While some components of the full Proforeman curtricula can be retrieved on line, some of the most important are designed for in-person classes, such as the two NRCA 'Foremen Only" classes which were taught locally during the winter, offered through the IRCC/CRU (each of which also qualify for State of California certifications through the State Approved 'Journeyman Upgrade" program').
These ProForemanship programs are not normally provided locally, except where there is a special request by an individual company or association. Where there is no such special request, such classes are most comonly taught at locations external to this state either in conjunction with NRCA' annual convention and International Roofing Exhibition (IRE); or in Chicago area near the NRCA home offices in the Chicago area, with some exceptions.
While there is a growing eagerness by employers, particularly among training oriented IRCC contractors to develop quality crew leaders and foremen, the cost and time involved in getting journeymen students to the classes can create conflicts, which could be largely eliminated through the training of 'authorized' locally "qualified" instructors who are in sync with standerdized training techniques and strategies provided through the NRCA's Qualified Trainer Course.
In the case of the "Foremen Only" courses held earlier this year, each required an add-on to the base cost of the course above the registration fee for the class itself of two trainers cross county air fare, and hotel accomodations, in the area of $2,500 to $3,500. While this can be significantly less costly than sending a group of installers to take these roofers out of state, either to a specified training venue, or to the National Convention, hiring local 'authorized' trainers will shave the price significantly.
In other words, the IRCC's Board of Directors apprenticeship committee and CRU administration is working gradually towards encouraging a hand-off of some of the NRCA's most useful offerings -- to a local contingent of 'qualified' operatives who can pick up the slack and offer these great courses more frequently, flexibly and inexpensively as we move forward.
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