
- Data from the CMS will be used to create a dashboard to aid the manager in monitoring the trainee’s progress for course completion, SOJT, and task assessments.
During the SOJT phase, trainees will also follow a standardized core curriculum designed for knowledge building. The curriculum consists primarily of eLearning and may include Instructor-Led (ILT) training courses foundational to skilled trade concepts. During the first year, trainees will focus on competency building – learning essential skills that meet performance expectations for a designated job position.
Trainees must complete courses on their own time – off the clock!
Managers will use a dashboard to assess and monitor the trainee’s progress on their course completion and task assessments based on a standard criterion. They will also conduct monthly developmental “check-in” evaluations with the trainee’s to support their progress and ensure their success in the program.
Phase II: Practical On-the Job Training (Second Year)
The second phase of training involves Practical On-the-Job Training (POJT). POJT takes place in an authentic work environment (e.g., field/shop), with scaffolded training assistance from the mentor. Whereas in the SOJT environment trainees learn critical technical skills in a controlled learning environment, in the POJT environment trainees will advance their technical skills in a practical or experiential learning environment. In this environment, they develop their proficiency – mastery of skills learned over time.
This learning phase is designed to broaden the trainee’s knowledge and skills through authentic application, this phase focuses on more task independence. While the trainee is still supported with assistance from their mentor when needed, they have more degrees of freedom in performing tasks. These experiences expose learners to more complexity; enabling them to acquire better critical thinking and troubleshooting skills through situational experiences.
To ensure trainees are developing proficiency in performing job tasks, it is important managers regularly evaluate trainees on Key Proficiency Metrics (KPMs) during the POJT phase. Managers will use reports generated from the CMS, observation, and feedback from their mentors and colleagues on their performance.
Resources
Skilled Trades Professional Development Program Flyer
2024 Skilled Trades Professional Development Program FAQs
2024 Program Candidate Application
Skilled Trades Professional Development Program Video Transcript
Contact:
FOD Operations Training and Development