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Instructor Training & Professional Development
Instructor development is vital to the success of Laborers’ training.
Without competently trained and skilled instructors our mission would
not be achieved. Laborers-AGC ‘s long and successful history in
Instructor Development provides a strong foundation to address the
diverse and complex needs of the 21st century instructor. The following
is Laborers-AGC's menu of programs that focus on those needs.
Annual Instructor Conference
Each year Laborers-AGC sponsors a weeklong conference where instructors
can come together to learn, discover, and share concepts and ideas. Each
conference is unique in its own way, but the common factor linking each
is a high level of energy and learning.
The conference highlights include a motivational beginning, four days
dedicated to extensive training in specific professional and technical
areas, and opportunities to learn about Laborers-AGC’s products and
services. Participants have the opportunity to select the training that
best meets their individual needs.
New
Instructor Training
This course provides new instructors with key “survival” skills that
will help build their confidence and enthusiasm in the classroom. The
focus is on presentation skills, basic principles of adult learning,
elements of trade teaching, and managing the learning environment.
Instructors are challenged in this interactive setting and receive
constructive feedback from the trainer and their peers as they engage in
the practical application of the skills they are learning. Laborers-AGC’s
Instructor Skill Standards and curricula play a major role in the training. The new instructors
are introduced to the skill standards and receive a basic understanding of the curricula's instructional design and how to use it
effectively.
The new instructors leave the session better prepared to enter the
classroom and establish an effective relationship with learners. They
will be prepared to address the specific needs of the learners and have
the tools to handle behavioral or learning situations that may arise in
the classroom.
Best Practices of Adult Education
This four-week session is designed to address the needs of the more seasoned instructor, giving participants the opportunity to reflect on their current practices in the classroomand to refine their instructional skills. The participants focus their attention on the principles of adult education and learn how to implement new techniques into their instruction and presentation methods and participate in practice teaching for which they receive feedback. By using the Instructor Skill Standards developed by Laborers-AGC, the participants are working towards tangible goals as they increase their knowledge and expand their horizons. Participants return to their training funds revitalized and enhanced to face the opportunities and challenges of training the 21st Century Laborer and better able to implement and utilize Laborers-AGC's activity based curricula.
Vocational English for
Speakers of other Languages (VESOL)
This four-week
session is an intensive course that focuses on the principles and skills
needed to effectively teach Construction English to adult learners.
Participants are introduced to strategies for teaching English language
learners in the basic vocabulary needed to succeed in training and in
the work place. Participants have a unique opportunity to teach their
newly learned skills to laborers, in the presence of their trainers and
peers. They will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback on
their performance and see first hand the benefit that the training has
on the life and advancement of the trainee. Upon successful completion
of the intensive program, the participant receives a teaching
certification from a nationally accredited institution.
Participants come together for two-weeks. After the completion of
the first two-weeks, participants return to their respective training
funds with an assignment related to the instruction.
In approximately three to four weeks, participants return for the final
2-weeks of studies. To learn more about Vocational English (VESOL) in
your area
click here.
Training
Directors Meeting
Throughout the
year, Laborers-AGC calls training directors and Administrators together
from throughout the Laborers’ training network for meetings and seminars
intended to keep them up-to date on information concerning the Fund’s
products and services. The Fund from time to time also offers
professional development seminars on topics including finance and
accounting, governmental reporting, ERISA, and general administration
skills. These meetings help Laborers-AGC’s affiliated training funds
share information with each other and learn important information, which
enables them to operate their individual funds effectively.
Training
Technical Development
For more than
35 years, Laborers-AGC has been providing its affiliated training funds
with technical development in all areas and subject matters that
Laborers are involved in throughout North America. Training in trade
specific areas is provided periodically throughout the year to
affiliated training fund instructors. Laborers-AGC in working with its
sister funds, LECET and LHSFNA are committed to meeting the training
needs of all LIUNA members by keeping instructors up-to-date in skills
and emerging technologies.
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