• NCMA/CSI Technical Sales Training Program
  NCMA and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) developed this course to educate sales personnel about the fundamental technical aspects of designing and building with concrete masonry and hardscape products. This training, which is primarily intended for those who regularly contact engineers, architects, or other specifiers, positions sales representatives as valuable resources for designers using concrete masonry. This course satisfies the educational eligibility requirement of NCMA’s Certified Consultant of Concrete MasonryTM (C3MTM) certification program; the C3M credential is highly valued and opens many doors in the design community. Previously, the Technical Sales Course consisted of two, week-long sessions, incorporating CSI content and concrete masonry and hardscape technical content. At the NCMA Annual Convention last week, the Education and Training Committee restructured the course: By encouraging students to complete the CSI content through local CSI chapters or online, rather than at NCMA headquarters, and by eliminating redundancies across the Phase I and Phase II content, the two weeks of instructional time have been consolidated into one week. Passing the CSI Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) exam (online or through local CSI chapters) will still be required to earn the C3M certification. Since students will receive the entire NCMA portion of the course content in one week, they will not need to return for a second week of class in the Fall, reducing their investment of time and travel costs by 50%. Tuition is $1450 for NCMA members and $2900 retail.
  


A Technical Sales Hot Topics Seminar (Post-Graduate), scheduled each fall every other year, brings Phase II graduates up-to-date on the latest advancements in concrete masonry technology and hot topics affecting the industry while stressing effective application of technical knowledge in sales. Topics covered in past Post-Graduate courses include: understanding the competition, understanding mold and moisture penetration, fire and safety, providing continuing education to design professionals, lessons learned, and impact of building code provisions. Tuition is $650 for NCMA members and $1,300 retail.



• AIA/CES Provider Training Program
  With an increased emphasis on continuing education, architects and engineers are turning to industry representatives to learn of new technology and design practices being implemented in masonry construction. To meet this need, NCMA, in cooperation with the American Institute of Architects’ Continuing Education Service (AIA/CES), developed this program to educate experienced sales and marketing professionals from the concrete masonry and allied industries on how to deliver continuing education programs covering concrete masonry products and systems to design professionals or in-house staff. In addition to presentation skills and forms of non-verbal communication, attendees are provided with a series of ready to use Power Point presentations covering topics such as crack control, fire resistance, moisture penetration abatement, ACB and SRW design and construction, thermal properties of concrete masonry systems, and mold abatement design and construction strategies using concrete masonry systems. For those who have their own provider number, for those considering getting one, and for those who simply want to use NCMA’s number, this program will help participants effectively convey critical information to designers and establish themselves as a valuable resource to their customers. Students must have completed the NCMA/CSI Technical Sales Training Program (Phase I and II) or demonstrate equivalent knowledge through the successful completion of a pre-qualification exam. Students who successfully complete this program are awarded with the NCMA AIA/CES Facilitator classification and are authorized to award AIA/CES continuing education credits to attendees of their seminars. Tuition is $900 for NCMA members.
  


• Concrete Masonry Testing Procedures Certification Course
  As the shapes, configurations, and applications of concrete masonry products continue to evolve, so do the governing standards for evaluating their properties and suitability for use in construction. To help ensure that all masonry products are fairly and accurately evaluated, and their compliance properly documented throughout all regions of the country, this course was established to educate users of product standards on the correct and uniform testing procedures applicable to concrete masonry products. Aimed at educating laboratory managers and supervisors, lab technicians, plant quality control supervisors, masonry technical service representatives, construction specifiers, and masonry sales personnel, this course reviews standards published by ASTM International pertaining to concrete masonry units, pavers, retaining wall units, masonry mortar, grout, and prisms. Hands-on laboratory sessions complement classroom instruction and reinforce correct testing procedures for any laboratory active in the testing of masonry materials. Instructors oversee the research and testing performed within NCMA’s Research and Development Laboratory and actively participates in the ASTM committees responsible for the development and maintenance of specifications and test methods for concrete masonry products. Participants who successfully complete a written and performance examination earn the title of Concrete Masonry Testing Technician. Tuition is $595 for NCMA members and $695 retail.



• Customer Service School
  The curriculum begins with a discussion of the many diverse roles of a customer service representative (CSR), as well as the relationship of a CSR within the company. These roles are many and include such areas as dispatcher, order taker, inside sales, delivery scheduler, operations manager, call center rep, showroom/retail sales, communicator, coordinator, motivator, referee, and many more unique to each company. What personality styles are best suited for the CSR role and understanding these different personalities enables the CSR to interface the various individuals and task that must be initiated for the best possible customer service relationship. Understanding the role and relationship with the customer, relationship with other departments in the company, skills helpful for the customer service provider, the importance of communication, listening skills, time management, urgency of effort, initiative, problem solving, understanding customer needs, handling complaints, redirecting anger, and stress management. The role of the customer service team is adding value, applying the tools of customer service, knowing your customer, effectively working with contractors, building a relationship, and understanding the role of sales and customer service. The Customer Service School benefits anyone in or training for a dispatching and related customer service task. Supervisors and managers overseeing the operations of concrete masonry manufacturing facilities will also benefit from this course. Tuition is $850 for NCMA members and $1,600 retail.



• Block and Landscape Products Sales School
  This course provides entry-level sales professionals with an overview of concrete masonry products and systems. In addition to product training, participants learn from experts in the building industry who supply information about market trends and selling to designers, contractors and landscape architects. Participants gain a solid foundation for selling products with confidence and dealing effectively with customers. (Note: The NCMA/CSI Technical Sales Training Program concentrates on the technical aspects of concrete masonry products, while the Block and Landscape Products Sales School focuses on product fundamentals and relationship selling skills.) The Block and Landscape Products Sales School is open to new personnel responsible for selling concrete masonry systems, seasoned sales personnel in need of additional training or refresher tips, and other staff responsible for customer service functions. Tuition is $975 for NCMA members and $1,500 retail.



• Segmental Retaining Wall Installer Education Program
  The SRW Installer Education Program is a two-level seminar series designed to reinforce national standardized installation and site practices within the SRW installer community. Level I is structured for all employees involved in SRW installation and provides fundamental instruction on minimum installation guidelines, material and system component properties, soils and compaction, site practices and equipment selection. Level II is currently under development. Those successfully completing the classroom seminar and passing a written examination become recognized as a NCMA Level I SRW Installer. Classroom seminars and certification exams are available from NCMA and NCMA members. The NCMA Level I exam is $125 for NCMA members and SRW Installers, and $350 retail. Contact NCMA for further information regarding the next available course date and location.



• Segmental Retaining Wall Installer Train-the-Trainer Course
  The SRW Installer Education Course and the Certified SRW InstallerTM (CSRWITM) Certification Program are delivered locally by NCMA-authorized industry representatives (SRW Installer Trainers). NCMA members whose employees complete this Train-the-Trainer course can provide a valued service to and build relationships with SRW installer contractors by sponsoring local course sessions and certification exams. This Train-the-Trainer course teaches SRW installation guidelines, material and system component properties, soils and compaction, site practices, and how to teach this subject to installers. Tuition is $200 for NCMA members.



• Segmental Retaining Wall Design Seminar
  The SRW Design Seminar is an one-day program structured for design professionals, specifiers, architects, and engineers engaged in segmental retaining wall design. The seminar takes an in depth look at the key roles and responsibilities of the project design team along with internal and external design provisions for segmental retaining walls; including sliding, overturning, bearing, pullout, tensile rupture, internal compound stability and facing connections. It also addresses design and detail considerations associated with surface and subsurface water. Each registered student receives a copy of NCMA's design manual for segmental retaining walls and design software.  Tuition is $450 for NCMA members and $500 retail.

Q. Where are programs held?


A. NCMA’s education and training programs are generally conducted at the association’s headquarters, in Herndon, Virginia, which is in the Washington, DC, metro area. NCMA is just minutes from Dulles International Airport and is convenient to several interstate highways. The association’s facilities include a fully-equipped classroom and a state-of-the-art laboratory devoted exclusively to research and testing of concrete masonry products. In addition, all of NCMA’s educational programs can be made available at your location with local co-sponsorship.

Q. Where are attendees lodged?

A. NCMA sets aside a block of rooms for program attendees at special reduced rates at designated hotels which are conveniently located to NCMA’s headquarters. The hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to and from Dulles International Airport.

Q. When are courses conducted?

A. NCMA’s schools are held throughout the year. Specific dates are published annually, and generally are between late fall and early spring. (See calendar inside). Separate announcements, with enrollment information and registration forms for each program are distributed to NCMA members in advance. In addition, you can find course descriptions in CM News and in the information packets mailed monthly to member companies.

Q. Who should attend?

A. This varies from program to program. For example, the NCMA/CSI Technical Sales Training Program has prerequisites requiring several years of experience and sequential attendance at each of the program’s three phases. Other schools are targeted at specific job functions within the concrete masonry industry. Refer to the course descriptions for each course in this brochure for further details.

Q. Are customized programs available?

A. Yes! NCMA staff can provide programs that are tailored specifically to meet your company’s needs, or those of your customers. The association will work with you to conduct training at your facility, at NCMA’s headquarters or at another convenient location. Topics that have been the focus of previous programs have included product specifications; masonry research and testing; codes and standards updates; structural design, specifications and construction; and quality assurance.

These customized programs — besides focusing on your needs — can save you time and money and promote teamwork between your employees and customers. Contact NCMA for specific details on program options and the cost to conduct them.

For more information on a specific program or training session
please call NCMA at 703.713.1900 or e-mail us.