MMR Craft Training Coordinator/Master Instructor Named Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance Workforce Development Champion

October 9, 2020

BATON ROUGE, LA – MMR is pleased to announce that our Craft Training Coordinator/Master Instructor Richard Sanders has been honored with the 2020 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Champion Workforce Development Award. With a career in the construction industry that spans nearly 50 years, Sanders is instrumental in the development and oversight of the MMR Craft Training Center and its nationally recognized industry certifications and workforce development programs.

“It is an honor to be named a champion in workforce development,” said MMR Craft Training Coordinator/Master Instructor Richard Sanders. “I believe in the importance of learning a trade and the value that skilled craftspersons bring to Louisiana’s industrial workforce. I am happy to have made a lifelong career mentoring men and women in this industry,” said Sanders.

MMR was also recognized for its commitment to workforce development programs including recruitment, assessment, training, career path development and retention of employees with a Craft Workforce Development Hard Craft Division III Merit Award. MMR designed the craft training center in 2014 to provide clients with the most knowledgeable, educated and qualified craftspeople in the workforce. Among its many functions, the MMR Craft Training Center seeks to drive its craft ahead of the projected manpower shortages and ensure that those who are entering the field are equipped with the right tools and training to be successful.

“MMR developed the training center with the goal that those who complete their training with MMR will be more than sufficiently prepared,” said MMR President/CEO James “Pepper” Rutland. “Sanders has been a driving force behind this vision with the development of training curriculum, daily instruction of our craft and mentorship of our youth.”

Richard Sanders Career Accomplishments:

MMR Craft Training Center:

• Designed and authored the Scope of Work of the current thirty-eight (38) stations as well as aligning the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) requirements in Electrical, Instrument Fitter, Instrument Technician, and E&I Maintenance Performance Assessment criteria.
• Remains a mentor for the 447 trainees that have graduated from the program to date.
• Instrumental in obtaining the NCCER Accredited Assessment Center designation March 21, 2017.

MMR’s Support of Local High Schools:

• Solicit vendor material and equipment donations for local high schools.
• Sponsored Denham Springs High School and West Feliciana High School for the ABC Craft Competition that resulted in both a 1^st place individual award and 2^nd place team award April 11, 2019.
• Hosted several local high schools by providing facility tours in response to the Baton Rouge Jump Start Program, ABC – Pelican Chapter, and RPCC BASF Tech Academy.
• Assisting Saint Michael the Archangel High School Engineering Department as both a guest lecturer and material donations academic school years 2018-2019 to present.

NCCER:

• Has been repeatedly recognized by NCCER for contributing his time by attending committee meetings and coauthoring their Electrical, Instrument Fitter, and Instrument Technician curriculum.
• Certified Craft Instructor as of September 8, 1995
• Certified Performance Evaluator as of September 8, 1995
• Certified Assessment Performance Evaluator since September 8, 1995
• Certified Assessment Administrator since September 8, 1995
• Certified Master Trainer since September 8, 1995
• Mine Safety & Health (MSHA) Instructor
• Holds “Train the Trainer” credentials for 3M, Hawke, Hilti, Parker, Roxtec, Plasti-Bond, Chromalox, nVent ERICO Cadweld, and TE Raychem
• First Aid / CPR Certification
• Pediatric CPR Instructor
• Blood-borne Pathogens Instructor
• OSHA 500 / 501 Instructor
• OSHA 10 and 30 Hour for the Construction Industry
• Respirator Instructor Trainer
• NFPA70E Arc Flash Safety

The facilities of the MMR Craft Training Center are state-of-the-art, boasting 15,000 square feet of space for training purposes. With 38 stations designed to provide hands-on training and thorough assessment, individuals can receive a number of NCCER certifications, including Certified Electronic System Technician, Certified Industrial Electrician, Certified Instrumentation Fitter, Certified Instrumentation Technician and Certified Industrial Maintenance Electrical & Instrumentation Technician. Employees are also eligible to receive various vendor certifications, MMR certification and complete MMR’s Electrical Journeyworker Apprenticeship Training Program, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and State of Louisiana.

In September 2020, MMR received 1^st place in the Specialty Trade Hard Craft Category for Division III / 10 million+ work hours for the GBRIA Contractor Safety Excellence Awards. Nominated by several customer sites, MMR was honored to be recognized for its superior safety practices in 2019. MMR finished the year with over 10.4 million work hours and a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.10.

To learn more about MMR’s workforce development initiatives and craft training program visit, mmrgrp.com/workforce-development.

About MMR

MMR is the industry leader in instrumentation and electrical construction, maintenance and technical services. Under the leadership of President and CEO James “Pepper” Rutland, MMR continues to grow both regionally and nationally with 30 branch offices throughout North and South America.

For more information on MMR or to inquire about services offered, please visit our brochure, website or call 225-756-5090. Like us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

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