Instructors play a vital role in keeping both new and seasoned apprentices updated on our ever-changing industry. To help, ECmag.com has launched the Apprentice Center. The Apprentice Center at ECmag.com with tailored newsletters, a free monthly magazine, and access to the latest industry trends and insights is the ultimate resource to (more…)
The NEW Testing Platform and Process – Coming Early July!
After much anticipation….
The New Testing Platform and Process (TPP) is all new and shares nothing with its predecessor. It is built on the same platform as the quiz engine that has been used by the PTSI Learning Management System courses since the debut of the OLS almost a decade ago.
Overview
Test delivery will be through a lockdown browser called Respondus (full details at web.respondus.com). Respondus Lockdown Browser disables keyboard shortcuts, right-click menus, and more. It also makes opening new windows and applications impossible during a test. It forces students to focus on the test simplifying proctoring. Proctors are not tied to their computer, but free to walk around and monitor progress or answer questions.
Note: A link to download Respondus will be provided on the LMS under the EXAMS section 
TPP only allows online tests. No paper tests will be available using the new system. TPP will scramble the question order, but students in a group will all see the same questions.
Use of either local program computers or student personal computers is at the discretion of the local program.
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- TPP exams are supported on Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and iPad operating Systems – Phones are not supported.
- Keeping up to date machines and browsers is always important.
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Test Availability Timeline
The New Testing Platform and Process and existing testing platform will coexist, and individuals who prepare and/or administer tests will need to be fluent in both. Here is a breakdown:
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- All new CML courses released in 2024 and after will only have tests available on The New Testing Platform and Process
- CML courses are delineated with “ – CML” in their course title
- Existing CML courses will be available on both platforms
- All Outside Program tests will be available on both platforms
- All other courses are only available on the existing Assessments system but will be added to the New Testing Platform and Process in the following order:
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- Inside, Installer/Tech, Residential Core
- Inside, Installer/Tech, Residential Advanced
- Substation, Underground Cable Splicing and Underground Distribution
- All remaining courses
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Still Have Questions?
Details about preparing and administering tests using the new system will be covered in a webinar scheduled for July 2nd, at 3:00 PM Eastern.
SMS Option Added to LMS and TMS for MFA
Can there ever be enough acronyms and abbreviations? My take, yes, but the addition of the SMS option to the TMS and LMS is needed and has been at long last added to the ProTech Skills Institute Online Learning System. Please see important details below.
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
The two existing MFA methods for receiving the
authentication code, E-mail and Authenticator Application, have been joined by a third, SMS text message. Existing LMS users can access this new MFA option by clicking on their name in the upper right corner and selecting Login Preferences. When Text Message is selected, the user will be asked to input the cell number where they want the authentication code delivered and hit save. All MFA codes from that point forward will be delivered to the number provided.
New LMS users still, and always, need to initially authenticate using E-mail, but after that they can choose to select from Authenticator Application or Text Message if preferred.
E-mail remains the default MFA method unless changed by the user. Users can change their MFA method at any time.
TMS users will also see this as an option. Once logged into the TMS, click on your name in the upper right corner to choose SMS Verification if desired.
Last Thing:
There are online resources that do not require MFA to be used each time you log in and then some that allow you to select how secure you prefer to be by allowing you to choose how often you must verify. In our cases as ERISA governed organizations, we are held to a very high security compliance level. It’s also something to note that using systems that send automatic messages charge by the quantity of messages. With email or with SMS, the number of messages the system sends equates to a charge. We monitor these charges to watch for concerns and will communicate those if they arise. While we, and you, are required to have these measures in place we try very hard to make them as user-friendly as we can, meet the required security benchmarks, and keep the costs down.
Thanks for reading!
LMS Quiz Error Issue – June 12, 2024 (8:50 am – 10:57 am Eastern)
At 8:50 am Eastern on 6/12/2024 we were alerted about an issue with the Learning Management System affecting quizzes in the Tech Math – CML and Construction Drawings – CML courses. The development teams were able to pinpoint the cause and resolved the issue at 10:57 am.
So… what happened?
Tech Math – CML and Construction Drawings – CML both use questions that generate random variables that make each quiz and quiz attempt unique. When a student (or instructor) attempts a quiz, the system pulls the random variables needed for those question types. This morning, the number of concurrent random variable requests hit the limit that prevents overloading servers.
So… what did we do?
Because our LMS servers can automatically scale up and down as needed, the team was able to disable this parameter and the random variable function for these quizzes was restored.
We apologize for any interruptions and frustration caused by this incident. We will continue to monitor the LMS for issues, learn from incidents like this, and strive to deliver an online learning environment that performs flawlessly for your students and programs.
USA Membership – Available for Apprentices!
The IBEW is proud to offer all IBEW/NECA apprentices a complimentary membership in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), an organization that unites union members of all trades through a shared love of the great outdoors. This popup will direct apprentices to a custom-tailored membership portal where they can gain access and obtain special membership benefits with the click of a button!
How it works:
Anyone who registers from April 30th to June 27th will be entered for a chance to win a Milwaukee Tool package worth $1,500…and one lucky IBEW/NECA apprentice will win!
Beginning April 30th, here’s what they will see when they log in to the LMS:
The notification will inform them of how to access and create their account. Their choices will be:
- Select Register Here to get started.
- Select Remind Me Later – the notification will close and reappear on their next log in.
- Select Acknowledge – the notification will close and not return.
We are excited to make it easier for them to activate their membership and start enjoying the benefits of this unique space the IBEW and USA have created for them!
Thanks for reading!
The 2024-25 electrical training ALLIANCE Training Essentials Catalog is Ready to View
Let the planning begin for the next school year!
The 2024-25 electrical training ALLIANCE Essentials Catalog has been sent to print and is available by clicking here for Inside Wiremen and Linemen.
You may also access and download the catalog by logging in to the member’s area of the site and locating the downloads in the resources area.
If your are looking for what’s new and coming be sure to check out the front pages of the catalog to see all of the updates!
Prices and content will be effective July 1, 2024.
While the teams are diligently working to wrap up all details for the content for this upcoming year, some of the courses that are noted in the catalog are not quite ready for use. All courses listed though are expected to be ready for use for this calendar school year. As these courses become available, we will announce them here and/or in newsletters.
Thanks for reading!
Significant Code Changes to the NEC 2023 – CML
Significant Code Changes to the NEC 2023 – CML
We are very excited to announce the rollout of an online Significant Code Changes to the 2023 NEC course and communicate how this course can further support the needs of the industry. You will now find this course available to programs within the etA bookstore. Stay tuned for future courses like this as they also become available on the SkillsPrep.org website. Read on to learn more about this new offering!
Course Layout
The Significant Code Changes to the 2023 NEC course is an asynchronous course and contains the most significant revisions and new requirements associated with the 2023 NFPA 70 NEC. The course has seven topics that each cover Code articles and their associated changes, along with a course completion certificate.
All training and reference material is contained within the course itself, but it is highly recommended to purchase the Significant Changes to the NEC 2023 textbook or e-Book that follows closely to the course and can provide the user with the information in a single-page format. Access to all materials is dependent upon an active internet connection and access to the LMS.
Each module within the course is presented with narrated instructions, followed by interactive knowledge checks on the Code-related changes of the associated article. You will need to achieve an overall score of 80% or higher to pass the module and continue through the course.
You can reattempt incorrect questions as many times as needed to obtain a passing score. Once a passing score is obtained, you will continue onto another module.
This course is designed to be completed within 60 days, even though your access will be determined through your training center. This is due, in part, to the ability for you to access the NEC language via the NFPA’s LiNK software. This access will last for only 60 days, so plan accordingly!
After completing all of the course modules, you will gain access to the course assessment quiz, which you will be required to pass with a score of 75%. A single score of 75% or greater will unlock the course survey and completion certificate.
Want to learn more about the basic structure of the course and see how it works? Check out this Course Directions Video that will give you a look at what is offered.
Still have questions?
Please read through the answers to the FAQs to see if we already have an answer for you.
If after you have read the FAQs doc and you have further questions, please contact Steve Strickland, your friendly customer service advisor, at 1.888.652.4007, or via email sstrickland@electricaltrainingalliance.org
Thanks for Reading!
Tech Math Announcement
The new home for the Tech Math course is https://www.skillsprep.org.
SkillsPrep.org is a site that allows you to send your applicants or students directly to purchase access to the Tech Math course. This is the same course available on the PTSI LMS and is a good primer for pre-apprentices to experience the system and other electrical industry courses.
Please read on to learn more about the new location for Tech Math and the skillsprep.org website. (more…)
Free Demo of VR Training Now Available!!
Attention all training directors! Are you seeking more information about virtual reality apprentice training? The Virtual Electrical Training (VET) Series 1 app is now available for training directors to use for free. This virtual training immerses apprentices into an interactive jobsite where they practice electrical installations in a safe environment. The learning content currently consists of 4 lessons on branch circuit wiring, while 7 additional conduit bending lessons will be released by the beginning of next year. The app’s scoring system reports directly to the ProTech Skills LMS.
Training directors now have free access to try the VR training. Take advantage of the opportunity to try the training out for yourself!
To access the free lessons:
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- Log into the ProTech Skills LMS from the TMS. Make sure to use a training director account.
- Navigate to “My Courses” at the top of the page.
- Select the VR Course titled Virtual Reality, Review.
- Review the privacy agreement document and accept the terms.
- Select the lesson you would like to try.
- Click “Enter”.
- Click “Get Started”.
- Review the 6-digit access code that appears. Keep this webpage open during your VR experience.
- Put on your headset, navigate to the app library, and open the VET app.
- Click the LMS code login button on the main menu.
- Enter the 6-digit access code from the LMS webpage, then click “sign in”.
- Click on your selected lesson and begin the lesson.
The training requires a Meta Quest 2 or Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset to function. If you need a headset, contact IVRY Technologies at ivry-technologies@idealindustries.com to be shipped a demo headset for two weeks.
If you still need to download the VET app onto your headset, review the instructions below:
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- Create a Meta account or login to your existing Meta account here on a computer: https://auth.meta.com/. The Meta account must be the same Meta account as the one on your headset.
- Download the VET Series 1 app by visiting this link: https://com/vet-1, and clicking the blue “Get” button.
- The app will automatically appear on your headset. In the headset’s app library, tap the VET app to download it to your headset.
More questions about the VR training? Contact ivry-technologies@idealindustries.com or schedule a virtual meeting with an IVRY team member at the link below.
https://ivrytechnologies.com/meet-with-us/
For more information on how to enroll your apprentices in the VR training, visit the link below.
https://resources.electricaltrainingalliance.org/vr-resources/
The PTSI Software Feature Tiers in the LMS
The choice of which features of the Learning Management System (LMS) your program would like to use is finally here! We sent out emails over the last two weeks to the program admins but here is a recap.
Since July, all programs have (more…)