Fitter Trainer in Haltom City, Texas at MICA Steelworks Inc

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS
America's electric grid is in the middle of a historic build-out. New transmission lines, substations, highway corridors, and lighting infrastructure all ride on tapered tubular steel structures, and demand for the skilled people who build them is growing faster than the trade can supply. The constraint is not finding people; it is converting talented, mechanically inclined people into certified tapered-pole fitters quickly and safely. The Fitter Trainer owns that conversion. This is a dedicated, hands-on teaching role, not a working-lead role with training bolted on: the Trainer's production is measured in certified fitters on the floor, not in poles fitted.

JOB SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Production Manager, the Fitter Trainer designs, delivers, and continuously improves MICA's fitter training pipeline: administering the New-Hire Fitter Assessment, running the 90-day Fitter Trainee program to C certification, upskilling C and B fitters toward their next classification, and maintaining the curriculum, standards, and records that make classification decisions objective and auditable. The Trainer is accountable for graduate quality, every trainee certified must produce fit-ups consistent with UT-passable welds and is compensated in part through graduation bonuses tied to trainee certification, quality, and retention (see companion document: Fitter Trainer Success Measurement & Reward Plan).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• High School Diploma or GED, plus a minimum of 5 years' fitting/fabrication experience; tapered tubular pole experience required.
• A-Fitter classification (or equivalent demonstrated proficiency at hire).
• 2+ years' experience training, mentoring, or leading shop employees preferred.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting blueprints and weld symbols; ability to teach both.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and ERP [Global Shop] for record-keeping.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Demonstrated ability to break complex fit-up work into teachable steps and adjust methods when a trainee is not progressing.
• Knowledge of overhead and jib crane operation and rigging fundamentals; ability to certify trainees on crane use.
• Thorough knowledge of fit-up hand tools, torches, grinders, and layout instruments.
• Knowledge of welding symbols, diagrams, and the downstream requirements of UT-passable welds.
• Objective, documented evaluation habits; comfortable failing a test piece that does not meet standard.
• Ability to schedule training coverage across 1st and 2nd shifts as needed within a standard 40 hour week.
• Successfully pass a background check (including criminal history), drug screen, physical, audiogram, and vision test.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Assessment & Intake
• Administer and score the New-Hire Fitter Assessment (tape measure & shop math, blueprint & weld symbols, practical fit-up) using the published rubric; recommend C-direct hire, Trainee-track hire, or decline.
• Partner with HR on assessment days, shop tours, and candidate experience; provide same-day scoring so offers go out within 48 hours.
Training Delivery
• Run the structured 30/60/90-day Fitter Trainee curriculum: basic drawings; seam location and numbering; twist/camber acceptance; shaft trimming and squaring; true centers and chalk lines; base/flange plate, vang, bracket, through-plate, and ground sleeve layout; solo basic pole shaft fit-up; time management.
• Deliver 60-90 day progressions (A-frame shafts, leveling plates, top connection plates; bridges, H-frames, big bases) when product is present, per the classification framework.
• Conduct and document weekly hands-on evaluations of each trainee, including two-way feedback on how training is going.
• Run cross-training programs for welders and other shop employees transitioning into fit-up.
• Coach C and B fitters preparing for their next classification test; schedule and proctor classification tests.
Standards, Records & Program Management
• Own the training curriculum, lesson materials, rubrics, and test bank; revise when drawings, products, or processes change.
• Maintain the individual training record for every trainee (goals, weekly evaluations, test scores, sign-offs) in [Global Shop / HR system].
• Track and report the trainer scorecard monthly (certification rate, time-to-certify, graduate first-pass quality, retention, safety).
• Coordinate with QC so every certification includes an independent quality audit of the candidate's test piece.
• Escalate at-risk trainees early with a documented improvement plan; recommend extension, reassignment, or release by day 75.
Safety & Floor Presence
• Model and enforce all MICA safety programs; trainees work injury-free or training stops.
• Maintain personal fit-up proficiency by performing production fit-up work when the training load allows (target: no more than 25% of hours in production).

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents will be required to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE
Full metrics, weights, thresholds, and the graduation bonus structure are defined in the companion internal document: Fitter Trainer Success Measurement & Reward Plan. Headline measures:
• Certification rate: ≥ 80% of trainees reach C certification by day 90.
• Graduate quality: ≥ 95% first-pass fit-up quality (QC-verified) by graduates in their first 90 days on the floor.
• Graduate retention: ≥ 85% of graduates still employed at 6 months.
• Time-to-certify: median ≤ 75 days from start to C certification.
• Safety: zero recordable incidents involving trainees during training.
• Pipeline contribution: certified-fitter additions on plan toward the +50% headcount goal.

COMPENSATION
• Salaried position at a standard 40 hour work week; base salary band $90,000 to $95,000,
• Graduation bonuses paid on top of salary per the Reward Plan: $750 per C certification (50% at certification, 50% after the graduate completes 90 days at standard), $600 per cross trained welder certification, $400 per B advancement, $500 per A advancement, plus the cohort multiplier, annual pipeline bonus, and a 12-month retention kicker per graduate.
• Trainer designation is reviewed annually; an incumbent returning to a production A-Fitter role returns to the A-Fitter hourly band without penalty.
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND DEMANDS
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Global Shop; Microsoft Outlook email
• Microsoft Office suite software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Video Conferencing software

WORKING CONDITIONS
• Full-time shop exposure; extreme temperatures (sometimes due to season).
• Travel between plants (Haltom City, Euless, Kaufman) may be required.
• Perform work standing for much of the standard 8 hour day; occasional extended days during assessment events.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
• Stand, bend, stoop, squat, or kneel regularly; climb stairs and ladders.
• Wear OSHA-required PPE at all times, including OSHA-approved welding hood if welding.

COMPANY BENEFITS
• Medical | Dental| Vision| Basic Life and AD&D (Company Paid)| Voluntary Life AD&D| Short Term Disabilities | Long Term Disabilities (company paid) | Accident Insurance | Critical Illness Insurance | 3% Matching 401(k) & Profit-Sharing plan
• Colonial Life Whole Life Insurance | Hospital Indemnity Insurance | Cancer Insurance
• (7) Paid holidays | (3) PTO Days after six months | 2 Weeks’ Vacation after 1 Year of Service

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The Trainer is expected to maintain and grow instructional skill (train-the-trainer coursework, AWS/NCCER instructional resources as approved) and to keep current with MICA products, drawings, and process changes. Employees must attend mandatory education programs and annual safety training.