Improve Workforce Efficiency

Course #: Block X21
Duration: 30 hours
What Students Learn: This module of six study units offers the trainee arithmetic and basic mathematics, metric measurement, and calculator fundamentals. The Metric System is an introductory unit which includes metric conversions. Problem exercises and examples in this module are presented in on-the-job scenarios with applications drawn from the industrial context.
Components: Addition and Subtraction (186008); Multiplication and Division (186009); Fractions, Percents, Proportions, and Angles (186010); Metric System (186011); Formulas (186012) ;Introduction to Algebra (186013)

Course #: 186008
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Define the terms: whole number, numeral, digit, decimal, place value, addend, sum, minuend, subtrahend, and difference; Explain the significance of the digit zero in a number; Differentiate between concrete and abstract numbers; Properly prepare numbers for addition and subtraction; Perform addition and subtraction on numbers; How to check your answers to both addition and subtraction problems; How to use a calculator to add and subtract numbers.

Course #: 186009
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Define the terms: factor, multiplicand, multiplier, partial product, dividend, divisor, quotient, and remainder; Recognize the various signs used for multiplication and division; Properly prepare numbers for multiplication and division; Perform multiplication and division on whole numbers and decimals; How to check your answers to both multiplication and division problems; How to find the average of a group of numbers; How to use a calculator to multiply and divide numbers.

Course #: 186010
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Define the terms: fraction, proper fraction, improper fraction, lowest common denominator, percent, ratio, and proportion; How to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and decimals; How to change fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions; Solve problems involving percent; How to use a protractor to measure angles; Lay out templates for checking angles; How to use a calculator to solve percent problems and to convert fractions to decimals.

Course #: 186011
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Name the base units most commonly used in the metric system; Identify metric prefixes and their values; Apply conversion factors to increase or decrease metric base units; Estimate lengths in metric units; Express temperature in degrees Celsius; Define the terms: mass, density, force, torque, and pressure. Identify the metric units used to measure each one; How to use a calculator to convert one metric unit to another.

Course #: 186012
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Explain the use of letters in formulas; Prepare and use formulas to solve problems; The use of formulas to calculate the perimeter of a triangle and rectangle, distance, area of a triangle, rectangle, and circle, volume of a pyramid, current in a circuit, and volume of a sphere; How to use a calculator to find square root and solve formulas; Transform and solve an equation; Perform basic arithmetic operations with signed terms; Substitute given numerical values for letters in a formula and find the unknown quantity.

Course #: 186013
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Define the terms: term, constant, coefficient, exponent, monomial, trinomial, and polynomial; Identify and combine like terms in an expression; Multiply and divide terms containing exponents; Remove parentheses from an expression and simplify the expression; Perform basic arithmetic operations with signed terms.

Course #: Block X22
Duration: 25 hours
What Students Learn: The five lessons in this block present the trainee with a broad overview of measurements found in an industrial setting. In addition to the basic measurements of length, temperature, energy, force, and power, the trainee will learn how materials are measured and handled in bulk quantities. Fluid measurements include the measuring of fluid flow, fluid pressure, and fluid level. All lessons include the metric conversions in addition to the English units.
Components: Temperature Measurement (186023); Linear and Distance Measurement (186021); Bulk Measurement (186022); Energy, Force, and Power (186024); Fluid Measurement (186025)

Course #: 186021
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Recognize the difference between English and metric units of length; Find the perimeter of rectangular, square, or triangular areas or objects, such as rooms or machine bases, after measuring the sides; Calculate the circumference of circular objects like pipes of tanks after measuring the diameter; Measure lengths with the aid of rigid and flexible rules, thickness gauges and screw pitch gauges; Read a typical vernier scale and micrometer to take precise measurements.

Course #: 186022
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Measure an angle by degrees; Find the areas of rectangles, triangles, and circles; Find the volumes of prisms, cylinders, and cones; Find the weight of material stored in a container; Determine the amount of material that can be stored or handled; Discuss the types and uses of conveyors and weighing systems.

Course #: 186023
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Change temperature units from one system to another; Discuss the use of the various types of thermometers; Select the type of thermometer to be used at certain temperatures.

Course #: 186024
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Distinguish between the concepts of energy, force, and power; Explain what the term "work" means, and how it is measured; Know by sight the basic machines, lever, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and axle, and screw; Solve simple problems that involve levers, mechanical advantage, and machine efficiency; List the forms of energy that have important industrial applications, and the instruments used for measuring energy.

Course #: 186025
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Understand the properties of fluids; Determine the density, specific gravity, and viscosity of fluids; Express pressure in three different units; Measure the pressure of fluids using manometers and Bourdon tubs pressure gages; Measure the flow rate of fluids using different types of flowmeters.

Course #: 186001
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: A thorough knowledge of safe practices is an important part of working in any industrial setting. Every industrial worker should be familiar with accident prevention techniques, fire safety mehods, and the use of personal protective equipment. Injuries in the workplace cost many millions of dollars in medical costs, lost wages, and production losses each year. Many injuries can be prevented by understanding how accidents and injuries can occur. This study unit is designed to help trainees understand why safety is so important, and to present students with information about safety that goes beyond common sense.

Course #: 186002
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: his study unit deals with the safe use of chemicals in the workplace. The two primary causes of chemical accidents are the misuse of chemicals and the improper disposal of chemical wastes. Understanding the hazards that chemicals can create is the first step in protecting people from harm. The main goal of this study unit is to provide students with sound, practical knowledge about chemical use and disposal, both in the workplace and at home. You will learn how to recognize common chemical hazards and how to deal with them. Trainees will learn how to perform a job analysis to look for potential chemical dangers in your daily tasks. Finally, people will learn how to take precautions to avoid chemical accidents and make all jobs as safe as possible.

Course #: 186003
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Fires are the most destructive and expensive of all accidents. However, fires can be effectively prevented through the combined use of technology and common sense. By understanding how fires get started and how to extinguish them, students will have much of the knowledge needed to protect people from fire. This study unit will introduce trainees to the information you need to practice fire safety and prevention in the workplace.

Course #: 186006
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: This study unit introduces the safe techniques and work practices commonly used when handling manufacturing and industrial materials. Trainees will learn the procedures necessary to avoid physical injury to yourself and those working with you, for both manual handling methods and mechanical handling methods. You will also learn procedures that minimize damage to the materials being moved and to facility property. Knowing the proper procedures will also give you the insight to decide when mechanical handling is necessary, or preferred, over traditional physical handling.

Course #: 4400
Duration: 10 hours
What Students Learn: Electrician Categories and Classifications; Electrical Safety Standards and Codes, including OSHA, NEC, and NESC; Materials Standards; Listing and Labeling by Testing Laboratories; Electric Shock; Safety Precautions; First Aid for Electric Shock; Protective Clothing.

Course #: 186005
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: This study unit will introduce students to many workplace situations that require you to work safely with electricity. You will learn how and why electricity can be dangerous. Trainees will also learn about various methods used for protection. Safety begins with the careful installation of electrical components by means of approved wiring methods. You should use safety procedures and practices that insulate you from electricity's power anytime you work with, or near, electrical equipment and components.

Course #: 186034
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Recognition of how the economy affects the actions of companies, employees, consumers, and investors; The concept of capitalism and the principles of supply and demand; How government policies affect the amounts of saving, spending, and investing by companies and individuals; Understand economic measuring tools such as the inflation rate, the unemployment rate and Gross Domestic Product (GDP); How labor is divided into three employment sectors and how wages are set, including the influence of labor unions and the benefits of a multi-functional workforce; Recognition of how both the employee and the company must compete in an increasingly international marketplace.

Course #: 186036
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Describe how job roles change as a company evolves in its quality consciousness; Explain several ways in which you can support TQM; Identify approaches, practices and skills associated with positive organizational change; Differentiate between the "change process" at the company level and the manufacturing processes that require improvement; Describe major causes of process variation and give examples of how they may affect you in your job; Explain why and how the reduction of variability is a key factor in process improvement; Describe why and how quality and process improvement depend on data-driven decision making; Identify seven quality tools and explain their uses.

Course #: Block X24
Duration: 70 hours
Course Prerequisites: Electrical Wiring Practices (086E02); Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: In all industrial trades, a trainee will often have to several and various tools to get the task done properly. This block introduces commonly used hand and power tools. Safety is stressed while the maintenance worker is learning what tools to use, what tasks the tool can effectively accomplish, and how to use the tools correctly.
Components: Electricians' Tools (006026); Common Hand Tools, Part 1 (186052); Electric Drilling and Grinding Tools (186054); Tool Grinding and Sharpening (186057); Precision Measuring Instruments, Part 1 (186068); Common Hand Tools, Part 2 (186053); Woodworking Hand Tools (186058); Routers, Power Planers, and Sanders (186059); Power Cutting Tools (186055); Pneumatic Hand Tools (186056); Jacks, Hoists, and Pullers (186060); Plumbing and Pipefitting Tools (286042)

Course #: 186052
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: In the first part of a students introduction to hand tools, you'll learn about various types of tools as well as how to use them safely. You'll also learn how workpieces are held in place, the manner in which workpieces are marked prior to actually starting a given job, and how to make the most of a workbench's many useful features. Next, students will be introduced to a group of hand tools which most technicians use on a daily basis -- wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and hammers. Again, you'll learn the correct ways to safely use and take care of these tools. Equally important, students will learn how not to use these tools and the results of their improper use.

Course #: 186053
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: In this study unit, we'll continue the discussion of hand tools commonly used by technicians. While a broad range of technicians use many of the tools discussed here, such as chisels and punches, many others are more specialized and are commonly used by maintenance and machine trades technicians. Students will learn how to choose the correct chisel or punch for the job, how to care for it, and use it safely. Next, you'll learn about the variety of different cutting tools such as snips, knives, and hacksaws. Another important group of tools is shaping tools, such as files. Students will learn the different types of files, and again, how to care for them, and use them safely. Also discussed in this unit are various specialized maintenance tools. These are tools used for specific types of maintenance jobs such as pulling or prying objects from machines, safely inspecting machines, and retrieving objects in areas that aren't easily accessible to the technician.

Course #: 186068
Duration: 10 hours
What Students Learn: Purpose and Language of Measurement; Scale Instruments and Accessories; Vernier Caliper; Micrometers, Gages, and Protractors.

Course #: 186054
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: The electric drill is one of the most widely used power tools. It has many uses and is simple to operate. Electric drills can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a light household duty to the heavy-duty industrial grade hand drill and drill press. One variation of the electric drill is the hammer drill or rotary hammer. The hammer drill is a tool used for making holes in concrete and masonry. Grinders are commonly used for shaping and finishing metal and other materials. Hand grinders are available in sizes ranging from those designed to do the intricate work of the die grinder to that of the 7-inch heavy-duty disc grinder. Bench grinders are standard equipment in most shops, ranging from a 6-inch bench model to the heavy-duty 12-inch pedestal grinder.

Course #: 186055
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: Power cutting tools fall into two categories: portable and stationary. Portable and stationary cutting tools perform many similar operations, but portable tools, carried easily by hand, are used most often at the job site. Stationary tools are used in workshops and on plant tools. Stationary saws range in size from small shop jigsaws to huge band saws used in paper mills to saw large trees into lumber. This unit introduces students to the most common portable power saws used in construction and repair work, namely circular, saber, jig-, and reciprocating saws, and the stationary cutting tools found in most maintenance and fabrication shops.

Course #: 186056
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: Pneumatic tools are used in many areas of maintenance, construction, and production work. These tools harness the power of compressed air and convert this power to useful work. Compressed air can be a very powerful energy source. However, due to this power, you must be extremely careful when using these tools. Pneumatic tools are normally made much heavier than standard-duty hand and power tools. You will notice this fact as soon as you lift an impact wrench or framing nailer. The cases of the tools are made intentionally heavy to contain the stresses of the impact hammers or piston and to absorb the normal day-to-day abuse that the tool takes. You have probably seen someone remove a tire's lug nuts with a pneumatic impact wrench. The operator picks up the wrench and blasts off four or five bolts. Next, the wrench is dropped the six inches or so to the floor while the operator's hands move to quickly grab the wheel and rim. Come back to this same shop a year later, and you will probably see the same wrench being used after thousands of tires have come and gone. The tool's case may be nicked and grooved, but if properly cleaned and lubricated, the tool could last for many thousand more tires.

Course #: 286042
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Identify the various tools available for various tasks by appearance.; Demonstrate your knowledge of job safety and tool safety.; Identify the tools required to join and assemble pipes of different material composition.; Determine when and how to use pipe-joint assembly tools.; Identify the tools required to perform layout, cutting, and boring tasks.; Identify the tools needed for testing and maintaining piping systems.; Determine when and how to use finishing, testing, and maintenance tools for piping systems.

Course #: 006026
Duration: 10 hours
Course Prerequisites: Electrical Wiring Practices (086E02)
What Students Learn: Electricians' Equipment: Basic Hand Tools; Wire-Working Tools; Conduit-Working Tools; Power Tools; Knowledge as a Tool with Basic Introduction to the Metric System; Units of Electricity; Static Electricity; Electric Current, Measuring Instruments, and the Symbols and Terminology Used by Electricians.

Course #: 186057
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: Trades people must keep their hand tools in good working condition. They must follow a regular maintenance schedule for servicing them. Tools with cutting edges must have the edges sharpened. Other tools must be trued and shaped for their special uses. Screwdrivers, chisels, punches, snips, and twist drills are shaped or sharpened on a grinding machine.

Course #: 186058
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: A person who does not really know the workings of industry might think that hand tools are not used that much any more. That is not so; in a maintenance job, trades people will use hand tools to do many different tasks. Hand tools are necessary for superior craftsmanship, and ideal for many maintenance operations. With hand tools, you supply the power and guide the tool. This study unit focuses on the basic hand tools used when working with wood. Which woodworking hand tool you use will depend on the work you are doing. Often the same job can be done equally well with different tools.

Course #: 186059
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: The correct use of routers, power planers, and sanders will be important to trades people in your maintenance job. You will cut contours and irregular shapes on both edges and surfaces with the portable router; or you will plane doors, lumber, and assembled work accurately with the portable power planer. Trades people will also finish wood, metal, and plastic, and prepare surfaces for painting with power sanders.

Course #: 186060
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: Maintenance work involves hoisting or lifting and moving machines, and other heavy loads. A new machine may have to be moved in, and installed on its foundation; a broken machine may have to be hoisted and taken to the maintenance area for repair. For such work, trades people will need hoisting equipment, plus certain accessories, such as rope and chain slings. Therefore, it is important for trainees to be familiar with the common types of hoisting equipment and slings. In maintenance work, you will often have to remove parts, such as gears and bearings, from an assembly. Pullers are very useful tools for such purposes. The commonly used pullers are of the jaw and push types.

Course #: 286085
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: The purpose of a preventive maintenance program is to locate possible machine or equipment faults before the machine fails.

Course #: 286086
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Trades Safety: Getting Started (186001); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21); Practical Measurements (Block X22)
What Students Learn: How to implement a preventive maintenance (PM) program is just as important as the why and when of such a program. It doesn't pay to create a well thought out and scheduled PM program only to have the lubrication, inspection, or repair tasks performed improperly. The objective of this unit is to show you how to perform these tasks safely and properly. This will include showing you typical PM tasks as they are performed on common industrial equipment.

Course #: Block X25
Duration: 96 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: This block introduces the trainee to the various types of prints, drawings, and schematics used in an industrial environment. The trainee will learn how to read and interpret the different types of standard symbols and abbreviations found on these drawings. This block will benefit trainees entering any industrial trade. Each study unit contains a progress examination.
Components: Dimensioning (186040); Tolerancing and Symbols (186041); Sectional Views and Simplified Drafting (186042); Introduction to Print Reading (186039); Building Drawings (186043); Electrical Drawings and Circuits (186044); Electronic Drawings (186045); Hydraulic and Pneumatic Drawings (186046); Piping: Drawings, Materials, and Parts (186047); Welding Symbols (186048); Sheet Metal Basics (186049); Sketching (186050)

Course #: 186039
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify the various kinds of lines used on drawings.; Compare and contrast the various types of drawings.; Relate the information given in the title block and bill of material to the drawing.; Define different types of scales used on drawings.

Course #: 186040
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify the height, width, and length dimensions of a drawing.; Interpret dimensions on angles, arcs, fillets, rounds, holes, and chamfers.; Interpret the surface finish symbols for roughness, waviness, and lay.

Course #: 186041
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Tell the position method from the bracket method of dual dimensioning.; Identify the three general classes of fits.; Interpret unilateral and bilateral tolerances.; Interpret the various symbols and notations used on drawings.

Course #: 186042
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Tell one type of section from another.; Interpret the various types of sections.; Interpret drawings using simplified drafting methods.

Course #: 186043
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify the various kinds of building drawings.; Compare elevations, plans, and sections.; Match the symbols used on drawings with the various building materials they stand for.; Interpret the explanations and abbreviations used on building drawings.; Read steel and concrete structural drawings.

Course #: 186044
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify electrical construction drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams.; Interpret various electrical symbols.; Read standard abbreviations used in electrical diagrams.; Tell if a diagram is a block diagram, a schematic diagram, or a wiring diagram.; Compare closed circuits, open circuits, grounded circuits, and short circuits.

Course #: 186045
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify and interpret the various electronics symbols used on drawings.; Identify and interpret the various types of drawings used in the electronics field.

Course #: 186046
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Graphic symbols for lines, flows, and reservoirs.; Pump and valve symbols.; Fluid circuit and air circuit components.; Graphical, circuit, cutaway, pictorial, and combined diagrams.

Course #: 186047
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Define the term "piping drawings."; Recognize plans, elevations, and sectional views.; Identify a view by its placement on a drawing.; List what working drawings include.; Evaluate whether or not a freehand sketch serves its intended purpose.; Interpret the standard symbols and abbreviations and "read" the color coding on piping in industrial and power plants.; Interpret dimensions marked on piping drawings.

Course #: 186048
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify by name the welding processes commonly used in plant maintenance work.; Name the best welding processes for a given welding job.; Identify by sight, the basic joint and groove designs used in welding.; Identify by sight the basic types of welds and describe their uses.; Interpret the weld symbols most often found in the drawings used in plant maintenance work.

Course #: 186049
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Identify sheet metal of known material and thickness by page and weight.; Figure allowances for bends, circumferences, seams, locks, and edges.; Know when and where to cut relief radi.; Catalog and identify by sight the various seams, locks, and edges.; Name and describe the major tools and machines used in sheet metal working.; Explain how large fittings can be constructed.; List the characteristics of PVC and PVF sheet and laminates.

Course #: 186050
Duration: 8 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21)
What Students Learn: Use the right techniques for sketching straight and curved lines, and circles and arcs.; Draw, with practice, multiview sketches of simple objects that accurately show all the details of the objects.; Draw dimension sketches of simple machine parts with enough detail that parts can be made.; Draw, with practice, realistic sketches of objects that have simple rectangular and circular shapes.

Course #: VB04XX
Duration: 1.08 hours
What Students Learn: When interpreted properly, blueprints reveal the essential information needed to complete a manufacturing process. Students will learn how to interpret what they see and understand the specific meanings of all the lines and symbols on the "prints".
Components: View and Line Interpretation (VB0401); Dimensions and Tolerance Specifications (VB0402); Auxiliary Print Information and Geometric Tolerancing (VB0403); Welding Symbols (VB0404)