The ready mixed concrete industry presents so many opportunities for employment. But it does take training and education to ensure that ready mix concrete workers are ready for the job. It's a multifaceted industry, from the workers in the plant to the drivers on the road to the concrete specialists in the field, as well as all the researchers behind the scene developing new ready mixed concrete products. All of these ready-mixed concrete jobs require specific training.

Much of the training and education focuses on worker safety. For example, driving ready mix concrete trucks or working in a ready mix concrete plant can be hazardous. Trucks can easily roll over, and ready mix concrete production workers must protect themselves from hazards inherent in the concrete. Ready mixed concrete workers must follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules to ensure their safety.

For information on ready mixed concrete education and training, check out the following ideas:

1. Contact ready mixed concrete associations for training they offer.

2. Rely on suppliers to help get you up to speed on education and training in the ready mix concrete field.

3. Attend seminars and trade shows for more information on ready mix concrete training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join concrete associations for training in ready mixed concrete

One of the best ways to receive education and training in the concrete industry is through ready mix concrete associations. They offer programs to make sure ready mix concrete workers get the training and certification needed to succeed in their field.

I recommend: The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) offers its STEPS training and CCPf certification program in one of four career tracks: concrete technology; business management; operations and production; and sales, marketing and promotion. The RMC Research Foundation offers their concrete industry management program, as well as concrete plant manager certification and other certifications.

Depend on your suppliers to offer training and certification in ready mix concrete techniques

One of the ways to get up to speed with the training required to work at ready mix concrete plants or with concrete in the field is through the concrete manufacturers or ready mixed concrete suppliers. It's in the best interest of manufacturers to make sure that concrete workers have proper training.

I recommend: The Portland Cement Association offers ready mix concrete education and training. American Concrete Institute is a good source for certification in concrete technology and techniques.

Get educated at ready mix concrete trade shows and exhibits

Concrete trade shows are one of the best ways for personnel to attend trainings and seminars toward certification, refresher courses or advancement in the industry. Viewing the exhibits and talking with industry experts can also help to advance the knowledge of ready-mixed concrete workers.

I recommend: The annual World of Concrete Show is one of the largest in the building industry, and offers training courses for attendees in the ready mix concrete industry. The Concrete Network offers training including the Rocky Geans Concrete Construction Business School, which can encourage stronger businesses despite changing ready mix concrete prices, for example.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attending trade shows can tip you off on the latest trends in ready mixed concrete applications. You can take advantage of training and education that you take home to help your ready mix concrete business thrive.

In 1913, ready-mix concrete hit the market. Because it can arrive on a work site in a flexible state and be molded before hardening, concrete has become a standard building tool for projects as diverse as homes and dams.

Today, ready-mix concrete plants have improved the quality and versatility of concrete to the point that the mixture can be adjusted to suit individual projects. Architects, engineers, developers and builders must understand how ready-mix concrete interacts with the environment and affects the design, appearance and durability of structures.

You can use different types of ready-mix concrete to accomplish different goals:

1. Impervious ready-mixed concrete is traditionally used to prevent water from being absorbed.

2. Pervious concrete allows water to seep into the concrete and can be used in pavement to prevent water runoff and reduce pollution.

3. Decorative concrete can be used by designers and builders to add color, texture and diverse styles.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Design buildings made of ready-mix concrete

If you are an architect or engineer, consider designing homes and offices made from ready-mix concrete. They tend to be environmentally sustainable and durable, resisting fires and standing up to high winds and earthquakes. Wood-frame prices tend to be slightly lower than ready-mix concrete prices, but the benefits of concrete balance this out.

I recommend: A ready-mix concrete plant such as Bedrock Industries uses ready-mix concrete trucks to deliver and pour a variety of types of concrete for commercial concrete finishers and contractors. Color your concrete easily using products such as those offered by Davis Colors in ready-mix concrete bags. Throw a bag into the mixer, and it disintegrates and releases color into the concrete.

Use ready-mixed concrete to design floors

Concrete floors do no have to be gray and boring. Today's concrete can be dyed, stained, painted, polished, stamped, or stenciled, which allows you to create a variety of looks to please most any consumer. Builders can also incorporate heating coils into the concrete to warm the room with radiant flooring.

I recommend: A ready-mix concrete business like Complete Decorative Concrete Solutions uses Cuviello Concrete for decorative solutions such as stained concrete in restaurants, showrooms, offices and homes. The Radiant Floor Company offers builders different heating systems, depending on their needs. A closed system heats only the floor; an open system can heat your floor and water supply; solar energy can also be incorporated to reduce radiant heating costs.

Incorporate ready-mixed concrete into many objects

Countertops, furniture, fireplaces and walkways are a few items that can be made of concrete. It can be molded into unusual shapes and colored and patterned to fit different architectural styles.

I recommend: Cheng Concrete offers products, training sessions and instructional manuals to help businesses create concrete countertops, bathrooms and more. Sonoma Cast Stone provides interesting designs and colors for residential or commercial countertops and other projects that incorporate ready-mix concrete. They also offer stainless concrete, which does not develop a patina with time but instead maintains its original appearance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ready-mix concrete associations unite producers, contractors and consumers. They provide up-to-date suggestions about best practices, offer contact lists and work with the government on regulatory issues important to your business.

Ready-mixed concrete is manufactured in a plant according to a specific recipe and delivered to a construction site in a cement mixer. The main advantages of ready-mixed concrete over on-site concrete are the greater precision of the mixture and reduced chances of miscommunication at the work site. The primary disadvantage of ready-mix concrete is the reduction in flexibility in the concrete components. The variety of possible mixtures allows ready-mixed concrete to be used for many different applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Jointing

Jointing is the practice of pouring concrete in sections according to its thickness. The purpose of jointing is to allow for the expansion of concrete after it hardens.

I recommend: The Ready Mixed Concrete Company provides a detailed definition of jointing, including examples of ideal jointing.

Curing

Curing is the process of maintaining concrete at a desired moisture content and temperature until the concrete has stabilized. This allows the concrete to achieve its maximum strength and durability.

I recommend: The Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association provides general guidance on creating quality exterior concrete, including proper curing techniques.

Transit mixed concrete

Transit mixed concrete is mixed in a cement mixing truck as it is driven from the mixing plant to the job site. This allows the cement to remain in a semi-liquid state until it can be poured.

I recommend: Portland Cement Association provides a more detailed description of the different types of concrete, including transit mixed concrete.

Hot weather concreting

Hot weather concreting is the process of pouring concrete when the temperature is higher than the desired temperature range for that particular mixture. Hot weather can greatly increase the chances of cracks in the concrete.

I recommend: L&L Redi Mix describes the problems of hot weather concreting, as well as detailed instructions for pouring concrete in hot weather.

Fiber reinforcement

Fiber reinforcement is the process of distributing fibers throughout the concrete while its is still wet. The fibers lock together to increase the tensile strength of the concrete.

I recommend: S&G Ready Mixed Concrete provides a detailed explanation of fiber reinforcement for concrete and a do-it-yourself guide for concrete.

Portland cement

Portland cement is a finely ground powder that is primarily composed of limestone. It is the active ingredient in concrete, which also contains water, sand and stone among other ingredients.

I recommend: Ready Mixed Concrete provides a detailed description of the differences between portland cement and concrete.