Meghan Roth, FRSA Director of Foundation Activities
Each year, the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation seeks to create and present industry specific courses that not only educate but engage contractors in changes that affect their livelihood. Often these courses are code-based and involve changes made to the previous code cycle. The Educational Foundation offers additional courses that meet the “mandatory six” requirements for Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) license renewal, one hour of each of the following:
1. Workplace Safety
2. Workers’ Compensation
3. Business Practices
4. Laws and Rules
5. Wind Mitigation Methods
6. Florida Building Code Advanced Modules
With the upcoming release of the 7th Edition Florida Building Code, the Educational Foundation, along with Director of Technical Services Mike Silvers, CPRC are developing courses to inform contractors, building officials and architects about the changes to the code. These courses will be offered at the FRSA Training Center in Winter Park, at the 2020 Convention in July and at various locations around the state over the next year.
Staying on top of industry trends and newly introduced technologies also keeps you informed and makes you a valued consultant to homeowners. Knowing about all the changes and understanding the ins and outs of products and their features allows you to provide customers with more options for their home. Your up-to-date knowledge will earn their trust, not to mention positive word of mouth referrals.
The CILB regulates the courses and continuing education credit units (CEU) a contractor is required to complete every two years. The intent is to help ensure that contractors stay up to date with what’s new in our industry. The law mandates the required hours per two-year cycle to maintain each certification. For related contractor, inspector and home inspector licensing continuing education content requirements, please review the following:
14-hours of board-approved continuing education credit are required each bi-annual period prior to the renewal cycle for both certified and registered contractors. Eight hours can be used for general credit, but must be completed with state-approved classes. 2020 is a renewal year and FRSA will be offering over 25 hours of continuing education credit during the 98th Annual Convention in July.
License holders must complete 14-hours of continuing education credit during each bi-annual period prior to the renewal date. Of the 14 required hours, a minimum of two hours must be in accessibility, two hours in Florida law and rules and a minimum of one hour in ethics.
14-hours of board-approved continuing education credit is required each bi-annual period prior to the renewal period. At least two hours must be in wind mitigation for home inspectors. For more specific licensing information, visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR.
Of course, you and your employees would rather be out on the jobsite. Staying up-to-date with your CE requirements and educating your employees is critical to accomplish that. FRSA offers both in-person and online courses. The online option provides the opportunity to take the courses that you want and need on your schedule. Through a partnership with AAA Construction School, the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation offers industry members a variety of online continuing education courses at a discounted price.
All courses are state approved by the CILB. You can take these courses at your convenience. Get interrupted? Pause and save, then resume later where you left off. All courses are accessible from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Hours are submitted under AAA Construction School’s course provider number and tracked in FRSA’s database.
For more information on continuing education seminars and online courses, please visit the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation website at www.floridaroof.com/Educational-Foundation. As a reminder, FRSA will track your continuing education credit hours for you when classes are taken through the Educational Foundation.
The roofing industry tends to suffer high employee turnover, so the hiring process can be neverending, especially right before high volume seasons. Recent studies show that having an intake process in place for new hires is highly beneficial to your roofing company’s efficiency, communication and employee retention. These processes help your new roofer or office administrator understand what is expected of them, provide an idea of what it is like to work at your company and facilitate communication between him or her and the rest of your team.
With that in mind, FRSA is again partnering with the Associated Builders and Contractors Institute (ABCI), Career Source, Valencia College and several FRSA contractor members this year to conduct an apprenticeship program that produces journeyman roofing applicators. The apprenticeship is a three-year program that kicks off with a two-week introduction at Valencia College.
FRSA is also developing an entry level course internally for member use. We are confident these efforts will help produce the next generation of qualified roofing industry entrepreneurs and employees.
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