Equipment Corporation of America (ECA) has taken their leadership role in drill rig operator training to a new level with the establishment of the ECA Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The facility will offer a host of training types and exams related to its Bauer and Klemm lines of equipment. The company has even adopted the slogan, “The Cornerstone of Your Training Foundation,” to draw attention to its increased focus on training.
The vision for the center grew from a drive within the industry for formal training. In December 2018 the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) and the International Association for Foundation Drilling (ADSC) announced the introduction of a certification program for drill rig operators. There was no formal training prior to this, so the associations formed a joint task force in February 2017 to take a proactive stance. In fact, ECA’s Bauer trainer Joe Kinworthy was an active member. The outcome was the establishment of written and practical examinations for Foundation Drill Rig (FDR) and Anchor/Micropile Drill Rig (AMP).