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National Designation Month Draws 1,700 Participants
More than 1,700 members completed their professional designation coursework — giving them an edge over their competition — during NAHB’s National Designation Month in February, according to preliminary attendance figures. This was the third year the building industry’s education achievement program was held.
 In addition to the high number of participants, the number of classes offered has grown from 53 in the first year to 130 this year as more associations became involved in offering valuable education classes to their members.
Members attended designation classes in order to hone their business skills, increase their professionalism and gain invaluable in-depth industry knowledge. They also learned how to market their increased professionalism to potential clients.
“It’s refreshing to see educational courses tailored to the residential building industry’s needs as well as the needs of large and small builders,” said Eric Bluestone, Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and president of the Bluestone Organization, a New York City-based company that specializes in building low-income.
As part of National Designation Month, NAHB also educated the public about the value of selecting builders and remodelers who hold designations.
Designation Month Across the Country:
- The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders Remodelors Council conducted a variety of classes during the month, including “Working With and Marketing to Older Adults” and several home modification courses.
- Michael Roarke, of Roarke Custom Builders, Inc. in East Greenbush, N.Y. and a recent CGR graduate, thought the coursework and networking opportunities were “outstanding.” “A whole new world had just opened up,” Roarke said. “The irony of it all is that I now want to take more courses, whether they are required or not.”
- Thomas Mullen, MIRM, CMP, of Thomas E. Mullen & Associates in Indianapolis, noticed that the number of designation candidates attending the International Builders’ Show has more than doubled since last year. “The growth of people participating in the program is a major educational statement for NAHB,” Mullen said.
- Diane Beaton is chair of the Construction Institute of New Hampshire, the education arm of the state association, and is a Certified Graduate Associate (CGA). She has been working on a public relations campaign that focuses on the benefits of using a builder who has earned a designation. “Having my designation is also opening doors so I can get into larger organizations, those that build 250 homes or more a year, to talk about the advantages of getting a CGA.” Beaton said.
For more information about NAHB’s designations programs, visit www.nahb.org/designations.
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Sample Designations from NAHB |
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Certified Graduate Associate (CGA)
Developed specifically for NAHB associate members (including suppliers and financial services providers), the CGA program offers participants an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the fundamentals of the home building industry.
- Certified Graduate Builder (CGB)
An overview of key areas in today’s home building industry, the CGB curriculum covers business management, financial strategies, marketing techniques, construction technologies and more.
- Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR)
An exclusive professional designation that emphasizes business management skills as the key to a professional remodeling operation, the CGR designation trains remodelers in project management, design estimating and job costing along with other core skills relevant to the remodeling industry.
- Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
Developed by the NAHB Remodelors™ Council in collaboration with the AARP, NAHB Research Center and NAHB’s Seniors Housing Council, the CAPS program provides comprehensive, practical, market-specific information about working with older and maturing adults to remodel their homes for aging-in-place.
- Registered in Apartment Management (RAM)
The longest running and most well-respected program of its kind, the RAM program is a comprehensive educational curriculum developed to augment the professional skills of managers of apartments, condominiums and cooperative housing.
- Member, Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM)
The most prestigious designation from the Institute of Residential Marketing, the MIRM represents the highest level of achievement for professionals in new home marketing. MIRM graduates are required to complete all mandated coursework and submit a case study for approval before graduating from the program.
For more information about NAHB’s designations programs, visit www.nahb.org/designations.
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‘Residential Property Management’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Residential Property Management,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is the savvy property management guide to success. This comprehensive reference tool is the core text of the Registered Apartment Manager (RAM) program.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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