LFCC will launch heavy equipment training

“LFCC students will train on a Vortex simulator similar to the one in this illustration.

Having an education like this where somebody can come directly out of the credentialing process and make a decent living will be a huge benefit to our community.

— T.J. Rodgers, S.W. Rodgers Co. Inc. project manager

Lord Fairfax will become the first community college in Virginia to offer statewide industry credential programs for heavy equipment operators.

LFCC has received a $453,686 Workforce Capacity Building grant from the Virginia Community College System to launch the program. The grant will fund establishment of a heavy equipment operator credential program at LFCC’s Vint Hill site and for the expansion of several trades programs on the Fauquier campus.

Beginning this winter, LFCC will offer the commonwealth’s first statewide-recognized industry credential program for heavy equipment operations. The college will use the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s curriculum and national industry credentialing.

Students will train on state-of-the-art Vortext simulation equipment.

“The simulation equipment will allow our students to gain hands-on training on multiple types of heavy construction equipment that will replicate real-life operating scenarios through rotating-motion platforms and high-resolution 3-D displays,” LFCC Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education Vice President Jeanian Clark said. “Students will do the actual motions and feel the vibrations while moving, digging and lifting in real-time weather and soil conditions.”

Graduates will operate heavy equipment used to construct roads, bridges and buildings.

The immediate Fauquier County region needs an estimated 150 new construction equipment operators each year. Those jobs paying an average of $43,000 a year.

With high demand for the skilled operators in Northern Virginia, the Heavy Construction Contractors Association suggested the program to LFCC program leaders.

“There is absolutely a need for qualified heavy equipment operators,” said HCCA Secretary T.J. Rodgers, a project manager with Gainesville-based S.W. Rodgers Co. Inc. “With the Interstate 66 widening project, we’re going to see an increasing shortage of qualified operators.

“Having an education like this where somebody can come directly out of the credentialing process and make a decent living will be a huge benefit to our community,” Mr. Rodgers added.

The VCCS grant also will allow LFCC to expand its electrical, HVAC and plumbing trades programs in Fauquier County to full Level-4 Journeyman potential, allowing students to apply for state licensure.

LFCC’s main campus at Middletown already offers the full apprenticeship programs in those trades. ”

 

6/29/17

This year S.W. Rodgers once again chose to give back to the community and our youth, in the form of some new ball fields.  The Potomac Lakes Sportsplex located in Loudoun County had a couple of playing fields that were in disrepair due to the undesirable soils that they were originally built from.  These fields were useless to the county and treacherous to the community.  SWR stepped up to the challenge and donated equipment and operators to help the HCCA and other member firms tackle this project.  With over 60,000 children participating in youth soccer in Loudoun County, every field is critically needed.  We hope that these fields can again be used without concern and will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Thank you to the operators and supervisors who helped make this a successful and safe project, notably: Bill Hogue, Billy Smith and Gary Randolph.

NBC4 chose to run a clip of the action during their evening broadcast.  Click on the link below and see if you can spot SWR’s trucks.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Loudoun-Sportsplex-Getting-New-Soccer-Fields_Washington-DC-431646443.html

4/30/17

26 SWR employees took part in the 2^nd annual Ditch Diggers Dash 5k this past weekend.  The day was hot, but SWR employees looked cool in their new team t-shirts.  The 5k race is part of the HCCA’s endeavor to create a healthier industry and way to give back to the community.

There were over 215 racers competing for top honors.  SWR representatives topped the list for many of the categories, but just barely missed out on multiple medals.  Kara Burns, daughter of Chief Estimator Dave Burns topped the chart with a time of 27:20.  Congratulations Kara!  Whether this was the beginning of your fitness journey or you were a seasoned athlete, this race benefited not only your health, but also the health of your community.  Congratulations to everyone who participated.

4/19/17

S.W. Rodgers Co. was honored this past week with an “Excellence in Infrastructure” award for our project “Grassland Grove Drive South.”  This exciting project featured a mile-long stretch of infrastructure roadway including two round-a-bout traffic structures and a bridge structure.  Many challenges were hurdled by the earthwork and utility crews to complete this roadway including facing a 100-year storm event.  Site Superintendent Timmy Ratcliff and foreman Jimmy Mullins worked together flawlessly to finish this project on time and at budget for our clients.

Chuck, TJ and Kurt Rodgers along with Roy Beckner were in attendance to accept the “Excellence in Infrastructure” award on behalf of SWR.  Our guest for the evening was Stan Settle of Willowsford Operations who also helped accept the plaques.

S.W. Rodgers is the first company in history to win the HCCA’s “Excellence in Infrastructure” award in the $1million to $5 million category in back to back years.  More proof that our employees are the best in the business.  Job well done SWR!

Our trucking fleet was also honored at the event for multiple categories.  Our strong safety record is a direct reflection of the conscientious behavior of our drivers.  Our safety culture along with our companies work ethics continues to put us in class above the rest.  Another job well done!

8/8/16

This past Saturday SWR contributed to a community service project at the Philips School in Annandale, VA which was organized by the HCCA.  The Philips School is a nonprofit organization that serves over 500 children and their families from the Washington metropolitan area.  For the past four decades the Philips School has helped children where others could not.  They have helped children with learning disabilities, autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, health impairments and who struggle with multiple disabilities to prepare and become independent, productive young adults.

The parking lot at the Philips School was failing from years of use and the HCCA swiftly jumped into action.  An industry wide collaboration took place to start the project which included milling of the old parking lot and travel ways.  Due to our impeccable safety resume, SWR was asked to contribute with the hauling of this material to an offsite dump site.  A few of our drivers sprang to work early last Saturday morning, including our “2016 Safe Employee” award winning driver Billy Smith.  Special thanks goes out to Billy, Bill Hogue and Gary Randolph for putting in the time and doing a job that will undoubtedly benefit our youth of tomorrow for years to come.

On a cool, overcast Saturday last week, Team SWR sported some bright new gear as they competed in the 1^st annual “Ditch Diggers Dash 5K.”  Over 30 SWR employees and their families registered for the event and through perseverance, endurance and pure power were able to take home a 3^rd place team finish.  Of the 150 registered competitors, Kamryn Bishop, daughter of SWR Project Manager Kris Bishop, took home a 1^st place medal for the under 15 years of age division.  Congratulations Kamryn!

Competitors and spectators enjoyed the team and industry comradery as they finished the race at Old Bust Head Brewery.  The atmosphere was lively and energetic following the race as participants relaxed and refueled using the race’s provided beverage tickets.  Bragging rights were established and excuses were plentiful as the afternoon came to a close.

S.W. Rodgers is proud of all those who participated and trained for the event.  Here’s to the hope of healthier habits being established and maintained throughout the year to compete once again in 2017.  Cheers to all SWR athletes.

Last Wednesday night 4/20/16, S.W. Rodgers employees enjoyed a night of celebration among industry friends. The annual “HCCA Safety and Infrastructure Awards” dinner was held at Chantilly National Golf & Country Club and S.W. Rodgers employees shined bright for all to see.

The first win of the night came in the form of a trucking operations award. This award recognizes outstanding safe work practices for gross vehicle weight of over 26,000 and between 351,000-700,000 miles of operation. S.W. Rodgers Trucking Superintendent Bill Hogue received this award on behalf of our trucking fleet. Statistics given at the ceremony included “over 3,000,000 miles driven with four total accidents.” What an amazing exhibit of safety, especially considering the Northern Virginia driving environment. A big THANK YOU! to all SWR drivers who exhibit these exceptional safety habits. Our drivers move mountains over the roads, they clear highways from snow and ice, they set the bar high for our industry and they do it all while exhibiting safe working practices.

 

 

 

 

 

The second win of the night was a “2016 Safe Employee” award presented to William R. (Billy) Smith. This recognition by the HCCA is very personal and is only given to a select few. Billy joins this elite group of people who demonstrate exemplary efforts to promote and realize a safe working environment. Applicants for this award must, consistently demonstrate excellent safety practices, suggest improvements of current safety practices and demonstrate safe working practices to others. If Billy’s name was in the dictionary those attributed would describe him perfectly. As humble as Billy is, he should not take this award lightly. The applicant pool stretches from over 150 member firms and over 26,000 eligible employees. It takes a lot worthiness and dedication to beat those odds and Billy did it. Congratulations Billy, and another big THANK YOU for helping to keep our roads safe and for the training that you instill in others to do the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third win of the night came in a new category, “Excellence in Infrastructure.” S.W. Rodgers was awarded for the category of projects valued from $1,000,000 – $5,000,000. The project selected this year was “Trailhead Drive Phases 1-3.” To accept this award was the team that helped build the project, including Foreman Jimmy Mullins, Superintendent Timmy Ratcliff and Project Manager T.J. Rodgers. Multiple applications were submitted in this category, but it was SWR’s site that shined brighter than the rest. A panel of judges reviewed all the applications and discussed multiple criteria for what makes “Excellence in Infrastructure,” including; challenges overcome, scheduling restraints, land use and environment restraints, weather conditions overcome, total appeal and many other criteria. S.W. Rodgers’ “Trailhead Drive” was a site that included many of those tough conditions, but through teamwork, experience and good old fashioned elbow grease we were chosen as the best. Another job well done to everyone involved.

As you can see this was a great night to be an S.W. Rodgers team member, congrats to all the 2016 award recipients.

All S.W. Rodgers Employees:

April 30^th will be here before we know it, thankfully!!!

Attached you will find the 5K run/walk race flyer that S.W. Rodgers Co. is proudly supporting.

By sigining up and paying the $30 registration fee you will receive the t-shirt and beer ticket (or root beer) from the event.

Because you are an SW Rodgers employee you will also receive the Under Armour team shirt shown below.

Less than 3 months remains to get moving, so register online and bring me a copy of your registration or call me (571-233-9973) and let me know you signed up so I can order your SWR team shirt.

Bring the family and join your colleagues and industry friends for a fun active Saturday.

Don’t wait, sign up today to reserve your spot and shirts.  Deadline is April 15^th.

 

Check it out!!!HCCA Ditch Digger Dash 5K Flyer & Registration(Click Here)

 

 

S.W. Rodgers recently participated in a community service project for the Transitional Housing BARN in Prince William County.   The BARN provides clean, safe temporary housing for families in need of a helping hand.  S.W. Rodgers proudly offered our services to help continue the safe standards of living.  SWR was the “tip of the sword” in conjunction with several other member firms of the HCCA, to reconstruct the aging parking lot.  SWR employees engaged in breaking out and re-pouring an existing concrete slab that was sadly in need of repair.  Our crews added value to this project by using our expertise and suggesting additional reinforcement to the slab and calculating a perfect load of concrete to be used for the project while not wasting valuable resources.  We were also able to recycle the existing slab which will be crushed into aggregate and reused on a future project.  The project being sponsored by the HCCA is just one of the ways our industry is giving back.  SWR has provided one less obstacle for the families of The BARN to overcome in their difficult journey.  Outstanding work S.W. Rodgers Co.

http://www.facebook.com/hcca1957

Reminder this Saturday, October 17^th, S. W. Rodgers will be hosting two seminars designed to help you plan for your retirement years.  The first seminar, Creating a Financial Foundation, will be presented by CapTrust Financial.  This seminar will preview several important enhancements to the S. W. Rodgers Company, Inc. 401K/Profit Sharing Plan effective 1/1/2016.  CapTrust will also review selecting investment options, staying on track with your financial goals, and how S. W. Rodgers Company is working with you to save for your future.  The second seminar, Understanding Your Medicare Options, will be presented by Market Place and Elder Care Associates, Inc. This seminar will help those who are approaching retirement age to understand all of the available Medicare Options.  The professional’s at Market Place and Elder Care Associates, Inc. will be going over Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D Prescription (Rx) Drug Coverage and other topics you will need to explore as you plan for retirement.

Space is limited, so sign up today by calling Flor Flores at 703-591-8400 Ext. 1154. You do not want to miss this opportunity to hear how to better plan for your future.  All those who attend will be entered into a drawing to win $250 dollar gift certificate!

See you Saturday, October 17 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel located at 10800 Vandor Lane in Manassas (near the intersection of Route 234 (business) and I-66). It’s the same location at which we hold our annual health screenings.

October 17, 2015 Meeting Times

8:30 am     Creating a Financial Foundation

10:00 am     Understanding your Medicare Options

If you need more information please contact Flor Flores and she will be happy to send it to you.