ALERTS

Asphalt Plant Diagnostics & Trouble Shooting Video Series

This course is a series of ten videos that can be purchased at 3-month intervals (January – March, April – June, July – September, October – December).  Each interval is $750 and can be accessed repeatedly during that time frame.  These courses are not downloadable.

This video series by asphalt plant expert TJ Young of T2ASCO will lead students through troubleshooting procedures, best practices, and overall management principles. Each video is approximately 30 minutes in length.

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective Producers
• RAP Management
• Troubleshooting Gradation
• Troubleshooting Asphalt Content
• Troubleshooting Segregation
• Gradation Control in Drum Mix Type Production Facilities
• AC Content Control in Drum Mix Type Production Facilities
• Drying & Heating Control in Hot Mix Production Facilities
• Dust Collection & Dust Return in Hot Mix Production Facilities
• Silo Management in Hot Mix Production Facilities

Registration

VDOT Materials Certification Guidance as of July 2021

Don’t forget that the Virginia Department of Transportation’s training section has again extended the date for those individuals whose credentials expired in 2019 and 2020, along with those expiring in 2021 to January 31, 2022, according to an email sent by VDOT’s Statewide Technical Training Manager, Jameo Pollock.

All ten VECAT classes are available online for credentialing. Most exams for the VECAT MCS classes can be taken online, but several must still be taken in person at one of the designated testing sites. A list of the testing sites can be found on the VAA and Germanna Community College websites. GCC staff will assist you in scheduling a testing date and location.

For the Asphalt Plant Level 1, Asphalt Plant Level 2 and Asphalt Mix Design classes, a proficiency exam must be completed once the written exam is passed. Due to the number of individuals needing a credential and staffing resource limitations to provide proficiency exams, students waiting until December or January may not be able to complete the proficiency exam by January 31. Therefore, students are encouraged to contact GCC and schedule their proficiency now.

If you have any questions regarding the VECAT program, please contact Mike Dudley.

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How Do I Take Asphalt Material Certification Classes & Tests?

All VECAT asphalt classes are currently available online. To sign up for one of the ten classes, visit the Germanna Community College website, or go to the VECATon this link.

While all classes are open for registration in an online format, testing for some of the classes is slowly returning. Since mid-Summer, the Asphalt Field Level I, Asphalt Plant Level I, Slurry Surfacing, Surface Treatment, Cold Asphalt Recycling – Plant, Cold Asphalt Recycling – Field, and Full-Depth Reclamation exams can be taken remotely. To learn how to take a remote exam, contact David Laraway at GCC.

Asphalt Field Level II, Asphalt Plant Level II, and Asphalt Mix Design are being offered at GCC’s FredCAT facility and in Danville and Abingdon (by appointment only). These exams must be taken in person due to the nature of the materials. Again, contact David for assistance in scheduling an in-person exam.

Finally, virtual proficiency exams for Asphalt Plant Level I and Asphalt Plant Level II are underway.  If you need to schedule one of these proficiencies, contact Judith Calvert at GCC.  VECAT is also in the process of finalizing a virtual Asphalt Mix Design proficiency exam. Once the Asphalt Mix Design proficiency exam is completed, individuals will be contacted.

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Asphalt Mix Design Certification Now Available online

IMPORTANT:  The Mix Design certification requires the completion of the class modules, final exam, and proficiency testing.  All three components must be completed in full before the end of the year to receive certification.  It is highly recommended that any student wishing to become certified complete their online class and exam no later than

November 1 to allow ample time for the scheduling and completion of proficiency testing.  Proficiency testing usually becomes challenging to schedule as the year ends because many students have not completed this component and are trying to squeeze in before the deadline.  There is a small handful of instructors overseeing this testing and limited lab space available.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact Germanna to schedule his or her proficiency testing and complete it before December 15 when Germanna closes for the holiday.  Failure to complete this step will not be Germanna’s responsibility.  Should this scenario happen to a student, he or she will have to wait until the following year to start the process over.  If you have questions about the class or proficiency testing contact Judith Calvert or David Laraway.

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Proficiency Testing

If you have taken Plant I, II, or Mix Design in 2020, please remember that you also have proficiency testing to complete to become fully certified.  This may be done at any time up until NOVEMBER 30th.  Please contact Judith Calvert at Germanna CC at (540) 937-6757 to schedule your testing session. Testing for Plant I will be done virtually, while Testing for Plant II and Mix Design will be held at the FredCAT and VTTI facilities.  The cost for testing is as follows:

Plant I: $175.00
Plant II: $350.00
Mix Design: $650.00

Please remember that registering for proficiency testing is the student’s responsibility. No exceptions will be made.

To register for your proficiency test, you will need to log on to Germanna’s website and select the proficiency testing that you are required to complete (this process is the same as signing up for a class).  Germanna will then contact you to set a date, time, and location for your testing.  For questions about the testing or process for registering, you can contact Judith Calvert at Germanna or at (540) 937-6757.