MV-Tech Online
Training Courses Impress, Educate
A partnership between the Masonry Institute of Michigan, the International
Code Council and the Mason Contractors Association of America, MV-Tech
is an online, interactive continuing education solution. Accessible
anywhere, any time from any computer with an Internet connection,
MV-Tech Online currently offers five courses: Flashing, Grouting,
Cold Weather Construction, Wall Bracing and Cleaning. As the program
grows, new courses will be added at www.mvtechonline.com.
Mike Bertolin, Leidal & Hart, and Sal Biundo, Giannola Masonry,
share their excitement regarding MV-Tech Online.
Learn more about MV-Tech |
FAST-TRACK
CERTIFICATION
By Mike Bertolin,
Leidal &
Hart
Recently I became LeidaI & Hart's program administrator for
MV-Tech. I am in charge of signing our guys up for classes. I will
know when they've taken the courses, which ones they've taken and
how long each one took them to complete.
On The Fast Track
— Right off the bat I was impressed with
MV-Tech. The program is excellent. I call it fast-track certification.
On a recent job, the Macomb Rec Center, the foreman needed to be
grout-certified, and it needed to happen right away. Our foreman
knows what he's doing, but his grout certification had lapsed back
in the summer. He went online, took the class that night and we
were ready to go the next day. It was like a Christmas present.
So Many Benefits
— MV-Tech is so easy to access that even
people who aren't the most computer-savvy can use it.
MV-Tech also saves the company time and money. It's virtually impossible
for a company like ours to pull key personnel from the job, put
them in a class, pay for the class and pay them for their time,
We'd end up having to shut down all of our jobs and that's just
too costly. With MV- Tech they can get certified on their own time.
I'm also finding that GCs and CMs are looking for certification,
It ensures the level of quality and workmanship will be high, and
that when the architect or GC has questions, our foreman will have
the answers. I also believe that CMs and architects are going to
start putting MV-Tech certification requirements in their specifications.
Required —
Over the next six months, all of our foremen and
project managers will take all five courses. As a special inspector
for structural masonry, I will take the courses as well. We will
put the certificates in employees' job files. If anything is questioned
on the job site, we can fax the certification to prove we know what
we're doing.
Continuing education in general is important for the industry.
Because our system has multiple components, we need to make sure
our people know how to put it together properly. If we can ensure
every job is done right, owners will be happy with the product and
they'll use masonry again, and they'll tell others to use masonry.
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 CANDY
FOR
THE BRAIN
By Sal Biundo,
Giannola Masonry
Technology is changing the masonry industry. It's important to
take advantage of any education offered to keep updated.
MV-Tech Online is a great program. With its interactive video,
it's almost hands on. It's the perfect tool to introduce someone
to the industry. It's like candy for the brain. I especially recommend
it for project managers, general contractors, architects and engineers.
We are having foremen, sub foremen and main crew members take
the courses, probably 30 people in the company total. On average,
we plan on three to four guys on a crew with certifications.
One great thing about MV-Tech is that it can be done anywhere with
Internet connectivity. If you have to stop in the middle, you can
pick it up right where you left it.
I think MV-Tech is a step forward for the industry. Everything
is becoming increasingly computerized and paperless. People don't
have time for lengthy meetings and seminars. This will simplify
the construction world for the future.
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