Industry and education partners open training center

Words: Westley DouglasWest Georgia Technical College and Crane Industry Services, LLC (CIS) announce a partnership through the College’s Economic Development Division to provide a new series of Skills Development Training Courses essential to construction, utilities, power generation, manufacturing, mining and refining.

Custom courses and open enrollment options are available at the new Centered on Safety Training Center™ on the WGTC Murphy Campus in Waco, Ga. The partnership between CIS, which provides crane and rigging training nationally and internationally, and WGTC is the result of an initiative to support workforce development needs.

Courses delivered by CIS instructors initially will include Basic and Advanced Rigging; Rigging Inspector; Crane Operator training, certification and qualification for Mobile, Overhead, and Tower Cranes; Crane Inspector; Crane Site Safety Management; and Power Line Safety for Utility Workers. Additional courses are in development.

“Our partnership with WGTC opens opportunities for employers to provide hands on, job specific training for personnel and for students seeking to enter the crane and rigging industry,” CIS CEO Debbie Dickinson said. “We bring accredited programs and certified instructors with on-the-job experience for the purpose of developing skilled craftspeople that America desperately needs to compete in the global economy.”

WGTC President Steve Daniel said the partnership allows the College to offer expanded programs. “The deep industry expertise of Crane Industry Services allows us to offer greatly expanded training in technically challenging program areas. This is a big benefit for area industries who need this training,” Daniel said.

Centered on Safety™ approach to training

After years of watching industries grapple with compliance issues, Crane Industry Services seeks to shift the priorities. “Test prep courses have minimal value when training is not relevant to the knowledge and skill employees need for day-to-day work,” Debbie Dickinson said. In contrast, CIS courses are designed for industry-specific crane and rigging work.

“Training and testing are not one size fits all,” CIS President Cliff Dickinson said. CIS employs NCCER certified master trainers, instructors and examiners who deliver validated and accredited training and certifications. “We provide hands-on training to develop proficiency beyond the baseline needed for certification and qualification,” Cliff Dickinson said.

WGTC Foundation Seeks Equipment Donations

To complement training offered at the Center, the WGTC Foundation is seeking short- or long-term loans or donations of equipment for the Centered on Safety courses. Cranes, aerial work platforms, rigging gear, excavators, welding equipment and other construction equipment are needed.

The WGTC Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(3C) corporation. Donations are tax-deductible. For information on making a donation, contact Foundation Executive Director Kim Learnard at 678.664.0515 or kim.learnard@westgatech.edu.
About: Educational (University)Featured
 0
The Cornerstone of Success: Safety and Documentation in Masonry
April 2025

The masonry industry plays a vital role in constructing our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Yet, beneath the enduring beauty of brick and stone lies a complex and often hazardous work environment. Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining docu

Erin Laird
Featured MAP Partner
Safety Training
Read More
How It's Made: Natural Stone Veneer
April 2025

Natural stone veneer is a durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing building material that has been used for centuries. It adds timeless beauty to masonry projects while offering structural integrity and resilience. But how does natural stone veneer

Rob McKay
Featured MAP Partner
Read More
Vibing Masonry #5 - The Evolution of Concrete Masonry Units: From Ancient Foundations to Modern Innovations
April 2025

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

Steve Blye
Featured
General Education Residential Restoration
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 18 Recap: Jeff Tew, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Jeff Tew joins the show, along with MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, to talk about where his passion for this industry started and what it's been like working on the Supplier side of the industry. An Excitin

Justin Stengel
Featured
Training
Read More