By Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick
There is no question that training is “on trial,” being charged with incurring costs that exceed the value it brings to the business.  Business leaders are carefully examining training costs and questioning the expenditures.  Unfortunately there is quite a bit of evidence for the prosecution that shows that training alone only delivers about 15 percent effectiveness on the job.  The result is that training professionals are being found guilty around the world.

Sadly, even when training programs do bring significant value to the business as part of an integrated action plan, training professionals are often unsure of how to demonstrate the value in terms the business recognizes.  Attend the Training on Trial workshop on October 18 at the AGC Training and Development Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, to learn practical ways to create and demonstrate training value in your organization.  Wendy Kirkpatrick, co-author of the book Training on Trial, will facilitate this eye-opening and interactive program.

During the session, you will hear the statistics that threaten the training industry.  The workshop will then quickly direct participants to a positive, solution-oriented perspective.  Participants will learn the critical difference between effective training and training effectiveness.  Using the Kirkpatrick Four Levels™ as a framework they will discover the measurements that mean the most to their corporate jury.

This workshop will include group activities that allow participants to apply the principles and obtain a complete understanding of the concepts.  Participants will walk away with a list of specific actions they can take to increase the business value of their training programs.  Don’t miss this opportunity to obtain simple and practical ideas to strengthen the value of training in your organization and make a true business contribution.

For complete information about this and other sessions, as well as the schedule, hotel information, and registration form, visit the AGC Training & Development Conference website.

Wendy Kirkpatrick is the director of Kirkpatrick Partners, the One and Only KirkpatrickTM Company.  She is the co-author of Training on Trial (AMACOM 2010) and Kirkpatrick Then and Now (Kirkpatrick Publishing 2009).  Wendy is the co-developer of the Kirkpatrick certification programs and is a certified instructional designer.  She draws on two decades of business and training experience to make her teaching relevant and impactful.

AGC is proud to announce the release of the Newly Revised 2010 Version of the OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Outreach Training Programs powered by 360Training.com.

New features and updates include:
• New LCMS course player,
• Completely revised content to include the newly mandated two hour introduction to OSHA,
• More student interactivities,
• Engaging student questions and more.

The OSHA 10-Hour is designed for anyone involved in the construction industry. The OSHA 30-Hour is specifically devised for safety directors, foremen and field supervisors as the program provides complete information on OSHA compliance issues.

Programs are available 24/7 and provide working professionals the opportunity to continue their career development in off-hours and at their own pace. Upon successful completion of the courses, participants will receive an OSHA Construction Outreach course completion card from the Department of Labor.
These online courses have been reviewed and accepted by OSHA for online distribution.

OSHA 10-Hour Course: $89     With study guide: $125**
OSHA 30-Hour Course: $195    With study guide: $244**

**Study guide option: The new OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour study guides will ensure you are ready to take the final exam to receive your DOL Card. The Study Guide will assist you throughout the online course and can also be used for future reference.

GROUP RATES:
Group rates are available for orders of 10 or more. For group purchases, AGC can provide the supervisor with reports on the employees’ time in course, completion status and grades. To inquire about group rates, email education@agc.org.

Click here to purchase or learn more about the variety of online courses that AGC offers.

The new content launches August 18, 2010, and AGC has scheduled two webinars to help you learn more about this exciting program! 

That’s right, the release of AGC’s second edition of the Building to LEED® for New Construction curriculum is just around the corner, and we have TWO great webinar opportunities for members to learn more about this new resource and to prepare potential instructors to deliver the training.

August 12, 2010 – FREE Webinar: Building to LEED for New Construction, 2nd Edition Preview
Program will offer course administrators, instructors, company executives and training directors interested in sending employees to the course, and even those interested in attending the training themselves, a first look at the new course materials.

Following successful completion of this webinar, participants will have the ability to:
    • Identify the impact of LEED Green Building on the construction process,
    • Explain the differences between LEED for New Construction v 2.2 and v3 and 
      why the revision was necessary,
    • Identify the learning objectives for the new Building to LEED for New
      Construction course,
    • Discuss the GBCI’s credentialing process,
    • Discuss AGC’s green construction resources.

August 26, 2010 – Webinar: Building to LEED for New Construction Train-the-Trainer
Program will provide the skills essential to effectively instruct the second edition Building to LEED courses - specifically how to teach adult learners, encourage interaction among participants and use the course manuals to prepare for and deliver courses. Registrants of this webinar will receive a copy of the Building to LEED for New Construction, 2nd Edition, Instructor’s Guide as part of their registration fee —only $125 for AGC Members ($155 non-members).

Following successful completion of this webinar, participants will have the ability to:
    • Describe the changes made to the Building to LEED for New Construction, 2nd 
      Edition course approach,
    • Explain the course learning objectives,
    • Identify the target course audience and how to adapt the course to fit a 
      wide range of participants,
    • Distinguish the major differences between LEED v2.2. and 3 and how
       they are identified in the course,
    • Discuss the difference between design and construction submittals,
    • Recognize situations in which they should bring their own examples into the 
      class to demonstrate the impact of LEED on a contractor, and
    • Explain the various exercises included in the new course.

Click here to learn more or register for the programs. For more information, please contact curriculum@agc.org or (703) 837-5387.

This intensive, interactive course is based on the Kirkpatrick Four Level methodology for training evaluation: Reaction, Learning, Behavior and Results.

Participants will thoroughly explore the Kirkpatrick Four Levels and methodology, delve into the reasons why evaluation is critical to training success, and hear case studies and success stories from companies that have used the model effectively.

Course Objectives:
After this course, you will be able to:
• Objectively determine where to allocate training resources to create the most business impact.
• Create an effective program evaluation plan that maximizes business results and minimizes resources employed.
• Define the critical difference between effective training and training effectiveness.
• Evaluate programs using appropriate Kirkpatrick Four Level tools.

The Kirkpatrick Four Level online course starts on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, and runs each successive Wednesday through October 6, 2010. Participants can elect to participate in the first three segments of the program to receive the Kirkpatrick Four Level Evaluation certificate, or to participate in all five segments and be eligible to receive the Kirkpatrick Four Level Evaluation Certification. 

Click here for more information and to register online.

Today’s challenging climate offers many opportunities for sharp and confident project managers to succeed. Experienced project managers who attend AGC’s Construction Project Manager Course learn from industry experts while learning best practices from their peers gathered from across the country.

Date                                             Location
September 26-October 1                San Jose, Calif.
December 5-10                             Dallas, Texas

Participants are eligible to receive the following continuing education credits:
• 4.2 ANSI/IACET CEUs
• 42 AIA LUs
• Continuing Professional Development (CDPs) Units from the American Institute of Constructors (AIC)

Ideal candidates for AGC’s Construction Project Manager Course are project managers with six years of experience or two years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree.

Contact education@agc.org with questions or for more information.

The day when Building Information Modeling (BIM) will be standard practice on construction job sites is coming. Studies show that BIM use among project owners, architects and contractors has steadily increased and is projected to become even more widespread in the years ahead. BIM is leading the way to a fundamental paradigm shift for the entire AEC industry. While the ultimate goals are still the same — successful projects completed on time, on budget and with no claims — it is necessary to work in a collaborative environment to consistently achieve these goals. The tools and processes of BIM offer just such a collaborative approach. So what is BIM and how do you use it?

BIM 101: An Introduction to Building Information Modeling
June 15, 2010 — 7:30 AM-5:00 PM

BIM 101 discusses how BIM provides contractors with the benefit of improved visualization of a construction project through the use of a 3D virtual model, establishes a base of knowledge of BIM terminology and looks at the benefits of BIM and case studies showing implementation before encouraging participants to study how they could implement BIM.

Who should attend? This course will benefit individuals in the construction industry and involved in the construction industry, including; general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, design professionals and owners who are currently working on, planning to work on or are interested in beginning to use BIM. This course will be especially helpful for contractors considering implementing BIM within their firm.
Participants in this program are eligible for 8 AIA Learning Units, 0.8 IACET CEUs and 8 GBCI CE Hours.

BIM Technology
June 15-16, 2010 — 7:30 AM-5:00PM

BIM Technology presents a solid process for selecting BIM tools. The course explores the major applications and classes of tools across project phases; how BIM processes for QTO, shop drawing and fabrication, and construction scheduling can improve projects; and how models significantly improve estimating, scheduling and coordinating.
The goal of the BIM Technology course is to help participants become BIM champions within their organizations. The BIM Technology course is designed as a highly participatory, team-oriented event that balances group discussion and team assignments in an instructor-led format.

Who should attend?
Those who will benefit include building developers, owners, managers, supervisors, architects, engineers and construction product manufacturers. Students in the architecture, engineering and construction industry will also greatly benefit from this training.
Participants in this program are eligible for 16 AIA Learning Units and 1.6 IACET CEUs.

BIM Tours
June 16, 2010 — 1:00PM-5:00 PM

Tours of three local construction sites and buildings that have used BIM as an integral part of their design and construction process, including: The JE Dunn headquarters, a six-story, LEED Gold and a 100% BIM-designed project; and the Kaufmann Performing Arts Center, a 286,031 SF structure with three separate halls for various events including opera, ballet and theater. Due to the complexity of this project, Building Image Modeling was utilized by the design and construction team to create 2-D and 3-D models. This collaboration enabled the coordination of complex systems throughout the building.

BIMForum
On June 17 & 18, contractors, owners, architects and engineers will take over Kansas City to discuss BIM-enabled Lean Construction. BIMForum’s 1800 members have grown into an industry-leading group focusing on BIM and its effects on the construction industry. The BIMForum has quickly become the can't-miss event for those interested in the application of virtual design and construction for the AEC industry.
The June meeting will focus on the primary principles revolving around Lean Design and Construction,  how BIM can best be integrated into to Lean practices and how Lean can be Integrated into BIM practices, including:
    • How virtual design and construction and Building Information Modeling
      enhanced the deployment of Lean practices in specific projects and
      organizations.
    • How Lean practices enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of BIM efforts
       on projects and companies.
    • How technology (e.g. laser scanning, digital layout/laser-guided surveying,
      and RFID) is used in conjunction with BIM to support Lean methods.
    • How to conduct training programs to facilitate the deployment of BIM and
      Lean principles within an organization.

Learn more at register today.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 | 1:00-2:30 PM ET

Presented in partnership with Autodesk, Inc.

In recent years, new technologies and practices have fundamentally changed how building projects are delivered. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a prime example. When effectively implemented, it allows contractors to gain insight into cost, schedule and potential coordination issues - before work begins in the field. Construction companies that have embraced a model-based approach to construction have quickly realized that a successful BIM deployment can deliver exceptional value and ROI. Join us to learn how the Autodesk BIM Deployment Plan can help you gain a competitive advantage and capitalize on the benefits BIM delivers.

This webinar is free for both members and non-members. Learn more and register today.

Thursday, May 27, 2010  | 11:00AM – 12:30 PM ET

If you are considering a construction project using Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), you must have a clear understanding of its various forms.  Our panel of experts will provide an overview of IPD and will discuss key principles necessary for a successful IPD construction project.  Find out the differences between the ConsensusDOCS 300 Tri-party Agreement and the AIA “transitional” and “single-purpose entity” forms, including roles and responsibilities, structure and management, and costs and compensation.  Our panel of experts will explain the best and worst of the concepts embodied in the current standard form contracts on the market, by peeling back the legalese and presenting in layman’s terms what these forms really mean to you and your project.

Registration:
AGC Members:  $39
Non-Member:  $79

Duration: 90 minutes (including live Q & A)

Register today.  AGC Members receive a special discounted price of just $39. 

Please contact Megan McGarvey at mcgarveym@agc.org or 703-837-5369 should you have questions.

A Double-Header Webinar - May 18 & 20 | 2:00 m-3:30PM ET
May 18: Independent Contractor vs. Employee
May 20: Exempt vs. Non-exempt

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have announced in recent months that the construction industry will be the primary target for audits and other enforcement activities when it comes to worker misclassification.  As a result, construction HR professionals have been burdened with the responsibility of properly classifying workers and protecting construction companies from these enforcement activities. 

Do you know which workers in the construction industry are often misclassified as independent contractors instead of employees, even by the most experienced HR professionals?  Once it is determined that a construction worker is an employee, is the worker exempt or non-exempt?  These can sometimes be tough determinations to make, and with wage and hour lawsuits on the rise and record allocation of government agency funds for enforcement and random audits, all construction companies are at risk.  You already know the basics; now uncover the advanced issues about worker misclassification in a contractor-friendly manner.

• Help your company avoid devastating fines and penalties by correctly classifying
   workers
• Discover where even seasoned HR professionals are likely to make mistakes
• Know how to respond to confusing issues surrounding government audits and
  lawsuits
• Review best practices to help protect and ensure compliance
• Learn the best way to “correct” misclassifications that you’ve discovered
• Determine how to distinguish temporary workers from independent contractors
• Learn why written contracts may not protect independent contractor status
• Discover keys to writing job descriptions that will protect your company
• Learn to build a “good faith” defense with evidence to support exempt 
  classifications
• Know when and how to legally dock an exempt employee’s pay
• Discover how rest periods, off-the-clock work, Blackberries and cell phones
  can affect a worker’s status

Don’t miss this double-header, packed with practical construction-specific examples, recent case settlements and more!

Register online today.

*Both webinars have been submitted to HRCI & IACET for review.

AGC offers training online, through webinars and across the country. Be sure to check out our updated events calendar.