By Jalynn Bugaj
Customer Relations & Communications intern

At Facilities & Services, we keep things running by staying sharp, safe, and ready for anything!

Training is important for the shops and trades because it not only enhances skills, but helps to improve safety, and keep teams up to date with the best practices. Training ensures that operations run smoothly and effectively.

Ask the grounds workers, refrigeration mechanics, or the electricians! After going through training recently, these shops are equipped for tackling any challenge that comes their way.

Refrigeration Mechanics: Unlocking New Skills

Kody Egolf, pipefitter foreperson, explains that “training is very important not just for our trade, but for the knowledge we gain and the safety of everyone here at the University.”

The mechanics have participated in multiple training sessions, including:

• ClimaCool heat recovery chiller training
• AL2 refrigerant training
• LG variable refrigerant flow systems (VRFs) training
• Grainger training
• Illinois supervisory skills training
• HR series training

The goal of the ClimaCool heat recovery chiller training was to gain knowledge about the new equipment, which has been increasingly used for heating and cooling buildings at the University of Illinois. Two members of the shop were selected for this four-day training due to their active involvement with the heat recovery chillers on campus.

During the training, participants engaged in both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. They learned about the operation of the chillers and participated in practical sessions where they opened the units, connected computers for startup and setup procedures, and diagnosed issues.

“This training has been beneficial to us from the day the two individuals returned from it,” said Egolf.

Safety and Skills Training for Electricians

Todd Woods, electrician foreperson, encourages all members of the shop to participate in supervisory training. “Safety is a priority in our shop, and we want everyone to go home healthy. Our field is constantly evolving, and we want our crews to be up to date on the latest technologies,” said Woods.

The electricians have undergone training in safety, new technologies, and supervisory skills. The electric shop offers specific training associated with their line of work, including arc flash, lockout/tagout, and lighting controls. Safety and ethics training is conducted online, while specialty training is typically delivered in person by an external professional.

“Training is required to improve our interactions with everyone on campus and make sure we are doing things ethically,” said Woods.

Enhancing Expertise in Grounds Training

The grounds training covers a range of skills and knowledge areas, focusing on refining core techniques and introducing newer technologies relevant to their work. This includes both basic and advanced skills for landscape management, as well as more specific techniques in areas like irrigation, equipment handling, and sustainable practices.

The grounds workers have participated in multiple sessions and conferences, including:

• Grainger learning
• Annual USUB (upgrade subforeperson) training
• Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
• APPA
• Big Ten Landscape Architects and Grounds Managers Conference

The training is a department-wide initiative tailored to different roles and teams. While some sessions are broad, covering essential skills for everyone, others are more specialized, aimed at specific teams or roles within Grounds. The shop utilizes a combination of hands-on, in-field workshops and classroom-based learning. The sessions are led by a mix of internal experts from F&S, senior Grounds staff, and external professionals.

“The goal is to enhance operational efficiency and ensure all team members are up to date with the latest industry practices and safety standards. We also want to boost overall proficiency in both day-to-day tasks and more advanced techniques, fostering a stronger, more capable workforce,” said grounds foreperson, Isaac Williams.

Most recently, the tree crew took part in a specialized arborist rescue training. The program included two hours of classroom instruction, followed by three hours of hands-on, in-field exercises. This training equipped the crew with critical skills for safely performing aerial rescues, ensuring they are prepared to respond effectively in emergencies involving tree workers.

Crucial Conversations Training

F&S Employees were invited to a unique two-day training event titled Crucial Conversations, designed to unlock the power of effective dialogue and enhance influence as a communicator.

Course Overview: “The communication skills we teach focus on a specific kind of interaction: those when stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. Ours is not a course on winning friends or winning people to your way of thinking; it’s about strengthening relationships and securing results in the moments that matter most.”

Trainees learned nine powerful skills for working through disagreement to achieve better results, including strategies like looking for mutual purpose, exploring others’ paths, and more.