D.M.I. assures quality in many ways, but two of our programs stand out and set us apart from the rest:
Craft Training
In 1993, realizing that our most experienced craftsmen produced the most cost-effective installations, D.M.I. began development of its in-house training program, Career Craftsmanship. Today, D.M.I. is training its field personnel as apprentice tilesetters and helpers in its in-house program registered by the Department of Labor as the only ceramic tile apprenticeship program conducted for its employees by a privately-held company in the United States. In March 1997, Associated General Contractors of America awarded its Excellence in Construction Craft Training Award for 1996 to Career Craftsmanship, one of four national awards to construction training programs. Participants in the program are easily identifiable by the logo stickers indicating the level of achievement on their hard hats. Susan Floyd, who holds a B.S. from Auburn University in Vocational and Adult Education, coordinates the program as Director of Education. Beginning July 2005, Daniel Faulkner will coordinate the field activities and on-the-job training for the Craft Training program. Faulkner will teach the installation part of the course, coordinate the on-the-job training and field evaluations for students.
The construction industry continues to call for a better trained workforce. D.M.I. leads the way nationally in training and education of their workforce. Career Craftsmanship focuses on developing high quality, long-term tile craftspeople. Because of the highly skilled nature of our craft, Career Craftsmanship requires a minimum of five years for development into a full-fledged tile mechanic from a first-year helper. Even after reaching the level of tilesetter, our field staff is working to improve installation skills as well as blueprint reading, layout and jobsite problem solving. Career Craftsmanship features three levels: Helper, Apprentice and Tilesetter. Each level is divided into grades based on skills mastered. Participants use a home-study program and are evaluated with periodic written evaluations. Students are also trained in our Learning Lab and classroom located in the D.M.I. headquarter building. Field performance is evaluated regularly as well. This insures they are applying in the field the principles they are learning in home-study, class and lab. At six-month intervals, each employee’s progress is reviewed, based on scoring in both written and field evaluations. The Helper level is ideally two years in duration with the Apprentice level requiring a minimum of three years. The Tilesetter level has no minimum time, but is based solely on the development of skills, primarily managerial in nature. Through this program, we are developing a steady, skilled labor force.
Career Craftsmanship is a training program and a career plan for our employees. We believe it will not only benefit our company by increasing production and lowering costs in the long run, but it will also benefit the entire construction industry as forward-looking employees are attracted to construction as a career choice, not a last resort job. The program benefits our firm because of its focus on quality, efficient work methods and personal responsibility. Our entire staff, from helper to master journeyman mechanic, is properly trained and committed to providing the best installation you can find. Currently twenty-eight students have graduated from the Apprentice Program.
Safety Program
In 2007 field employees attended 518 jobsite safety meetings, leading to establishment of D.M.I.'s worker's compensation EMR at .67. A rate of .67 has been established for the current year. This rate, well below industry average, represents consistent management of jobsite safety through regular meetings, in-house publications, and emphasis on safe work habits through the Career Craftsmanship Program. The Safelight program, an ongoing in-house publication, was one of three entries selected nationally by the Business Roundtable from nominations by the American Subcontractors Association in their 1998 awards ceremony, and finishing second from nominations by A.S.A. in 2001.
In 2007 safety awards were presented to 80 employees in Birmingham and Florida. Each received a certificate, hard hat decal, and a safety incentive gift. Two more employees were inducted into the Top Gun Safety Club, denoting ten years of accident-free work. The program gives cash bonuses to milestone years of 5, 10, and any years over 10 worked accident free; in 2007 over $17,500 in cash was awarded, along with hats, coolers, rings, shirts, and jackets. Workers have accumulated 1,372,980 hours of accident-free work.
D.M.I. continues expanding our focus on safety. Daniel Faulkner will expand our ongoing emphasis on safety by making jobsite visits, developing an intense safety orientation for new employees, and staying current on all new OSHA requirements as well as additional programs.
