Professional Development

Opportunities for Continuing Education in Construction

Both individuals and businesses will benefit from our Career Advancement Training program at Build Smart Institute. We provide continuing education in construction to help learners gain the skills to enter leadership positions. Companies can partner with Build Smart to train their best workers to be their next leaders.


Our professional development training covers several classes, ranging from project supervision and management to basic scheduling and bookkeeping for contractors. Expand the sections below to learn more about each course Build Smart offers, or download the Build Smart Course Catalog.
Download Complete Course Catalog
Students and a Professor in a Classroom | Construction Continuing Education
Courses may be taken virtually or in person icon and Build Smart Institute Logo
This course is designed to provide the seasoned professional the tools needed to train those new to their profession.
  • Various roles a Mentor must assume for their trainee
  • Different ways communication can happen
  • How to improve communication
  • Differing learning styles of individuals
  • Problem-solving techniques
  • How to use this information to properly organize the instructional process
Hours: 8 hours
Courses may be taken virtually or in person icon and Build Smart Institute Logo
This class provides an overview of FCL101, PRS101, and PRM101, designed to train three specific personnel types:
1. Individuals new to the management role
2. Those recently promoted to a higher level of management
3. Individuals working in smaller companies, where they need to handle duties across multiple levels of management.
  • Cursory Coverage of Supervision
  • Project Management
  • Safety
  • Human Resource
  • Problem-Solving
  • Construction Documents
  • Construction Planning and Scheduling
  • Cost Control
  • Resource Control
  • Quality Control
  • Quality Assurance
Hours: 24 hours
NCCER LOGO
Fundamentals of Crew Leadership is designed to assist the recently or about to be promoted crew leader; it is beneficial for anyone in management. Includes performance tasks to assist the learning process.
  • Basic leadership skills
  • Different leadership styles
  • Communication
  • Delegating
  • Problem-solving
  • Jobsite safety
  • Crew leader role
  • Project planning /scheduling
  • Estimating
Hours: 22.5 hours

NCCER LOGO
This accelerated course is tailored for busy professionals, integrating class instruction with self-paced independent study. Specifically crafted to support recently promoted or soon-to-be-promoted crew leaders, it is beneficial for individuals in management roles. The course incorporates performance tasks to enhance the learning experience.
  • Basic leadership skills
  • Different leadership styles
  • Communication
  • Delegating
  • Problem-solving
  • Jobsite safety
  • Crew leader role
  • Project planning /scheduling
  • Estimating
Hours: 8 hours

Course can be taken online or in person icon and NCCER logo
This course is designed to introduce the skills or enhance the skills of a Project Supervisor or Superintendent; it is beneficial for anyone in site management.
  • Orientation to the Supervision Role
  • Human relations
  • Problem-solving
  • Safety
  • Quality Control
  • Contract
  • Construction Documents
  • Document control and estimating
  • Planning and Scheduling
  • Resource Control and Awareness
Hours: 85 hours

Course can be taken online or in person icon and NCCER logo
This expedited course is designed for busy professionals combining class instruction with independent study completed at your leisure. It will introduce the skills or enhance the skills of a Project Supervisor or Superintendent; it is beneficial for anyone in site management. Includes performance tasks to assist the learning process.
  • Orientation to the Supervision Role
  • Human relations
  • Problem-solving
  • Safety
  • Quality Control
  • Contract
  • Construction Documents
  • Document control and estimating
  • Planning and Scheduling
  • Resource Control and Awareness
Hours: 16 hours

Courses may be taken virtually or in person icon and Build Smart Institute Logo
This course is designed for aspiring leaders across all industries providing enhanced management skills.
  • Problem Solving
  • Planning and Scheduling
  • Cost Control
  • Resource Control
  • Quality Control
  • Quality Assurance
  • Safety
  • Human Resource
  • Continued Improvement
Hours: 24 hours
Course can be taken online or in person icon and NCCER logo
This course is designed to introduce the skills or enhance the skills of a Project Manager; it is beneficial for anyone who has recently entered or is about to enter into a project management role. Includes performance tasks to assist the learning process.
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • Safety
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Issues and resolutions
  • Construction Documents
  • Construction Planning
  • Estimating and Control
  • Scheduling
  • Resource Control
  • Quality Control
Hours: 115 hours
Course can be taken online or in person icon and NCCER logo
This accelerated course is tailored for busy professionals, integrating class instruction with self-paced independent study. Its objectives introduce or enhance the skills of a Project Manager and is beneficial for individuals who have recently entered or are about to enter a project management role. The course incorporates performance tasks to enhance the learning experience.
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • Safety
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Issues and resolutions
  • Construction Documents
  • Construction Planning
  • Estimating and Control
  • Scheduling
  • Resource Control
  • Quality Control
Hours: 32 hours
Build Smart Logo
  • Terms, components, & symbols of construction drawings
  • Understanding how specifications are associated with drawings and quantity takeoffs
  • Commercial, Residential, Trade, and Civil, Structural and Life Safety Drawings
Hours: 16 hours
Build Smart Logo
This course is designed to help trainees become familiar with the bid/estimating process, from the initial bid meeting until bid day. Individual problems will be used at each stage to practice the new topic, along with a continuing project to run the entire course with steps to be completed per stage as each new topic is mastered.
  • Project Manual Documents
  • Understanding the Bidding Process
  • Computer Software in Estimating
  • Home Office Overhead vs. Job Overhead
  • Calculate Labor Costs
  • Request for Quote (RFQ) & Scope of Work for Subcontractors
  • Estimate Quantities of Landscaping, Granular Base, & Asphalt
  • Estimate Quantity & Cost of Concrete
  • Estimate Quantity & Cost of Masonry
  • Estimate Quantity & Cost of Structural Steel
  • Estimate Quantity & Cost of Wood
  • Estimate Waterproofing, Damp Roofing, Insulation, & Roofing
  • Estimate Doors, Windows, & Storefront
  • Estimate Wall Board, Plaster, Drywall, Steel Studs, Flooring, & Painting
  • Price & Subcontract Electrical, Plumbing, & HVAC
  • Add Profit to Bids
Hours: 28 hours
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This course is designed to help trainees improve their ability to obtain and maintain employment.
  • Work Ethic
  • Tardiness
  • Absenteeism
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Criticism
  • Harassment
  • Drug & alcohol abuse
  • Planning for employment
  • Resume & other required paper work
  • Job search
  • Completing an application
  • The interview
Hours: 8 hours
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This course is designed to teach the mechanics of communication, including how it occurs, and practical aspects such as making and recording various common methods of communication.
  • Mechanics of communication
  • Paraphrasing
  • Active & passive listening
  • Body language
  • When to communicate
  • Phones and messages
  • Recording conversations
  • Emails & texts
Hours: 4 hours
Build Smart Logo
This course is designed to familiarize trainees with the business aspects of running a construction company, including business development, marketing, contractual, and HR elements. It will also cover legal and licensing requirements.
  • Conduct Sales Calls
  • Contract with Subcontractors
  • Develop & Implement a Business Plan
  • Review & Purchase Required Insurance a Company
  • Develop a Personnel Manual
  • Conduct Performance Reviews of Employees
  • Hire/Fire Trade Employees
  • Develop a Financial Plan
  • Develop an Annual Budget
  • Maintain Accounting Journals
  • Use Job-cost Reports
  • Develop a Marketing Plan
  • Obtain License as Required
  • Resolve Conflicts between Company & Client
  • Apply for Building Permits
  • Explain Warranties to Your Client
  • Provide Lien Waivers
Hours: 32 hours
course is available online or in person. CPR/First Aid Certified and Trained logo
  • Adult CPR
  • The use of the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Basic First Aid
Hours: 4 hours
Prerequisite(s): in-person practical required
Build Smart Logo
This course is to introduce the novice and to reinforce the skills of project scheduling.
  • Formal Job Planning
  • the Work Breakdown Structure
  • Smartsheet Introduction
  • Task Relationships
  • Formal Schedules
  • Alternative Scheduling Platforms
  • Writing a Schedule
 Hours: 4 hours
course is available online or in person. CPR/First Aid Certified and Trained logo
Topics:
  • Introduction to OSHA - OSHA Focus Four
  • Falls - Electrocutions
  • Struck-By - Caught-In or Between
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Health Hazards In Construction
Electives Can Include:
  • Cranes - Derricks - Hoists, Elevators & Conveyors
  • Excavations - Materials Handling - Storage - Use &Disposal
  • Scaffolds - Stairways & Ladders
  • Tools - Hand & Power
  • Other Optional Hazards or Policies Relevant to your Organization
Hours: 10 hours

course is available online or in person and OSHA logo
Topics:
  • Introduction to OSHA - Managing Safety& Health - OSHA Focus Four
  • Falls - Electrocutions
  • Struck-By - Caught-in or Between
  • Personal Protective & Life Saving Equipment
  • Health Hazards In Construction
  • Stairways & Ladders
Electives Can Include:
  • Concrete & Masonry Construction
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Cranes - Derricks - Hoists, Elevators & Conveyors
  • Ergonomics - Excavations
  • Fire Protection & Prevention
  • Materials Handling, Storage, Use & Disposal
  • Motorized Vehicles, Mechanical Equipment - Power Industrial Vehicles
  • Safety & Health Programs
  • Scaffolds
Hours: 30 hours


Build Smart Logo
This course is designed to successfully prepare for the Virginia Contractors Licensing Exam.
  • What hours and experience are required to sit for the exam
  • Applying to take the exam
  • Pre-exam preparation approaches
  • What to study ahead of the exam
  • How to study for the exam
  • What definitions to become familiar with
  • What is allowed and not allowed while taking the exam
  • Helpful hints while taking the exam
  • Exam question sampling
Hours: 8 hours

Build Smart Logo
This course is designed to cover all the essential accounting and financial management principles to run a successful construction company.
  • Financial Management
  • Construction Accounting Systems
  • Making Financial Decisions
  • Managing Costs, Profits and Cash Flow
Hours: 32 hours

National Center for Construction Education and Research
Home Builder’s
Institute
CPR / AED / Basic 
First Aid
Occupational Safety and Health Administration for Construction
Build Smart Institute 
Certificate
Course may be 
taken virtually 
or in person

Testimonial

A Photo of Greg Lionberger | Building Courses

Greg Lionberger, 
Lionberger Construction Company

Project Management and Blueprint Reading Graduate

"I recently rejoined my family construction business and wanted to jump-start my knowledge without tying up other company employees. Build Smart Institute was the perfect answer in terms of content, timing, and cost. I took classes on blueprint reading and project management and look forward to taking other classes in the future. My classes at Build Smart gave me a much greater appreciation for the level of complexity and attention to detail required for even small projects, much less the enormous technical marvels built in places like Las Vegas. The instructors are all former construction professionals who teach using real-world examples based on their own personal experiences. Every staff member made it clear they are there because they genuinely believe the construction industry can provide a wonderful profession, not just a job, particularly for those without college degrees. In that, they understand sometimes emotional support is even more important than classroom teaching. As a society, I do not believe we give the construction industry nearly enough credit for its role in creating a better world. From hospitals and medical clinics to libraries and schools, our industry touches people’s lives all day every day. Build Smart Institute provides a new and exciting path for people to join a profession that has literally endless opportunities."

Customized Courses & Options Available

Construction Industry Training Programs are available in a variety of platforms.
Packages and scheduling are flexible and customizable to the needs of YOUR business.
Virtual
Workshops
Customized
Classroom
Live Stream
Blended Hybridization
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