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HBI Construction Academy Sees Spectacular Rise

Teaching the Right Thing

The academy is becoming known as a leading developer of educational materials and programs based on national skill training standards that HBI and members of NAHB worked to establish in five construction trades. These guidelines are aimed at closing a disturbing gap between what many trade students are learning and what industry members expect from their entry-level workforce.

Standards for carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC have been completed; the final set of standards, for facilities maintenance, will be ready early next year.

The Proper Training Resources

The Residential Construction Academy Series (RCA Series) sets a new standard for residential construction materials. An HBI partnership with educational publisher Thomson-Delmar Learning resulted in the development of state-of-the-art, cutting-edge resources based on the skills training standards set by the industry. Used largely by high schools and post-secondary schools, the RCA Series offers:

• Four-color, fully illustrated textbooks and instructor guides in Carpentry, Electrical Principles and House Wiring.
• Eight 20-minute videos for each text and a CD-ROM featuring hands-on demonstrations.
• Program credentialing for educational institutions and training programs using the RCA Series. There are currently credentialed programs in 12 states.
• A national registry for students who have successfully completed instruction through a credentialed institution.

Materials on HVAC, Plumbing and Facilities Maintenance will be added next year. Basic Principles for Construction, a companion text that has just been published, is an introduction to the series covering such areas as careers, the workplace and math and communications skills. RCA Series materials are available through BuilderBooks.com.

A Designation for Residential Construction Superintendents

The RCA program also includes a Residential Construction Superintendent designation. Geared toward entry-level field superintendents as well as current site personnel, the RCS or Super Series is a set of eight courses on subjects NAHB members identified as critical to a field supervisory job. Offered through state and local home builders associations and at national and regional trade shows, the courses are taught by HBI-approved instructors, many of whom are well-known industry leaders.

The eight courses are:

• General Project Management
• Planning and Scheduling
• Budget Management and Cost Control
• Customer Service and Home Owner Relations
• Safety and Security
• Codes and Quality Control
• Hiring, Training and Supervision
• Office and Subcontractor Relations

In just one year, more than 1,300 people attended Super Series courses.

“This training is crucial to the effectiveness of site superintendents in managing a work-site,” said Bruce Harrell, CEO of HBW Insurance Services, a warranty insurance provider to the home building industry.

“Site superintendents are key players in effectively managing risk,” he said. "They are the frontline of defense in your risk management program, as they oversee construction quality and enforce job-site safety procedures. Training is key for this critical role in the home building process."

At press time, Super Series courses for 2004 are scheduled at nine locations in Florida, California, Michigan, Georgia and Connecticut. Twenty-six courses are on the roster for the first quarter of the year, with new locations in Virginia and Illinois.

For further information, e-mail Steve Kramer at HBI or call him at 800-795-7955 x8925.

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