Building Hardware Education and Training

Finding the right information to enhance your knowledge of building hardware
By Erika Peterson Construction hardware is an essential part of any building. Every structure requires a certain amount of hardware, and providers of building hardware have everything from door hardware to cabinet hardware that will fit any job. Providers of construction hardware work to supply hardware suppliers and hardware stores with the best products. As a professional in the building industry, you know the importance of the right home hardware tools and home hardware.
 

In the construction industry, building hardware education and training is an ongoing process. Every hardware supplier and home hardware store can have different ways to install building hardware. To keep up to date on the latest education and training for the hardware industry, remember the following:

1. There are specialized building hardware training programs.

2. Professional hardware supply associations offer education programs.

3. Conferences are ideal resources for building hardware education and training.

Complete a training course for home and industrial hardware

Training courses or classes are often the first line of training for providers of building hardware, but anyone in the industry can benefit from these courses. The best classes offer a selection of topics about building hardware and building hardware tools. Courses can be offered by a hardware brand name or an independent educational institution.
Try: The Door Hardware Institute offers educational courses for home hardware. For specific brand name focused training, check out Sargent. Its hardware is used for home improvement, restoration and industrial projects.

Gain an association membership for access to updated hardware training courses

Regardless of your job or business in the building hardware industry, there is at least one professional association that would welcome you as a member. Associations offer a large variety of training programs that can't be found elsewhere.
Try: For retail store owners and managers, the North American Retail Hardware Association offers training programs that focus on the home improvement hardware and home restoration hardware sections of the industry. To educate yourself on the performance standards for all architectural hardware in the United States, check out the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association.

Attend a building hardware conference for continuing training options

In any industry conferences offer unique training opportunities. For providers of construction hardware, hardware store owners and hardware suppliers conferences are the ideal place to learn about new pieces of building hardware.
Try: The Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association offers an annual conference that focuses on bath hardware. For a broader conference topic range, attend The Hardware Conference. It is open to anyone within the industry.

• Be sure to check on association membership requirements before signing up for a home hardware training opportunity. Some associations save training classes for members only.