News + Events
Keep up-to-date with the latest information from Finishing Trades Institute Upper Midwest.
FTIUM CAMPUS REOPENING ANNOUNCEMENT
Beginning Monday, June 8, 2020, FTIUM will reopen to select groups of students in accordance with Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-52. The opening will be under the strict guidelines contained in the FTIUM COVID-19 Policy and Procedures.
Under Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-52, higher education entities such as the FTIUM are permitted to resume limited activities through preparation and planning that comply with the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, Minnesota Statutes 2019, Chapter 182 (“Minnesota OSHA Standards”), in addition to guidelines related to COVID-19 set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“MDH and CDC Guidelines”).
Furthermore, any reopening must be consistent with the MDH and CDC Guidelines on masking, social distancing, personal hygiene, screening, and cleaning practices. The reopening is permitted for specific instructional programming necessary for a student to complete a degree, diploma, certificate, credential, or licensure in a Critical Sector. Specifically, the governor authorized higher education institutions, in consultation with their governing boards, to expand in-person or on-site activities and programming that are necessary for the completion of a degree, diploma, certificate, credential, or licensure in a Critical Sector that can be operationalized in compliance with MDH and CDC Guidelines to serve those essential occupation students who need to finish their final trimester/semester of schooling to receive the certification necessary to complete their education, receive their certifications and join the workforce.
Announcement regarding FTIUM Spring 2020 Term
TO: Apprentices, Employers, and Union Representatives
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the Spring 2020 Term on March 13, 2020, at which time the campus was closed to apprentices and all other student bodies. At that time, there was no clear means to plan out the schedule for the balance of the Spring 2020 Term. The FTIUM staff immediately looked to identify options to restart instruction and decided to look at possibilities for distance or online learning until the campus could be reopened. Some apprentices have four days of instruction left to finish while others have six days out the Spring 2020 Term. While FTIUM’s “hands-on” learning approach is critical to providing quality training to apprentices, it was identified that some portions of the curriculum could be adapted to online learning during this time of uncertainty.
In the past four weeks, the FTIUM staff has developed two days of program curriculum that can be delivered by distance or online learning for each semester of each different trade program group. The online courses will make use of technologies from Zoom, ExamView, and the IFTI Learning Management System (LMS). Many apprentices have already gained experience with these applications. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industries Apprenticeship Division has been collaborating with FTIUM’s leadership to assure that the remaining education for the semester meets their expectations.
As it was on March 13, today, there is still not a clear means to plan out the entire balance of classes for the Spring 2020 Term. However, it has been decided that FTIUM will deliver two days of online learning starting Monday, April 27, 2020. Apprentices will have an option to join either an afternoon or early evening session on their cohort’s designated days. Those sessions would be scheduled for 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm session and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm session, respectively.
In addition to video conferencing instruction, assignments will be given out to fulfill a full day of instruction. Instructors will put reasonable due dates on those assignments. The designated days for those apprentices originally scheduled on Monday and Tuesday will remain the same, but those scheduled for Thursday and Friday will be moved back to Wednesday and Thursday. Apprentice coordinators will be publishing the online learning schedule and communicating it to each apprentice. Having two different sessions will hopefully provide enough flexibility for apprentices to meet their family and professional demands. If apprentices have obstacles to joining these flexible sessions, they should call or email their apprenticeship coordinator to discuss alternatives.
For Paint, Drywall Finishing, and Sign you should contact Thomas Aasheim at 651-230-5742
For Glassworker and Glazier, you should contact Brian Hagberg at 651-230-0362
for technical assistance with the software applications, call Mark Duttenhefner at 612-323-6191
The balance of the Spring 2020 Term will be scheduled in the future once FTIUM’s leadership decides it is safe to resume instruction on campus. Safety is paramount, and part of the decision making to reopen the campus will be to meet the terms and expectations of Governor Tim Walz’s Executive Orders and plans to reopen Minnesota. Several options are being considered to deliver the final campus classes of the Spring 2020 Term, including holding them early in the summer, later in the summer, or integrating them into the Fall 2020 Term.
We understand that the pandemic has put many apprentices and their families under immense pressure in their daily lives. We hope that this flexible scheduling of online learning will allow apprentices to move forward on their education again while being able to balance their personal and professional lives. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Tom Aasheim John Burcaw
Director of Technical Education Director of Academic Education
IUPAT | CPWR Jobsite Guidance
Please check back frequently, as this is an evolving situation and guidelines may change
In response to the construction industry’s questions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, the following are steps workers should be taking now:
• Don’t go to work if you are feeling sick.
• Don’t go to work if you have a fever.
• Don’t go to work if you have a cough or shortness of breath.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Don’t shake hands when greeting others.
• Avoid large gatherings or meetings of 10 people or more.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others on job sites and in gatherings, meetings, and training sessions.
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissues if you cough or sneeze or do so into your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When hand washing isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean your hands frequently, including before and after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Bring food and water bottles from home to the job site and do not share.
• Drive to worksites or parking areas by yourself—no passengers or carpooling.
• Wipe down interiors and door handles of machines or construction vehicles, and the handles of equipment and tools that are shared, with disinfectant prior to entering.
CDC has issued disinfection recommendations here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaningdisinfection.html.
Construction industry employers should develop a comprehensive COVID-19 exposure control plan, which includes control measures, symptom checking, social distancing, hygiene and decontamination procedures, and training. Training should cover the hazards and control measures including social distancing, handwashing facilities on site, and how high-touch surfaces are disinfected. An exposure control plan and the following recommendations should be followed before any onsite worker is found to have COVID-19 because many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and can potentially spread disease.
Recommendations:
• Designate a site-specific COVID-19 officer at every job site.
• Plan for office staff to have the ability to work from home.
• Conduct a Safety Stand-Down/toolbox talk/tailgate training on all job sites to explain the protective measures in place for all workers. Keep social distancing at all gatherings.
• Ask workers to self-identify symptoms of fever, coughing, or shortness of breath each day, before the shift, mid-shift, and at home. If thermometers are used on the job, they should be ‘no-touch’ or ‘no-contact.’
• Create policies that encourage workers to stay at home or leave the worksite when feeling sick or when they have been in close contact with a confirmed positive case. If someone goes home from the site, the area where that person worked should be immediately disinfected.
• Create at least 6 feet of space between workers by staging/staggering crews. Modify work schedules to stagger work, provide alternating workdays or extra shifts to reduce the total number of employees on a job site at any given time.
• Workers working near or with others in close quarters, such as confined space work, should wear a NIOSH-approved respirator certified as N95 or higher implemented under a full respiratory protection program.
• Identify choke points where workers are forced to stand together, such as hallways, hoists and elevators, break areas, and buses, and control them so social distancing is maintained.
• Minimize interactions when picking up or delivering equipment or materials. Organize the placement of materials to minimize movement on the worksite.
• Provide soap and running water whenever possible on all job sites for frequent handwashing. Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as a backup only if providing running water is impossible. Disclose reasons why running water is not possible to workers.
Workers should be encouraged to leave their workstations to wash their hands before and after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces on job sites and in offices—such as shared tools, machines, vehicles and other equipment, handrails, doorknobs, and portable toilets—frequently, per CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
• Make disinfectants available to workers throughout the worksite and ensure supplies are frequently replenished.
• If you work in healthcare facilities, train your workers in Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA). For information on CPWR’s ICRA training program, visit: https://www.cpwr.com/training/infection-control-risk-assessment-icra
Special guidance for older workers and people with underlying health conditions:
• Older adults and those with underlying health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease and those with compromised immune systems (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer therapy) are more at risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19.
CDC has additional recommendations for these individuals here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html.
Additional links from our federal government partners:
• OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
• NIOSH: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/2019_ncov.html
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• CDC for Employers about getting their businesses ready:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
Please be aware that people are vulnerable in these uncertain times. If a colleague or coworker needs mental health or substance use care, they should contact their member assistance program, employee assistance program, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
3/30/20 — FTI-UM Campus Closure Announcement update
PSEO Students: The FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus will remain closed to PSEO students until May 4, 2020. In the interim, distance learning will begin the week of 3/30/2020. The instructors will distribute further details.
3/27/20 — FTI-UM Campus Closure Announcement update
According to Governor Walz’s Emergency Executive Orders 20-19 and 20-20, issued on Wednesday, March 25, the FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus will remain closed until April 27, 2020. Closure dates are subject to change.
Notes:
PSEO Students: The FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus will remain closed to PSEO students until May 4, 2020.
Apprentices: School leadership is coordinating with and receiving guidance from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to determine appropriate next steps to be compliant with state statutes—more information to follow shortly.
Continuing Education: Will reschedule accordingly. School leadership is reviewing the status of STAR qualifications—more information to follow shortly.
Occupational Advisory Committees (OAC): No meetings scheduled during the school closure.
If you have an urgent need, please contact your craft coordinator. For Paint, Drywall, Sign, and continuing education questions, please call Tom Aasheim at 651-230-5742. For Glazing and Glassworker questions, please call Brian Hagberg at 651-230-0632.
As epidemics/pandemics can change quickly and unpredictably, it will be essential to stay updated on the latest information regarding Coronavirus. We intend not to overload you with information, but updates will be sent as deemed necessary. If you have questions specifically related to the Coronavirus, you may go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage. Also, be alert for updates from the IUPAT, District Council 82, and your employer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please continue to check the FTI-UM website at www.ftium.edu for the most up to date information.
3/26/20 — FTI-UM Campus Closure Announcement
According to Governor Walz’s Emergency Executive Orders 20-19 and 20-20, issued on Wednesday, March 25, the FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus will remain closed until April 13, 2020. Closure dates are subject to change.
Notes:
PSEO Students: The FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus will remain closed to PSEO students until May 4, 2020.
Apprentices: School leadership is coordinating with and receiving guidance from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to determine appropriate next steps to be compliant with state statutes—more information to follow shortly.
Continuing Education: Will reschedule accordingly. School leadership is reviewing the status of STAR qualifications—more information to follow shortly.
Occupational Advisory Committees (OAC): No meetings scheduled during the school closure.
If you have an urgent need, please contact your craft coordinator. For Paint, Drywall, Sign, and continuing education questions, please call Tom Aasheim at 651-230-5742. For Glazing and Glassworker questions, please call Brian Hagberg at 651-230-0632.
As epidemics/pandemics can change quickly and unpredictably, it will be essential to stay updated on the latest information regarding Coronavirus. We intend not to overload you with information, but updates will be sent as deemed necessary. If you have questions specifically related to the Coronavirus, you may go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage. Also, be alert for updates from the IUPAT, District Council 82, and your employer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please continue to check the FTI-UM website at www.ftium.edu for the most up to date information.
3/17/2020 FTI Upper Midwest Update
Out of an abundance of caution and after considering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MN Department of Health’s recommendations, the FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus is closed to all students on March 16, 2020, and remain closed until reopening on April 13, 2020.
Continuing Education: At this time, all FTI-UM continuing education classes scheduled through April 17, 2020, are postponed until we have the approval to reopen the school to in-person training.
Please continue to check the FTI-UM website at www.ftium.edu for the most up to date information.
As epidemics/pandemics can change quickly and unpredictably, it will be essential to stay updated on the latest information regarding Coronavirus. We intend not to overload you with information, but updates will be sent as deemed necessary. If you have questions specifically related to the Coronavirus, you may go directly to the Minnesota Department of Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage. Also, be alert for updates from the IUPAT, District Council 82, and your employer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
3/13/2020 FTI UM Announcement
Out of an abundance of caution and after considering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MN Department of Health’s recommendations, the FTI of the Upper Midwest’s campus will close to all students on March 16, 2020, and remain closed until reopening on April 13, 2020.
Apprentices: School leadership is coordinating with and receiving guidance from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to determine appropriate next steps to be compliant with state statutes – more information to follow shortly.
Continuing Education: Will reschedule accordingly. School leadership is reviewing the status of STAR qualifications—more information to follow shortly.
Occupational Advisory Committees (OAC): Meetings scheduled during the school closure will be canceled.
As epidemics/pandemics can change quickly and unpredictably, it will be essential to stay updated on the latest information regarding Coronavirus. We intend not to overload you with information, but updates will be sent as deemed necessary. If you have questions specifically related to the Coronavirus, you may go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage. Also, be alert for updates from the IUPAT, District Council 82, and your employer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please continue to check the FTI-UM website at www.ftium.edu for the most up to date information.
FTI UM 3/12/20 Statement on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The FTI of the Upper Midwest is remaining current on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, and has begun to spread around the globe. We are monitoring developments, reviewing our protocols, and preparing for appropriate actions as the situation potentially evolves.
As expected, Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now appearing in Minnesota. We are continually monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MN Department of Health’s recommendations regarding preventive measures we can all take to manage the potential outbreak of COVID-19. No vaccine is currently available. Symptoms of this illness include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Prevention steps include:
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. It is recommended to cover a cough with your elbow or sneeze into a tissue, not into your hands.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home or go home if you’re feeling sick with cold symptoms or fever.
Avoid touching your face.
Avoid shaking hands if possible. It may seem awkward, but it may prevent the spreading of the illness.
It is suggested that paper towels be used to dry hands after washing. Evidence has shown that if hands are not completely washed clean, that air dryers can make the virus air born.
If sick or symptomatic, stay home except to get medical care. Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
As epidemics/pandemics can change quickly and unpredictably, it will be important to stay updated on the latest information regarding Coronavirus. It is our intent to not overload you with information, but updates will be sent as deemed necessary. If you have questions specifically related to the Coronavirus, you may go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage. Also, be alert for updates from the IUPAT, District Council 82 and your employer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
We remain open and fully operational and at this time have made no decisions to suspend or postpone classes. As current policy dictates, any absence from a training class excused or otherwise must be made up at the next available makeup day and prior to the end of the semester. FTI-UM faculty will ensure adequate makeup opportunities are scheduled.
Contact the FTI-UM office with questions or concerns at (651) 379-9600.
DC 82 FTIUM Announces New Post Secondary Enrollment Option Program
Starting in January of 2020, the FTIUM will open its doors to high school students for a state-of-the-art PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Option) Program that focuses on hands-on learning. Please view the new online sign-up page!
This program will enable students to earn 270 hours credit toward On the Job Learning for their chosen finishing trades Registered Apprenticeship. Students will also receive 9 college credits toward an Associate’s Degree. Do you know a high school student who would benefit from the program? Tell them to apply here!
The program is free, has no entrance exam and is open to all high school seniors and senior plus.
Enrollment for the spring semester is now open, and will be closed on December 13, 2019. If you have a friend or family member interested in taking that first step toward a rewarding and lucrative career in the finishing trades, please tell them to apply here, on our new landing page!
Attention AAS Students
Class begins Wednesday, September 5th at 4:00 p.m.
Register for Politics in the Community (AAS)
Registration for this class (09/05/2018 – 12/19/2018) is for those already in enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Construction Technologies degree program.
For more information on the AAS – Construction Technologies degree or to enroll, please contact the FTI training office.
This course is required and will fulfill your Social Science Requirement.
This course will focus on local, national and international politics and how it affects community. The course will utilize current events to propel discussions in politics and the role of the union. Students will develop and utilize problem solving skills in this course.
*** REGISTRATION IS CLOSED ***