Western New York's Source for Construction Learning
The Construction Exchange provides educational programs for members that are tailored for the construction industry. Offerings range from eight-week workshops to hour-long seminars.
Please visit the Calendar of Events for upcoming courses.
Workshops and Seminars
Tee it Up for Sales Success
September 12, 2018 – Beginning at 8:00am – $55 per person includes the workshop, 18 holes of golf and a golfer’s lunch.
Sales, and golf, are mental games. Join Don Hahn and the rest of the class for an intriguing, thought provoking, and memorable workshop in which you will explore 9 principles to sales success firsthand. Walk the “Front Nine” with us! Don guarantees you’ll leave with a few more shots to put in your “sales bag.” After the workshop join in for 18 holes at the Links @Ivy Ridge.
Course Details and Registration
Online Plan Room Training
September 21, 2018 – 8:30-9:30 am – No cost to members or nonmembers
This is a group Online Plan Room Training is for our members’ new staff/employees, existing employees who want to learn the system’s best practices and staff from non-member companies that are looking to learn more about one of our exchange’s prime resources.
Course Details and Registration
Construction Industry Technician
October 24, 2018 to November 14, 2018 – 6:00pm to 8:30pm for four Wednesdays – $225 pp for members
Course Details and Registration
Introduction to Blueprint Reading
October 8, 2018-November 12, 2018 – Mondays 6:00-8:30 pm, $250 pp, includes textbook
Course Details and Registration
How and Why to Review Insurance Certificates
November 14, 2018 – 8:30am to 9:30am – $10 per person for members/$30 for non-members
Top 20 Contract Provisions Every Contractor Should Know
December 12, 2018 – 8:30am to 9:30am – $10 per person for members/$30 for non-members
Join us for this presentation that will review and de-mystify the “Top 20” most common and important construction contract clauses such as:
• Change orders
• Differing site conditions
• Scope of work and incorporation by reference
• Payment
• Insurance and Indemnity
• Delays
• Pay-if-paid/Pay-when-paid
• Suspension and Termination
• Warranties
• Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
• Liquidated damages
Participants will review sample contract provisions, understand key terms, get practical tips and points for negotiation. Your contract is your work, so be sure you understand it.
Safety Training
Click here to view the full schedule of safety courses available through Construction Exchange Safety Services. Or call Tom Bush at (716) 892 – SAFE (7233) to set up a private course.
Full Courses
Choose a course below for full details and to register.
Introduction to Blueprint Reading
The Introduction to Blueprint Reading course is geared for those with limited or no blueprint reading experience. Both field and office personnel are invited to participate. Upon completion of the six-week course, participants will:
- be able to interpret line conventions, abbreviations and symbols
- understand the different scales used on drawings and be able to tell the difference between architect’s scale and engineer’s scale drawings
- be able to recognize the various types of drawings included in a “released for construction” set of drawings
- be able to read basic construction drawings including plan views, elevations, sections and details
- perform coordination exercises using several drawings, for example, architectural and structure coordination
- be able to interpret the notes and schedules located on drawing
This course consists of 15 hours of classroom training held over six weeks, with class one night a week. The spring course is set to start on April 8, 2018 and the fall course will start on October 9, 2018. The course instructor, Cheryl McBride, has 35 years of experience in the construction industry and 14 years of experience teaching construction courses. The cost for the program is $200 and includes a textbook.
Construction Industry Technician Course
The CIT course was developed by the National Association of Women in Construction Education Foundation (NEF) and at one time was only offered to NAWIC members. Today, the CIT course is available to all members of the construction industry. This course presents an overview of the construction industry and covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Types of construction such as residential, commercial, civil
- Construction trade associations, professional societies, and institutes
- Forms of business ownership such as sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation
- Types of construction agreements and contracts such as negotiated, competitive bid, cost-plus
- Construction documents such as project manual, specification sections, types of drawings
- Construction process requirements such as pre-planning, permitting, project closeout
- Construction insurance and bonding
- is brand new to the construction industry and requires an overall introduction to the industry
- has limited general knowledge of the industry
- has a support staff role and requires deeper knowledge for career advancement
- is a technician or tradesperson with aspirations to advance to a field or office management position
- has a desire to learn as much as possible about the construction industry
Education Committee
The Construction Exchange Education Committee meets periodically to discuss the educational needs of the membership. The committee decides which courses to offer and helps to choose instructors. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Joe Benedict at (716) 874-3435.
Education Committee Members:
Karen Antonelli, Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner
Gary Bichler (Chair), R&P Oak Hill Building Company
Earl Cantwell, Hurwitz & Fine
Dave Guido, Encompass Management
Don Hahn, Hahn Training
Brendan Kelly, M&T Bank
Joe Marchitte, MKS Plumbing
Andrew McLellan, UNYSE
Drew Miller, Webster Szanyi
Byron Nakagawa, Bison Scaffold & Mason’s Supply
Greg Schober, Huber Construction
Shannon Seipel, Lafarge
Tim Toole, Lawley Insurance
