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 Go to Atech Center's Official Website Atech Center, Inc., is the premier construction materials testing (CMT) training and technical contractor in the Northeast, specializing in
Uniquely positioned in the CMT industry, Atech was formed in 1993 as a sister to Advance Testing Company, a leader in CMT since 1984. Atech’s founder (and owner of Advance Testing, Jim Smith) recognized the need for high-quality training courses to prepare construction inspectors for what had become an increasingly specialized and technical field. With the inception of Superpave for HMA pavements, performance specifications on pavement density, and the move toward Quality Assurance, there had never been a greater need for technician training. With that, Atech Center began to develop local training courses based on New York State’s Department of Transportation Method Specifications for HMA plant inspection, and the new Superpave specifications being promoted by the SHRP program. Advance Testing’s technical expertise and employee support was utilized to its fullest extent to help create a visual, step-by-step guide for ASTM and AASHTO procedures specified by the agency, in language that was geared toward the adult learner (and not the engineer). What evolved was a user-friendly manual (which was subsequently adopted by the NYSDOT, in conjunction with SUNY Alfred and the NYS Asphalt Paving Association), and an engaging course presentation, the first offered in NYS that used (exclusively) computer generated presentations. In June of 1995 Atech Center was awarded a contract with the NETTCP (New England Transportation Technician Certification Program) to produce a manual and to conduct courses for HMA Plant Technicians. By September, 1995 Atech Center submitted a 150 page, double sided manual complete with photographs and illustrations to the NETTCP for review. In December 1995 a two-day pilot program was conducted for purposes of review and revision of the materials. By January of 1996 the revised manual was submitted for final review and publication, and actual training courses started shortly thereafter. Ten one week training and certification sessions were held across the Northeast and approximately 150 technicians were certified. During this period instructors worked closely with the NETTCP to fine tune elements of the manual, course, and presentation in response to user feedback and the needs of the organization. The NETTCP has since retained the services of Atech Center to create four more training courses (see Summary of Experience sidebar) and continues to utilize Atech Center to provide training for in the fields of HMA, PCC, and Soils. In 1998 Atech Center was retained by Clough, Harbour, and Associates to provide technical and training support services for their implementation of Quality Assurance in Massachusetts under their Phase II Implementation contract. Atech’s involvement to date has been to create and present new introductory presentations for Pilot Program training and to participate in technical review and recommendation for MHD’s Quality Assurance Specifications. CHA has also retained Atech to provide technical support services during construction of QA projects. In 1999 Atech Center was contracted to produce a one day paving seminar for Laborer’s Local 621 and the Association of General Contractors in Olean, NY. The presentation was a great success which led to an invitation to speak at the annual AGC/NYSDOT Technical conference later that year. Attendance at the technical conference presentation exceeded expectations and feedback was extremely positive. In June 2000 Atech Center was contracted to produce a 3 day HMA materials and Construction Practices seminar for the New York State Thruway Authority. NYSTA field engineers from across NYS attended the course in order to better understand basic HMA properties and how they relate to compaction in the field. Response for the course was overwhelmingly positive. In 2001 Atech was contracted to produce a complete paving inspector's manual and course presentation for the NETTCP. In addition, Atech continues to revise and update course manuals and presentations for existing courses. In 2002, Atech worked closely with the NETTCP and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration to produce a first-of-its-kind Quality Assurance Technologist's manual. Courses are scheduled to be offered for this course throughout the Northeast during 2003.
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