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
Introduction to Blueprint Reading
October 8, 2018-November 12, 2018 – Mondays 6:00-8:30 pm, $250 pp, includes textbook
Course Details and Registration
New York State’s New Sexual Harassment Laws: What Every Employer Needs to Know
November 7, 2018 – 8:30am to 9:30am – $25 per person for members/$50 for non-members
New York State has mandated new sexual harassment prevention requirements applicable to all New York employers. The new requirements impose employer responsibilities and restrictions including: mandatory annual training, specific policy requirements as they pertain to current employees and new hires, prohibitions on arbitration and confidentiality clauses.
Join Employer Services Corporation (ESC) as we explore and review these new regulations and share best practices on how to implement them for your business.
Course Details and Registration
How and Why to Review Insurance Certificates
November 14, 2018 – 8:30am to 10:00am – $10 per person for members/$30 for non-members
Insurance claims are a fact of life in the construction industry. But, understanding insurance and how it impacts your company can be difficult. Knowing how your contracts affect your insurance and vice versa can be complicated even for the seasoned veteran.
So be sure to join us for this presentation on:
1. Understanding insurance provisions and insurance certificates in construction contracts, including additional insured requirements;
2. Discussing Commercial General Liability Policies; Umbrella/Excess Policies; Builder’s Risk Policies; and other insurance that often required in construction contracts.
3. Addressing the risks and consequences for failing to fulfill a contract’s insurance requirements;
4. Explaining when insurance does or does not apply to claims made on construction projects;
5. Understanding a contractor’s right when the insurance carrier issues a reservation of rights letter;
6. Making a claim that triggers another contractor’s insurance coverage;
7. Responding to a claim that implicates your insurance coverage.
Course Details and Registration
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
