Keeping an eye on future work opportunities is also a goal of IMI Contractor College, which offers a range of technical and professional courses to increase BAC contractors’ capabilities. A constantly changing curriculum keeps them sharp. { more }

As hybrid masonry/steel design gains popularity, IMI can help, with details, technical expertise, and new software. Click here for more details.

For the inaugural event, IMI invited representatives of some promising new products that reflect the variety of BAC skills and complement sustainability goals, including terra cotta, ceramic and stone façade systems, flowable terrazzo, concrete flooring, insulated concrete forms, autoclaved aerated concrete, and grout products. The event included a special seminar on new software options for masonry design.

While some products are familiar to some BAC contractors, the objective is to make everyone more comfortable embracing new technologies. Having vendors and IMI training experts walk through each product’s installation process and answer questions “exceeded my expectations,” says Michael Kuhn, Vice President of Jendoco Construction Corp. in Pittsburgh.

“Sometimes we get locked in the office, and don’t get a chance to see new items and ideas,” says restoration contractor Tim Zito from Structural Maintenance Systems, Inc. “We really got some thought-provoking ideas.”

“It was very specific and informative,” says Las Vegas architect John Lopeman from ethos three architecture, who believes that the innovative approach will make specifiers more confident using new products.

Proper installation is critical to the success of any new product. Attendees experienced how it comes from IMI training, exemplified by The Flynn Center. “It is first class all the way, from facilities to programs,” says Connecticut project manager Nick Civitillo, Jr. from CH Nickerson & Co. “The knowledge and technical capacity offered by IMI is truly an asset to our industry,” says Pittsburgh contractor Kuhn. “I am impressed by the forward thinking.”

Contractor College courses are constantly tweaked to be responsive to industry trends. This year, that included the push for improved efficiency in construction and “green” solutions. To address those, IMI added courses in Building Information Modeling [BIM], Sustainable Design and Energy Efficient Masonry. A new course on Masonry Engineering for Contractors offers a fundamental understanding of structural engineering and design concepts.

A hallmark of the education program is its flexibility to address companies of different sizes and interests. On one end of the spectrum are courses on new contractor startups and computer applications, while more experienced firms can learn more about life cycle costing and BIM. The “Lessons Learned” course helps all firms recognize and avoid field-level pitfalls.

Recent sessions of Contractor College this fall at The Flynn Center and in Michigan had the added benefit of letting contractors interact with architects and engineers attending new Masonry Design Options software seminars and other professional education classes, as well as the New Products Expo.

In Michigan, says Ed Davenport from Davenport Masonry, Inc., it was “an absolutely fantastic day for masonry.”

For upcoming sessions click here.

Some craftworkers and architects tried out Flex & Stretch at Masonry Camp this summer.

There are a lot of workers on the $998 million, 2.2-million-s.f. future home of the New York Giants and Jets.They start their workday with a warm up routine designed to avoid the common strains and sprains that account for more than 43% of non-fatal occupational injuries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Simple exercises like trunk rotation and hamstring stretches are having a positive effect on productivity, too, says Michael Schmerbeck of Speranza Brickwork, whose BAC bricklayers are involved. “The program fosters team building on the jobsite for all trades and contractors,” and lets project superintendents address daily issues such as scheduling and trade coordination, he says.

Fourth generation bricklayer Pimental “grew up knowing” his trade, but teaching to new members was another story. Inspired by his own apprentice instructor Norman Boyd, Pimental had thought about teaching for quite a while. Fortunately, he only had to get through two weeks as an instructor, before he started coming to the Instructor Certification Program.

Rizzi, a third generation BAC member, had only one week of teaching before starting at ICP, where he found the structured classes and assignments intimidating. “I hated the first year,” he says. “Now, I love coming down here.” One of the most valuable lessons for the brick and stone instructor was learning how to relate to different types of students, “and make sure everybody gets it.”

For tile instructor Yeo, trying out all the other BAC crafts was fun, “and I was able to really feel what a new student feels,” he says. The best parts of ICP, he says, “are making new friends and learning different ways” of teaching.

All three say they will miss the annual experience. “ICP really gives you a boost," says Pimental. "You never know what you might need down the road. ICP taught me that I could apply the theories and techniques of teaching to any subject.”

IMI takes an active role in school facilities planning, on both the local and national level. Technical expertise in areas like reinforced masonry and flashing, plus skilled craftsmanship, always find an appreciative audience.

At the Ohio School Facilities Commission’s Architect/Engineer/Construction Manager Summit this September, IMI taught a special session on quality school construction. The invitation arose from a special IMI Masonry Education Day held earlier in the year to help school designers and managers with their projects. IMI is also a partner in the Great Schools by Design national initiative of the American Architectural Foundation. The group is working with 50 urban school districts, bringing together school planners, city officials, architects and community members to identify the best building practices, and “IMI brings a unique perspective,” says AAF President & CEO Ron Bogle, Hon. AIA.