Wcct Releases 2009 Blockmakers Schedule, Online Course Offerings

Responding to difficult economic conditions, the World Center for Concrete Technology, Alpena, Mich., will hold the Blockmakers Workshop in February and

Responding to difficult economic conditions, the World Center for Concrete Technology, Alpena, Mich., will hold the Blockmakers Workshop in February and October 2009, regardless of enrollment (up to a maximum of 30 students), and in June, subject to sufficient enrollment. The Center will supplement the workshops with an array of online courses throughout the year.

The center will continue offering additional online courses aimed at the broader concrete industry throughout 2009, including Understanding Aspects of SLC-500 Programming System, Hydraulic Fundamentals & Troubleshooting, Electronic Fundamentals & Troubleshooting, Aggregate Basics and Introduction to Plant Safety. The classes are tuition free for U.S. citizens, but require students to complete simple government forms to ensure full registration.

WCCT is developing new online courses based on student feedback. In early January, it will introduce Concrete Masonry Technology, followed in the spring by Preventive Maintenance, Vibrapac, Cementitious Materials, Admixtures and Concrete Mix Designs courses. The new schedule for online courses and Blockmakers Workshops is posted at www.wcct.net.

In addition to next year’s course schedule, WCCT has announced a new requirement-completion of the online Introduction to Plant Safety course-for Master Blockmaker Certification, effective January 1. Plant Safety replaces the discontinued Equipment Controls course. The Center maintains two tracks for Master Blockmaker Certification: One where students complete all classes at the Alpena campus; the other combining on-campus and online course completion.