SCTP FAQ FOR SUPERINTEDENT TRAINEES

Why should I participate in this training course?
Do I have to work for a union contractor to participate in the SCTP?
Who selects the superintendent trainee and mentor?
How do I know if I have what it takes to be a good superintendent candidate?
Where and when are training sessions held?
What will it cost me?
What are my responsibilities outside of the training sessions?
Why do I need a mentor?
How is the OJT program structured?
Who provides the on-site program instruction?
How do I know that what I'm learning is what I need to help my company?

Q: Why Should I participate in this training course?
A: You have the opportunity to prepare yourself for advancement. Along with classroom exposure to technical and management principles required for successful field supervision, you have the opportunity to partner with a mentor and participate in on-the-job training to supplement your learning experience. The combination of these components makes the CITF's Superintendent Career Training Program Unique and greatly enhances your chances of success.

Q: Do I have to work for union contractor to participate in the SCTP?
A: Yes, you must work for a signatory contractor to participate in the Superintendent Career Training Program.

Q: Who selects the superintendent trainee and mentor?
A: The sponsoring contractor selects both the superintendent trainee and the mentor. Trainees must be members in good standing of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.

Q: How do I know if I have what it takes to be a good superintendent candidate?
A: You should be honest with yourself and evaluate your own personality and skills against the following criteria for good superintendent candidates:

A good craftsman with knowledge of the different work processes used in the construction industry
Good communication skills
Inherent leadership qualities
Willingness to learning new concepts
Basic computer skills
Good interpersonal skills
Basic management skills or the willingness to learn them
Ability to visualize or mentally formulate work processes before they are implemented

Q: Where and when are training sessions held?
A: The SCT program includes four programs with four tracks starting during a calendar year. Track A begins in February, track B in May, track C in July, and track D in October. Courses are held at the UBC's CITC in Las Vegas, from Thursday morning through Saturday afternoon. The superintendent trainees attend four three-day programs at the CITC over 18 months. The Mentors attend a Friday and Saturday workshop, scheduled for the same time as their trainee's first program (Program 1).

Q: What will it cost me?
A: Nothing! Your sponsoring contractor pays your wages while you attend the training sessions. You will stay right at the Training Center, and the CITF will pay for rooms, meals, registration fees, associated class fees and airfare when booked through CITF.

Q: What are my responsibilities outside of the training sessions?
A: It's important that you take advantage of every opportunity to learn, including studying your material, asking questions, listening to your mentor, and remaining committed to the process.

Q: Why do I need a mentor?
A: Through the program, your mentor plans, coordinates, and assures you that you will receive meaningful experience. You will meet with your mentor once each month through the 18-month program for one-on-one interaction, discussion, instruction on a selected topic focus on the company's specific approach, strategy, policies and procedures.

Q: How is the OJT program structured?
A: The mentor and superintendent-in-training select a minimum of 30 specific on-the-job training experiences that are determined to bet fit the needs of the company and the trainee. These OJT experiences are completed during the 18-month program.

Q: Who provides the on-site program instruction?
A: The SCT faculty is from collegiate construction education programs including Auburn University, Northern Arizona University, California Polytechnic State University, The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and other universities. All have extensive work experience and expertise as superintendents in the construction industry.

Q: How do I know that what I'm learning is what I need to help my company?
A: Mentors and trainees are responsible for building ont he basic knowledge provided in the four, three-day programs at the CITC. Customization to your specific company is accomplished through the on-the-job training and mentoring experiences selected by your mentor and superintendent-in-training