The Proper Training Resources
The Residential Construction Academy Series (RCA Series) has set the standard in residential construction materials. An HBI partnership with educational publisher Thomson-Delmar Learning has produced 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 — “Carpentry,” “Electrical Principles,” “House Wiring” and “Basic Principles for Construction”
- 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
- A national registry for students who have successfully completed instruction through a credentialed institution.
The full array of RCA Series materials in HVAC, plumbing and facilities maintenance will debut this year. “Basic Principles for Construction,” a companion text published in December, provides an introduction to the series, covering such areas as career, workplace, math and communications skills. The list of credentialed programs has grown to now include 14 states.
A Designation for Residential Construction Superintendents
The Residential Construction Superintendent (RCS) designation is also under the RCA umbrella. Geared toward budding field superintendents and benefiting current site personnel, the RCS designation, 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 HBAs and at national and regional trade shows, the courses are taught by a growing list of HBI-approved instructors, including many, well-known industry leaders. The 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 2,000 people have attended Super Series courses. “This training is crucial to the effectiveness of site superintendents in managing a work site," according to 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,” Harrell says, "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."
Super Series courses are scheduled at 10 locations this year in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada. Twenty-six courses are on the roster for the first quarter, with new locations in Virginia and Illinois.
For more information on HBI’s Residential Construction Academy, e-mail Steve Kramer at HBI or call him at 800-795-7955 x 8925.
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