In-Class Courses

Who should attend:  

Contractors, Trade Contractors, Owners, Consultants, Project Managers, and allied professionals in the construction industry.

The Course:

Why would a contractor, Owner Consultant or Subcontractor need to know Best Practices for closing out a construction project?  The answer is simple - if you can't get it done then you can't reach Substantial Performance and then Total Performance.  Those are two of the most difficult milestones to achieve.

This full-day session will discuss how the principles of organizing early, teamwork and communication work together to achieve a successful project close-out.

The course features 6 "close-out" phases:

• Pre-Construction
• Construction
• Post Construction
• Organizational
• Subcontractor
• Financial

Topics discussed will include O&M manual development and tracking, pre-construction meetings, commissioning, planning, permits, deficiency, QA/QC management, Substantial Performance, Final Completion, etc.

Participants will be introduced to best practices and "tips and tricks" that will expedite and simplify the takeover of a project by its Owner from the Contractor who managed the construction - so that the last 3% of the project is not 15% of the effort!

Effective Contract Administration ONLINE

Course Outline 

As a buyer of construction services, you may believe that shifting risk to the construction team will result in better performance on-site. This may or may not be successful. With constant change and pressure on the supply chain, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers balance their pricing based on the terms and conditions in contract. Onerous terms will lead to a reduction in quality bids, not only from the GC but from the subcontractors that make up 90% of the project cost. Claims are on the rise, disputes are lining lawyers pockets and projects are distressed. Design your terms with a few simple rules in mind, and through terms and conditions of contract you will build a more collaborative work environment, and ensure a more smooth delivery of your project, with far less stress along the way. 

This session is ideal for anyone considering deploying the use of standardized contracts in their organization or contemplating developing supplemental general conditions.

Reference Documents Provided and Examined:

OAA 600, RAIC Six, CCDC 2 Educational Copy

Standard Cancellation Policy applies

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Microsoft Excel for Construction (Advanced) - Instructor-Led Webinar Overview 

Is running or analyzing a business or individual jobs vital for you? We will demonstrate tools to help you better calculate your business metrics, and examine business scenarios all through the use of Microsoft Excel. 

Topics 

1. Project Forms for Estimating, Costing

• Industry Best Practices for Creating Professional Forms 
• Developing "what if" analysis for estimates and project plans 

2. File Security 

• Locking Cells 
• Protecting Worksheets 
• Protecting Data 

3. Creating Forms (Estimate Sheets, Production Calculations) 

• Data Validation 
• If Statements 
• Date Functions 
• LookUps (Vlookup, Match, Hlookup, Index) 

4. Helping Users 

• Comments 
• Naming 

5. Project Bidding 

• Incorporating Excel spreadsheets in other documents 
• Linking and Automatic Updates 
• Precedents and dependents 
• Auditing/Verifying information

Standard Cancellation policy applies.

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Microsoft Excel for Construction (Basic) - Instructor-Led Webinar Overview 

The course will teach you how to use Excel to create estimates, track expenses, calculate overruns, track production rates, and calculate material usage. 

By the end of the workshop, you will be well-versed in the most widely-used functions of Excel. You'll know how to minimize errors and misrepresentations of numerical data. You will be able to create estimates and project plans, track expenses quickly, and create summary cost reports. You'll also be able to provide better advice and accurately present information to your clients. 

Course Objectives 

- Create better, more accurate financial estimates of projects 

- Calculate and create records of production rates 

- Spend less time and effort maintaining better financial records of business expenses 

- Spend less time and effort in creating financial reports 

- Be able to track costs and revenues by job effectively 

Topics 

1. Structuring a basic estimate table 

2. Formulas 

3. Filling a series with formulas 

4. Sum totals 

5. Formatting 

6. Simple Graphics 

7. Linking to Word/PowerPoint 

8. Print Layouts 

9. Templating 

10. Recovering Unsaved Files 

11. Duplicating Sheets 

12. Internal linking 

13. Date Functions And Scheduling 

14. Custom Lists 

15. Data Aggregation With Filters/Subtotals/Sumif 

16. Advanced Formulas 

17. Conditional Logic and IF statements

Standard Cancellation policy applies.

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This is a 4 PART interactive web-series. All 4 parts must be completed for Gold Seal credits. Registration and payment is for ALL four parts. A link will be sent to all attendees the day PRIOR, once payment is received in full.

Part 1: Scheduling

Part 2: Resources

Part 3: Tracking Changes

Part 4: Cost Control

Every project manager understands scope creep, pressure on the schedule, and the necessity for cost control. One of the most effective tools for scheduling and cost control is MS Project. It is a communication tool that provides the project manager with a road map for project execution. It is a tool for managing deadlines and minimizing cost overruns. 

This is why, increasingly, government organizations are requiring MS Project schedules as part of the bidding process. Even subcontractors are being requested to provide such schedules. 

Learn to utilize MS Project effectively. 

The typical PM must juggles dozens of functions and hundreds of tasks all while trying to stay on budget, meet deadlines and keep every stakeholder informed. This workshop will demonstrate how to use MS Project to meet these challenges.
Participants will learn to: 

• Translate estimates into schedules in MS Project and verify accuracy. 
• Submit electronic project plans and Gantt charts with bids. 
• Manage workloads and workflow.

Microsoft Project for Construction will show the project manager how to plan, monitor and schedule projects using resources such as people, equipment, time and money. This course will demonstrate how to effectively track and analyze projects with a better understanding of the impact of changes. Construction business management is improved with better information such as current and interactive project status and financial data.

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Course Description

The latest version of the popular prompt payment and mechanics of adjudication drills down on the details required, limitations embedded in the legislation for payment certifiers. Gone are the days of your certificate being the reason or the amount contractors get paid. In fact, owners will build in clauses in your consulting agreement that will hold you liable for non-performance if the certificate is not issued promptly. Join your professional colleagues to learn what contractors now know and the new power they have to adjudicate in the event of a disagreement on values.

The entire system is designed to get the supply chain paid, and if not, now provide a valid reason why not - in writing!

The Guide and Forms for Prompt Payment and Adjudication includes: 

• Forms 1.1 to 1.5 and Form 6 requirements of Notice to meet the Act
• Posters showing workflow you can use at the job site, or in your offices
• Best Practices to avoid adjudication
• Flow Chart showing how each form works and critical dates to send Notices in writing.

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This Version 2, is the latest iteration of practical workflow skills to implement prompt payment and invoicing properly to meet the requirements of the new Construction Act regulations. Designed
for General Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers, this session focuses on your rights, remedies and obligations to ensuring you are playing by the rules of the regulations. The result, getting paid quicker than before, and better, knowing every step of the way where your money is in the payment system. Includes the new Guide and Forms published by Constructionlab (a $49.00 value) 

The Guide and Forms for Prompt Payment and Adjudication includes: 

Forms 1.1 to 1.5 and Form 6 requirements of Notice to meet the Act

Posters showing workflow you can use at the job site, or in your offices

Best Practices to avoid adjudication

Flow Chart showing how each form works and critical dates to send Notices in writing. 

Learning Outcomes

1. How to invoice properly and what to include to ensure your invoice is not rejected 
2. Best Practices to avoid an adjudication proceeding

1. Insight into determining if to trigger an adjudication

1. How to ensure you get paid in accordance with the regulation

Knowing how to find out where the money is flowing from above you using S. 39 of the Act Standard Cancellation Policy applies

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In this one-day course, you will be introduced to the new rules of prompt payment under Bill 142, the new Construction Act, which will come into effect in October 2019. Additionally, you'll receive an overview of the mechanics of the adjudication process and when it is automatically or voluntarily triggered.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will receive one Gold Seal credit after completing this course.

This two-day course is ideal for project managers, estimators, and site supervisors who have used Basic MS Project and understand the need for good project tracking. You will learn how to create an easy two-week look-ahead schedule in order to work effectively with workers and subtrades on a job site. It should take no more than a few mouse clicks to let trades know when they should be on-site, or to demonstrate to clients what effect a particular change will have on scheduling and costing.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will receive two Gold Seal credits after completing this course.

Why would a contractor, owner consultant, or subcontractor need to know best practices for closing out a construction project? The answer is simple: if you can't get the project done, then you can't reach substantial performance or total performance, which are two of the most difficult milestones to achieve. This one-day course will discuss how the principles of organizing early, teamwork, and communication work together to achieve a successful project close-out.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn one Gold Seal credit after completing this course.

Newly revised!

This is a newly revamped version of the former Construction 101 course, developed by the Canadian Construction Association. As part of the update, the course has been renamed "Construction 101 and Beyond".  This new name is appropriate in that not only is this a great introductory course for new members to the construction industry, it is also extremely applicable to seasoned members who would like a refresher and keep up-to-date with changes in industry processes.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn two Gold Seal credits after completing this course.

Newly revised!

Designed to arm project managers, coordinators, site forepersons, and contract administrators with the soft skills they need to excel in a social organizational environment, this two-day course explores four key areas of construction project management. The four key areas that this session covers are negotiation, communication, productivity, and leadership.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn two Gold Seal credits after completing this course.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn two Gold Seal credits after completing this course.

Effective and thorough project planning prior to commencement of work on a new site is essential to the overall success of any construction project. Since the focus in construction is often directed toward winning the work and rushing to start the job, there often is not adequate time given to planning the work in advance. This one-day course will discuss the elements of creating an efficient and organized Construction Execution Plan, which includes:

• understanding scope
• contractual requirements and budget
• assigning the best project team
• site logistics
• scheduling
• project resources
• risk identification
• and more.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn one Gold Seal credit after completing this course.

This course will help you to navigate the often murky waters of ethical decision-making, to be aware of the ethical issues surrounding you and your workplace, and what to do about it. Ethical behaviour benefits both you and your company, providing you both with a reputation of trustworthiness and integrity when conducting business.

Gold Seal Accreditation

This course is MANDATORY to receive Gold Seal Certification.

You will earn one Gold Seal credit after completing this course.

Have you worked on construction sites for years and are now in the office? Are you finding yourself asking co-workers too often because your computer skills are not as effective as they should be? This course will help make the transition into the office environment a smooth one. In this two-day course, you will learn about Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Project, and more. The focus will be on construction-specific examples and scenarios.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn two Gold Seal credits after completing this course.

In today's working world, there can be as many as five generations working together at a single job site. Each has its own unique personality and way of doing things, and it can be challenge to engage them as a unified group. In this interactive one-day workshop, you will learn what drives, motivates, and inspires individuals from each generation. You will also acquire the skills needed to improve communication, performance, and engagement among them.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn one Gold Seal credit after completing this course.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn two Gold Seal credits after completing this course.

Most work, contracts, and jobs that you win come from your contacts. Social networking is a powerful way to grow that network. It provides a set of tools to get your brand and your message out, and is the easiest and most effective way to improve your visibility. This one-day course will show you how to use these tools to increase your business, covering industry best practices in utilizing Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest accounts.

Gold Seal Accreditation

You will earn one Gold Seal credit after completing this course.