Watch the video on Keeping Up-to-Date.
Lets say it's time to tune-up your brand new pick-up truck. Where would you rather take it: to a mechanic who is certified in the latest makes and models, or someone who thinks all vehicles are the same and hasn't attempted to learn anything new since 1971?
That's a no-brainer.
Today, trade contractors have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of their crafts more than ever before. By seeking out and taking advantage of the resources on and off the job site, trade contractors can improve the quality of their work, reduce their call-backs, and get more jobs.
For decades the most common approach to sharing information among trades was to simply "show and tell." A master craftsman would bring junior apprentices into the fold and coach them on the standard practices of that time. When the apprentices completed their apprenticeship, they were ready to work on their own and pass their knowledge to the next generation.
This form of training is very inconsistent and relies on exact memory. As new building products, styles, or technologies are introduced, the trade contractors may have a hard time finding all the answers they need for the job.
Today there are many resources available to builders who want to improve their knowledge. Here are a few suggestions:
- Specific product supplier representatives can often provide onsite training for their products. If a supplier is rolling out a new product line, ask them for an installation demonstration.
- Your local HBA should have a wealth of information for you, some of it even free!
- Don't forget the National Association of Home Builders either, or your specific trade organization.
- Government programs like Building America have searchable libraries for specific information, and many training opportunities.
- Companies like BuildIQ offer online training courses for builders. Online or computer-based training can be done at your own pace, so you can take it as you need it and spend less time off the job site.
A few trade contractors today balk at the notion of training, or updating their building methods. From an emotional standpoint, change can be scary; but refusing to adopt new and better technologies isn't just bad business, it can be dangerous. Safety should always be a concern of everyone on the job site, and with new technologies can come new dangers. What's more, changing building methods can sometimes confuse customers, so trade contractors need to be able to explain why the methods are changing. By getting off the job site and seeking new avenues of information, everyone will benefit, from the builder, to the tradesman, to the homeowner.
Are you certifiable?
Many states today are offering (and sometimes requiring) certifications for specific tasks. Trades can also participate in continuing education programs where they can get certified on specific sub-jobs within their field. Here are a few examples:
- A plumber who attends a class on installing an advanced tubing system for a new sprinkler system.
- A framer who attends a seminar on open web structural framing.
- Insulation installers can learn to create a tighter building envelope by using cellular spray foam.
Trade-specific certifications can cost up to a thousand dollars and may need to be renewed every few years. By treating a certification as a competitive advantage for your business, you can use the knowledge to apply for (and land) new jobs.
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