New Hire Training (NHT) Content
Four-Week Industry Orientation & Training Program
Program Intent
The PE Alliance New Hire Training Program is an intensive four-week curriculum designed to give new and recent hires a strong working understanding of the HDPE pipe and municipal water segment. The program introduces participants to HDPE pipe, fittings and equipment, fusion, installation methods, markets, customers and how an HDPE project moves from opportunity and design through bidding, construction and installation. The program is intended for employees throughout PEA member companies, not just sales personnel. The curriculum emphasizes practical industry knowledge particularly valuable to inside and outside sales professionals, operations personnel, technical staff and employees who interact with customers. The program does not teach sales strategies or tactics. Its purpose is to build knowledgeable, credible HDPE industry professionals.
Training is conducted over four intensive weeks in both Louisville and Tulsa. Participants should expect approximately 32 hours of scheduled programming during each training week, plus preparation, study and project responsibilities. The four weeks combine classroom instruction, hands-on training, demonstrations, field-oriented exercises, videos, group discussion, research, public speaking and individual and team presentations.
What Participants Will Learn
The curriculum begins with HDPE fundamentals: HDPE 101, products, markets, customers, installation methods, case studies and project anatomy. Participants then move into hands-on technical training covering butt fusion, fusion equipment, the DataLogger, electrofusion, pipeline operations and jobsite equipment. Later sessions address plans and specifications, standards, technical questions, above-ground applications, large-diameter pipe and the relationship between products, bidding, procurement and installation. Communication is also central to the program. Participants present technical information to instructors and peers, complete individual and team research projects and learn to explain HDPE concepts in their own words. The objective is to develop their ability to understand, apply and communicate what they learn. Participants will obtain their butt fusion qualification, learn how to conduct a butt fusion demonstration and how to present fundamental HDPE topics to an audience.
Training, Competency, Presentations & Examination
Participants receive extensive hands-on exposure to fusion and HDPE equipment. Small-diameter butt fusion training follows ASTM F2620 and ASTM F3190 guidelines and culminates in a manual butt fusion qualification. Participants must also explain the fusion process using the Alliance’s “Clean It, Shave It, Heat It, Fuse It” sequence. Individual and team projects require participants to research HDPE topics, distill technical information and communicate their findings effectively. The final week brings the curriculum together through project completion, presentations, exam preparation and oral and written examinations. Successful completion requires more than attendance. Participants must demonstratecompetency through fusion qualification, presentations, project work and examinations. The result is an employee with a broader understanding of the HDPE industry, its products, customers and how successful HDPE projects move from concept to installation.
PE ALLIANCE New Hire Training Program
Four-Week Curriculum & Module Catalog
This curriculum is organized around the current four-week New Hire Training schedule. Legacy module descriptions that do not correspond to the current schedule have been omitted. Durations are shown in minutes.
WEEK 1 — LOUISVILLE
Scheduled instructional time: 1880 minutes (31.5 hours)
| Module | Minutes |
| Fusion Demo (26) | 60 |
| Orientation | 120 |
| HDPE 101 | 200 |
| Featured Cases | 240 |
| Products | 180 |
| Markets | 120 |
| Who is the Customer? | 180 |
| Public Speaking | 180 |
| Anatomy of a Project | 120 |
| Installation Methods / Ten Videos | 180 |
| Project Orientation (Team and Solo) | 300 |
Fusion Demo on the 26 | 60 minutes
An overview of the four fusion types, centered on a butt fusion using the Alliance’s 26 McElroy machine. For many students, this will be their first fusion. Butt fusion receives the greatest attention because understanding fusion is fundamental to understanding the unique selling proposition of the HDPE pipe system.
Orientation | 120 minutes
An overview of the training program, including the schedule, expectations, phase deliverables and exams. Students are introduced to what will be expected of them throughout the program. Some basic HDPE concepts will be introduced.
HDPE 101 | 200 minutes
A foundational introduction to HDPE language, reasons for adoption and common barriers to adoption. The HDPE 101 presentation is examined closely, and student participation is encouraged because students will ultimately need to understand and present this material. This session includes common phrases, nine major markets, fusion, Alliance facts, members, PE saving the day, seismic, vocabulary, DataLogger, fittings, fabrication, deflection among other topics.
Featured Cases | 240 minutes
A review of selected HDPE projects and award-winning projects. The cases provide context for how and why HDPE is used and demonstrate the versatility, flexibility and toughness of HDPE pipe systems. It will discuss the end user and how and why they choose HDPE pipe. Comparison with other materials will be briefly discussed and the role of the value chain will be explored.
Products | 180 minutes
This three-hour session provides a comprehensive overview of the products and tools used in HDPE piping systems and their installation. Topics include molded and fabricated fittings, mechanical fittings, fusion equipment, ductile iron products, hydrants, valves, HDPE pipe, air release valves and other system components. The session will also examine construction tools and equipment by installation method, helping participants understand what products are used and how they support a successful installation.
Markets | 120 minutes
As a follow on to the brief ‘markets’ discussion in the HDPE 101 this session will dive deeper into the nine major HDPE markets, their key constituents, how HDPE is used within each market and the competing piping materials encountered in those applications.
Who is the Customer? | 180 minutes
An examination of the principal players in the municipal market and the role and motivations of each. Participants include civil engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, owners, operators, distributors, state agencies and inspectors.
Public Speaking | 180 minutes
Students develop comfort and confidence presenting in front of peers and a camera while learning the fundamentals of effective communication. Multiple presentation opportunities focus on organization, pacing, voice, body language and clearly communicating technical information. Instructor feedback and video review help students recognize strengths, correct distracting habits and become more effective presenters in customer and industry settings.
Anatomy of a Project | 120 minutes
Students follow an HDPE project from conception to completion, including need assessment, capital improvement planning, project naming, funding, designer selection, design, bidding, award, construction, punch-list work, warranty and use. The session emphasizes the key participants, decisions and responsibilities at each project stage.
Installation Methods / Ten Videos | 180 minutes
The most common HDPE installation methods are explored, including pipe bursting, open cut, HDD, sliplining, marine, plow, compression fit and above-ground installations. Selected Alliance construction videos reinforce the material by showing installation practices and field issues.
Project Orientation (Team and Solo) | 300 minutes
Students are introduced to individual and team projects requiring research, preparation and presentation. The work is designed to demonstrate the ability to research a topic using conventional resources, distill the information and present it effectively.
WEEK 2 — TULSA
Scheduled instructional time: 1,920 minutes (32 hours)
| Module | Minutes |
| Butt Fusion Qualification — Small Diameter | 600 |
| Fusion Types & Machines | 300 |
| DataLogger with Vault | 120 |
| Pipeline Operations | 120 |
| Electrofusion Orientation | 300 |
| Jobsite Accessories | 180 |
| Butt Fusion Oral Presentation | 300 |
Butt Fusion Qualification — Small Diameter | 600 minutes
Hands-on instruction for fusing pipe from 1/2-inch CTS through 6-inch DIPS using McElroy small/manual fusion machines. The goal is that each student will obtain their butt fusion qualification. The course uses ASTM F2620 as the fusion standard and follows ASTM F3190 training guidelines. Deliverable: manual butt fusion qualification. Pass or Fail.
Fusion Types & Machines | 300 minutes
A detailed look at the four fusion methods followed by hands-on orientation to the McElroy suite of fusion products, including machines, the DataLogger and productivity tools.
DataLogger with Vault | 120 minutes
Hands-on instruction using the McElroy DataLogger 8, including setup, operation, data capture and best practices for accurately recording and analyzing HDPE fusion-joint information, together with orientation to the Vault.
Pipeline Operations | 120 minutes
Provides students with tools to observe, understand and evaluate fusion operations, pipe stringing, testing and installation of HDPE pipelines. Students learn what to look for in the field, identify proper procedures and recognize conditions that may affect pipeline quality and performance.
Electrofusion Orientation | 300 minutes
Students receive hands-on electrofusion training covering equipment, fittings, preparation, scraping, cleaning, clamping, fusion procedures, cooling, inspection and troubleshooting, while learning the practices necessary to consistently produce reliable EF couplers and saddles. An EF qualification is not included in this introductory training.
Butt Fusion Oral Presentation | 300 minutes
Students must successfully present the manual butt fusion process to their peers using the Alliance’s “Clean It, Shave It, Heat It, Fuse It” sequence. Students are evaluated on their ability to accurately explain and present each required fusion process element. Deliverable: Pass/Fail based on successful presentation of all fusion elements.
Jobsite Accessories | 180 minutes
An introduction to equipment commonly used on an HDPE jobsite and how each item supports the project, including fusion machines, fusion accessories, pipe stands, excavators, telehandlers, testing equipment, pipe rollers, scrapers, trench boxes and compactors.
WEEK 3 — LOUISVILLE
Scheduled instructional time: 1,800 minutes (30 hours)
| Module | Minutes |
| Project Work (Team) | 180 |
| Project Work (Solo) | 180 |
| Product Orientation | 360 |
| Public Speaking | 300 |
| Installation Methods | 180 |
| FAQ | 240 |
| Standards | 120 |
| Ten More Videos | 180 |
| Above Ground | 30 |
| X to XXL Pipe | 30 |
Project Work (Team) | 180 minutes
Dedicated team work time for research, preparation and development of assigned projects and presentations.
Project Work (Solo) | 180 minutes
Dedicated individual work time for research, preparation and development of assigned HDPE projects with attendant presentation.
Product Orientation | 360 minutes
A broad “who’s who, what’s what” orientation to pipe, fittings, equipment, installations and videos. Product samples, videos, resin manufacture and pipe manufacturing are explored with group discussion as an integral part of the module.
Public Speaking | 300 minutes
Students continue practicing public speaking in front of peers to build confidence and presentation skills. Instruction emphasizes vocal control, body language, audience engagement, clear organization and effective use of visual aids.
Installation Methods | 180 minutes
Explores common HDPE installation methods including pipe bursting, open cut, HDD, sliplining, marine, plow, compression fit and above-ground installations, using still images and video to demonstrate the versatility of the pipe.
FAQ | 240 minutes
Addresses commonly asked questions regarding HDPE pipe design, key considerations, best practices and proven installation guidelines, with emphasis on questions regularly received by the PE Alliance engineering team.
Standards | 120 minutes
A review of standards related to HDPE pipe joining, training, testing and data collection, including standards and guidance from ASTM, DVS, ISCO, CSA, AWWA, PPI, NSF and other organizations.
Ten More Videos | 180 minutes
Additional Alliance construction videos are used as a basis for discussion and exploration, showing how HDPE pipe is installed and highlighting issues encountered in the field.
Above Ground | 30 minutes
Examines why owners use HDPE at and above grade in temporary and permanent applications. Students learn how unrestrained HDPE behaves when exposed to the elements and how designers account for that behavior. The session also addresses thermal expansion and contraction, anchoring, support, bending and other considerations important to successful above-ground installations.
X to XXL Pipe | 30 minutes
An introduction to 36” and larger HDPE pipe, competitive piping systems and the additional manufacturing, logistics, fusion and construction considerations associated with large-diameter projects. Cases will also be explored. Students will examine the unique planning, equipment, handling and field requirements that distinguish large-diameter projects from smaller HDPE installations.
WEEK 4 — LOUISVILLE
Scheduled instructional time: 1,800 minutes (30 hours)
| Module | Minutes |
| Products From Plans to Installation | 180 |
| Project Work / Presentation (Team) | 540 |
| Project Work / Presentation (Solo) | 540 |
| Exam Prep | 180 |
| Exam Study Block | 240 |
| Oral Exam | 30 |
| Written Exam | 90 |
Products from Plans to Installation | 180 minutes
Builds on the student’s understanding of HDPE pipe, fittings, equipment, installation methods, product samples, resin production, pipe manufacturing and field applications. Special attention is given to how these products are represented in drawing sets, specifications and construction details. Students will also explore how product selection carries through cost estimates, bidding, bid tabs, procurement and ultimately field installation.
Project Work / Presentation (Team) | 540 minutes
Team project completion and presentation. This exercise typically will address material properties, material behavior and installation methods. Students apply research, preparation and presentation skills to communicate technical information effectively.
Project Work / Presentation (Solo) | 540 minutes
Individual project completion and presentation. Students demonstrate their ability to research an HDPE topic, distill technical information and present it clearly. This exercise typically will address material properties, material behavior and installation methods. The student will present the content to the class and receive a Pass/Fail grade.
Exam Prep | 180 minutes
Students will participate in a structured review of the key concepts, technical principles and practical knowledge covered throughout the program. Instructors will use discussion, questions and examples to reinforce important material, identify areas requiring additional attention and prepare students for both the written and oral examinations.
Exam Study Block | 240 minutes
Dedicated private study time will be provided following the instructor-led review sessions. Students may use this period to revisit course materials, organize reference documents and concentrate on topics where additional preparation is needed.
Oral Exam | 30 minutes
Certain elements of the program require students to demonstrate their knowledge verbally rather than through a written response. The oral examination will evaluate the student’s ability to explain key concepts clearly, respond to follow-up questions and communicate technical information in their own words. The oral examination is a Pass/Fail program requirement.
Written Exam | 90 minutes
The 100-point written examination serves as a Pass/Fail culmination of the training phase and evaluates the student’s understanding of the program’s principal concepts and technical content. The exam is open book, allowing students to reference supplied course materials, but the use of AI or other external assistance is prohibited.