Education
The HBRA of Fairfield County is committed to bringing our members the latest information on education in the home building field. We offer courses through NAHB University of Housing, as well as seminars through registered HBRA members. Below is a list of commonly preferred courses and their designations. Be sure to check our Calendar of Events—Education section—for additional course offerings and updates.
Marketing & Communication Strategies for Aging & Accessibility (CAPS I)
Millions of Americans are living longer and more active lives. And with their changing lifestyles, maturing Americans are also looking to revitalize their home environments. Identifying these opportunities and developing the skills to interact with 50+ customers can help you grow your business dramatically. Learn best practices in communicating and interacting with this exciting and evolving population, and take advantage of one of the fastest growing market segments in remodeling and related industries. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the three segments within the Aging in Place market that present business opportunities for building professionals.
- Implement a process for promoting new opportunities for products and services in the Aging in Place market.
- Enhance your sales process with effective techniques for the Aging in Place market.
Continuing Education Hours: 6.0
Designations: CAPS, CGA, Master CSP
Continuing Education Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II)
The maturing of the U.S. Baby Boomer population is a huge opportunity for remodelers. As this consumer group expands, more and more are interested in remodeling their home to fit their new lifestyle and abilities. This Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) course will help you understand the guidelines and requirements of accessibility, the importance of doing an assessment with input from occupational and physical therapists as well as qualified health care professionals, and the significance of good design in making modifications that can transform a house into a safe, attractive, and comfortable home for life. As a graduate of this course, you'll be able to:
- Describe the home ownership market as it relates to the three segments of the Aging in Place market
- Consider contractual and legal concerns for building professionals providing design solutions to the Aging in Place client
- Perform a needs assessment to identify and prioritize the needs, wants and wishes of the Aging in Place client
- Recommend specific design solutions for the Aging in Place client
- Estimate and schedule the Aging in Place project while regarding special considerations
- Identify considerations for executing the job while the client is in residence
Continuing Education Hours: 6.0
Designations: CAPS, CGA, Master CSP
Continuing Education Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
Business Management for Building Professionals
Learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. This course will give you a solid foundation in those best business practices so valuable to smaller businesses: planning, organizing, staffing/directing and controlling. By using case studies and sample forms, your instructors give you practical and applicable tools for management success. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
- Discuss common business challenges and learn practical tips and tools to overcome them
- Explain the three basic functional areas within a company
- List the five main tools used to improve a business
- Apply each of the five Ps to the three functional areas of the business
- Identify methods of recruiting, interviewing, training, and retaining quality personnel
- Apply the key measures of business performance to your own business
Continuing Education Hours: 6.0
Designations: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CGR, Master CGP, Master CSP
Continuing Education Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
Green Building for Building Professionals
Implementing cost-effective green building into your construction practices begins with up-front planning that examines the whole house and the building science behind it. In this two-day course, you will learn how to apply the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard™ in the construction of a new home, remodel, site development or multifamily project. With a focus on flexibility and a sound knowledge base, the course provides the tools for a successful green project. As a graduate of this course, you will learn:
- How to integrate sound building science principles into design decisions and the materials selection process.
- How to incorporate the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard
- Examine specific best green building practices in each chapter of the National Green Building Standard
- How to evaluate and sell in the growing green marketplace
Continuing Education Hours: 12.0
Designations: CGA, CGB, CGP, GMR, Master CGP, CGA, CGB, CGP, GMR, Master CGP
Continuing Education Credits: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, MIRM
Get everything you need to start earning NAHB’s fastest-growing designation, the Certified Green Professional (CGP), including courses and other requirements CLICK HERE
The National Association of Home Builders is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this event will be reported to CES Records for AIA members by the Provider. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available upon request.
For more information about this item, please contact NAHB Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154 or via email at designations@nahb.org.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): 10-Hour Construction Training
The OSHA 10-hour construction training course is designed for construction workers, foremen, job supervisors, and anyone involved in the construction industry. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an OSHA construction safety and health 10-hour course completion card from the Department of Labor. (Note: this is also the course required for workers to access specific construction sites per laws in the States of Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Nevada)
Learning Objectives:
- State the purpose of the OSH Act and list the functions of OSHA
- List the OSHA inspection priorities and describe the inspection process
- Describe the rights and responsibilities of employers & employees under the OSH Act
- Understand the requirements for compliance with various construction standards
Topics covered:
• Introduction to OSHA • General Safety & Health Provisions • Electrical • Fall Protection • Personal Protective & Lifesaving Equipment • Materials Handling, Storage, Use & Disposal • Hand & Power Tools • Scaffolds, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators & Conveyors • Excavations • Stairways & Ladders
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): Fall protection
Since 1995, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has required workers engaged in residential construction who are working six (6) feet or more above a lower level to be protected by conventional fall protection (i.e., guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems). However, if an employer can demonstrate that conventional fall protection is infeasible or presents a greater hazard, OSHA allows the use of alternative fall protection measures for particular types of residential construction work. The alternative fall protection measures that will be used to eliminate or reduce the possibility of workers falling must be included in a written, site-specific fall protection plan meeting the requirements of OSHA’s fall protection regulation (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
Changes As of June 16, 2011
On Dec. 16, 2010 OSHA rescinded STD 03-00-001 - STD 3-0.1A - Plain Language Revision of OSHA Instruction STD 3.1, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction which had been in place since 1995. This directive allowed employers doing specified residential construction activities to comply with the requirements of OSHA’s Subpart M by implementing alternative fall protection and work procedures prescribed in the directive, however without a prior showing of infeasibility or greater hazard and without a written fall protection plan. OSHA did not intend STD 3.1 to be a permanent policy and it has been replaced by STD 03-11-002 Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction, which became effective June 16, 2011.
Additional Fall Protection information:
Residential Fall Protection
Fall Protection in Residential Construction
OSHA Inspection Process
OSHA Inspections Fact Sheet
The New OSHA - Reinventing Safety and Health
Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) RRP
Lead Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.
To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, which began April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider. To become an EPA Lead certified firm, find a local accredited training program near you.
Additional EPA Lead Links
EPA Lead HOME
EPA Lead Certification Process
Renovate Right Brochure
Sample Contracts