Academy Delivers Intensive Curriculum; But There Was Food and Fun Too!

Known to be a swampy region, people swatted or kicked at gnats the size of drones 

Anyone in Cajun country knows that mudbugs are best when they're boiled alive.
 
In addition to receiving comprehensive classroom and outdoor instruction on the practice of pile driving, participants from throughout North America found time to immerse themselves in a fun and fellowship-filled, southern Louisiana experience. Among the highlights was an authentic Crawfish Boil, courtesy of nearby Baton Rouge-based Contractor, Cajun Industries. Between the generosity of site-host Patriot Construction & Idustrial, LLC, which lent much of its 20-acre facility to PDCA for delivery of The Driven Pile Academy, and the bushels of mudbugs that were cooked on-site and served for the participants' Wednesday evening feast, attendees (many of whom traveled great distances), received a unique experience in the historically significant region of the U.S. and Louisiana known as "Acadiana." (Crawfish Boil photos, later in the post.)

But first, here are scenes from the lighter side of the The Driven Pile Academy:
Rise and shine Vance - it's 8 am in Louisiana, you're not in Hawaii anymore!
 
'Old School' anyone? The Rick-ster (l) defends his Sigma ICE frat-brothers to 'Dean' Cunningham (r) who questions him about reported pranks.
Suppliers demonstrated pile driving power at the Academy, Heath brought mad sprinting skills.

Dylan's preferred side of the camera

Mario throws up the obligatory 'Deuces'

Jason struts the runway, turning heads as he goes

Hoosiers earn a bid to the Cajun Bowl - brought to you by Alamo Rent-A-Car.

Site-host Kevin tells Connecticut guests that, 'around here, its gumbo, not chowder and we like our lobsters much smaller'

Floridians Scott and Luke maintain compliance with TSA COVID rules in a parting shot from MSY

Who is Tim? Equipment sales or US Secret Service?

Channeling his inner drill sergeant, Chris asks a student: 'Is that a water bottle in your pocket...or are you just happy to be here?''
 

What are all these voices in my head?

Some scenes reminded us of classic movies: 'Blues Brothers'

Classic Movies 2: 'Up in Smoke'

Classic Movies 3: 'The Deer Hunter'


Social media and other reactions from The Driven Pile Academy poured in throughout the week as attendees and observers passed along sentiments from the event:
  • "If you weren't there, you missed an awesome event!" Kevin
  • "I had a blast...there was information to help us gain a deeper knowledge." Arjin
  • "What a great week!" Rick
  • "The academy overbooked, and we believe it was a great learning experience for all the contractors, pile bucks, geotechnical engineers, designers..." Franki
  • "Great idea and great to see it implemented..." Pete
  • "It wouldn't be a pile drivers [sic] event in Louisiana without a killer crawfish boil!" Mike
Speaking of the Crawfish Boil, courtesy of Cajun Industries, LLC, most attendees adopted the popular practice of native Louisianans, as you will notice below:


PDCA thanks all students, training coordinators, volunteers, organizers, and of course our sponsors for participating in the inaugural CFI -Driven Pile Academy.

2022 CFI: Driven Pile Academy Sponsors:

Classroom, Jobsite Instruction Offered 27 PDH Max at Driven Pile Academy


Safety First! On April 5-7, the 85 students enrolled in The Driven Pile Academy taking place at the Patriot Construction & Industrial yard in Duson, LA embarked on three days of rigorous and comprehensive training in pile driving. Job site and equipment safety briefings preceded every segment of the instructional event. "From a safety perspective, [the Academy] really did an outstanding job of not only teaching but showing via example how to run an outstanding program," said Chris Normand, VP at Cajun Industries and Chairman of the PDCA Safety & Environmental Committee.

Following safety briefings, attendees started bright and early on the April 5th with a full day of classroom presentations on various industry components. They heard detailed instruction covering topics ranging from soil investigations, hammer sizing, rigging, working platforms, cushions, splicing, load testing and cost savings with driven piles, to name a few. "It was an honor to receive so much onsite feedback during the course of the week; people were extremely positive, particularly in that so many touted the event's significant worth to the pile driving industry. It's not too often one can attend a singular construction training event and obtain so many professional development hours," noted Diane Fischer of GRL Engineers.



The outdoor activity took place the two remaining days and gave attendees some of the most unique and compelling, hands-on training available. They stood in observation of piling equipment installation and removal of piling materials in and out of the stiff Louisiana clay, while rotating through seven unique and professionally staffed stations demonstrating different equipment and techniques. The materials shown were steel sheeting, H-beam piers and PC/PS concrete piles. Equipment demonstrations included HIH, diesel, dedicated rigs (impact and vibratory), side-grip, vibratory (both RF and Normal Frequency). Instruction on pile driving support services were available, too. Students reviewed and discussed with instructors, jobsite geotechnical testing results; then learned more about the importance of equipment maintenance, pile cushion utilization, correct rigging and the value of certified and experienced crane operation. 
This women-led team of equipment experts and tenured industry support services personnel volunteered significant time over the past 8-months to develop this well executed inaugural event. Attendees could earn up to 28 PDH - an unusual number to be available at one event - upon thorough completion of both indoor and outdoor instruction. "Diane Fischer and I believe this academy is critical to the evolution and safety training for the driven pile industry," remarked Pollyanna Cunningham of ICE-International Construction Equipment, Inc., one of two women who led organization for the Academy. She continued; "If you want an industry to grow and flourish, you must educate in both the classroom and in the field."
 

Welcome Reception Opens 3.5 day 'Driven Pile Academy;' See Who Was SPOTTED


Described as "innovative" and "first-of-its-kind," participants in PDCA's Contractors Foundation Institute (CFI) - Driven Pile Academy are heading back to job sites around North America, including Hawaii, (one of 15 US states represented), Canada, and Mexico. They are equipped with new perspectives and insights that can optimize safety and execution on their future deep foundation projects, including roads, bridges, and structures over 3-stories.  The three-and-a-half-day program took place in Duson, LA, on the expansive grounds at Patriot Construction & Industrial, LLC.

A women-led services team developed the first-ever event. It included one full day of classroom instruction featuring more than 25 industry professionals who gave presentations on safety and geotechnical preparation that would be necessary later in the week when participants moved outside to the mock construction site.  There, participants embarked on two days of hands-on field activity; they rotated through seven unique and professionally staffed stations and observed driven pile equipment installing and extracting steel sheeting, H-beam piers and PC/PS concrete piles. Equipment involved in the demonstrations included HIH, diesel, dedicated rigs (impact and vibratory), side-grip, vibratory (both RF and Normal Frequency). Demonstrations of different support services were available, too. Geotechnical testing results obtained by GRL Engineers, Inc. was available for review and discussion during event segments. Students also gained detailed perspectives on the importance of equipment maintenance, pile cushion utilization, correct rigging and the value of certified and experienced crane operation. 

Before the classroom and field instruction took place on April 5-7, attendees were treated to a Welcome Reception on the evening of April 4. Organizers gave a short program and addressed the dozens of attendees who gathered for networking, refreshments and some authentic Louisiana cooking. Scenes from the event are captured in the photos below:



Check back for more coverage, including photos, from the inaugural Diven Pile Academy!
 

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