In each issue of Working Pressure, we ask 10 questions to a training coordinator or instructor of an ASSE-approved training provider. Some questions are work related, some are personal, and others are just for fun. We learn our trade through local colleagues, mentors, and instructors, but what can we learn from others across the country?
In this issue, we’ll get to know Ryan Lyle, Director of Training at Metropolitan of Detroit Plumbing Industry Training Center Local 98.
If you’d like us to ask 10 questions to your ASSE-approved training coordinator or instructor, send us a note telling us why at editor@workingpressuremag.com.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AFFILIATED WITH YOUR TRAINING CENTER/SCHOOL?
I began my apprenticeship in 2002 with Detroit Plumbers Local 98. My first instructor class was Medical Gas Installer in April of 2009, and that was the beginning of my career as an instructor at our training center. After that class, the instructor class for backflow tester was soon after. I instructed part-time until 2016 when I became a full-time instructor and then transitioned to director in 2021. In total, I will have 25 years in the trade in April of 2027.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AS IT RELATES TO YOUR OCCUPATION?
During my apprenticeship I worked for two different contractors. One focused mainly on straight line plumbing in larger commercial buildings. The other one was more of an industrial contractor. Between the two of them, working on many different piping systems, it helped make me well rounded.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN ASSE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS?
Many of our jobs included the installation of the water meter and the containment backflow preventer in the scope of our work. I always enjoyed that part with the largest piping in the building. During our apprenticeship, we took the 5110 Tester class and it was interesting and challenging following the dynamics of water flow and the different effects each component can have on a water system.
WHAT ASSE CERTIFICATIONS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OFFERING?
We currently have our apprentices take the 5110 Tester and the 5130 Repairer classes as they come through the program. We also have the apprentices take 6110 Med Gas Installer. We also offer these classes to any of our journeymen, along with holding recertification classes throughout the year. Recently we have had to add some recert classes to our schedule to accommodate the growing number of certified testers and repairers. We also offer the ICRA and Water Quality under the ASSE 12000 standard. The training center is also gearing toward a service plumber certification where we will hopefully be incorporating the ASSE 13000 standard in the near future.
WHY IS THE ASSE 5110 CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT TO YOUR SCHOOL?
Protecting the health of the nation, and the area we live in, is what we pride ourselves on. It is necessary to keep all of our members educated on protecting the potable water system. In order to do that, the 5110 standard and everything it covers is critically important. Not only the ability to test backflow preventers to make sure they are working properly, but also the knowledge on flow dynamics and how other factors affect the flow of water is extremely important to the fundamental protection of potable water.
HOW DO YOU GET STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE CLASSES YOU ARE OFFERING?
For some students it is about enriching their knowledge of plumbing. For others it is seen as an additional certification they can have to be more employable. Those two are the biggest factors I believe. I also find students discussing it with others after they have taken the class is another motivator for others to take the class as well.
WHAT CAREER ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I would definitely tell younger me to work on being more organized with paperwork and to be better at communication. Keep working at your current goals and adapt and adjust them on your way.
IF YOU COULD MAGICALLY LEARN ONE SKILL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
If I could magically learn one skill inside of the piping trade, I would have to go with tig welding. Outside of the trade, I think I would have to go with how to throw a slider and pitch a fastball over 100 mph.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY ANIMAL AS A PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I’m pretty sure I would have to go with a tiger as a pet. They have just always been my favorite animal.
WOULD YOU RATHER WORK AT THE BEACH OR IN A LOG CABIN?
I have to go with both on this. I will be working on the beach, building the log cabin. There would have to be trees fairly close to the beach and the beach would have to have some nice white sand. It might even have to be a beach on a deserted island.
