Last month, the centerpiece of the newly built Steam lab, a 100-horsepower Victory Energy boiler, was delivered to the Steamfitters Technology Center.
This new equipment not only stimulates the types of boilers apprentices would see on the job, but it also features cameras inside for a closer look at the mechanics.
“The boilers don’t come with it; it was custom-built and designed,” said Brad Tisdale, director of HVAC-R training. “We spent a lot of time with our rep trying to come up with the design.”
On large-screen televisions in the lab, apprentices can see what is happening inside the boiler as it is being operated in real-time.
“It’s getting harder and harder to find trained technicians that can work on these complex systems this day and age,” Tisdale said. “A lot of people think that steam is gone, but it’s still viable in many different areas of our industry, including hospitals, food processing, chemicals, and manufacturing.”
Local 449 has always been committed to using hands-on training methods combined with the latest industry technology to give apprentices a well-rounded education. Practicing on a live-firing boiler, Steamfitters will be better equipped when it is time to go out and work in the field.
More upgrades are coming to the technology center soon, including an additional training facility on the Steamfitters campus that is currently in development.