Training for Contractors

Advance your career with training for contractors

With a combination of the right basic and advanced training, general contractors can enjoy a variety of job opportunities. Initially, entry-level training can get you in the door to fill administrative or building trades positions. Additional construction contractor training in fair labor practices, reporting requirements and wage disputes can enhance your general service contractor career and allow you to move into new positions.

Consider a degree in business to get you started and add independent contractors professional development courses in green building, project management and workforce development strategies. Take advantage of a career course to earn your American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) certification. Look for training for contractors to suit your level of professional development.

1. Search for basic general contracting training courses.

2. Find advanced training for general contractors.

3. Attend professional development opportunities offered by professional associations for general contractors.

 

Look for online entry-level general contracting training

Keep an eye out for the trends that are leading the industry as you begin in your general contracting career. Once you've got your foot in the door with a bachelor's degree in construction management or industry-specific training in estimating, construction safety or building code compliance, you can look for additional training and licensing.
Try: Check into the bachelor's degree program in contractor management from ITT Tech to get a good start in an entry-level position. If you don't have a degree and want to get your foot in the door through the human resources end of the business, consider obtaining training from HUD, the government’s office of federal labor standards for contractors.

Take advanced construction contractor courses

An MBA and other advanced business degrees are useful educational tools for general contractors running a business. Collect other certifications that are offered to experienced professionals in the field as you continue to expand your areas of expertise.
Try: San Diego State University offers online advanced certificate training in construction supervision, practices and estimating as well as a green building certification for experienced contractors. Look for continuing education that you’ll need to get your license through a state facility such as ProSchools in Oregon.

Join associations that offer general service contractor training to members

Most building contractor trade associations offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members in addition to general contractor listings. You can join the group to build relationships and take the contractor courses it offers. You could also get involved with the association as an affiliate member, such as a subcontractor or equipment vendor.
Try: Advance your career with training from the Associated General Contractors of America, or join the association's e-forum to liase on training and development topics. The American Subcontractors Association provides members with a number of professional development opportunities, including web-based training, workshops and access to manuals, forms and CD-ROMs.

 

• Make sure that any construction contractors' courses you take include training with the latest software applications, such as new estimating tools, that are being developed.

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