Featured article by Calvin Paige, Independent Technology Author
IT has become an essential component of the business world in industries far beyond those traditionally associated with computer systems. One of the biggest growth areas where IT is having an impact is online training. It is now possible to train for and pass exams not only in academic subjects but many vocational areas as well.
A good example is the building trade. Builders have an almost exclusively practical role, carrying out the construction elements for new building projects and renovations, and it may not be immediately obvious how online training could be effective for such a hands-on trade.
Construction trade information on the Web
The first consideration is that information, regulations, forms and laws covering the building trade can widely be found on the Internet, where they can be accessed by anyone with an interest, vocation or requirement. Books and documents still have a role to play in the dissemination of knowledge, but online sources can now provide the main form of access to essential information for the trade.
Vocational training online
The second consideration is that IT facilitates the mandatory training that is required in most states before builders can legally undertake building works. There are numerous state and federal licensing laws applicable to the building trade, and failure to obtain or renew these licenses can result in some hefty fines.
The Residential Builder’s License online training
In Michigan, builders must have a Residential Builder’s License to allow them to construct new homes. The license allows builders to complete works involving roofing, demolition, excavation, concreting, insulation, installing windows and doors, guttering, masonry, carpentry, tiling, flooring, painting and decorating and the installation of swimming pools. Plumbing, electricals and mechanicals require separate licenses.
To get your contractor license Michigan, you must complete 60 hours of pre-license education, which is where the online training comes in. Courses are completed entirely online and have two parts. The first is business and law, which includes regulatory and statutory requirements, business organization, bidding and estimating, contracts, project management and supervision, accounting and finance, personnel, insurance, bonds and lieu, and payroll taxes. The second exam covers layouts, plans, specifications, excavations, footings, finishes, safety and employee protection in addition to the building trade skills themselves.
Residential Builders License exams
Having completed the online training, builders then need to pass the state exams before receiving their Residential Builders License. Once a builder is licensed, the state requires that the license is renewed, subject to the licensee completing continuing competency training to ensure their knowledge and skills are up to date. The number of hours required depends on the date when the license was first issued.
Without IT to enable online learning, many prospective builders would find it hard to complete the training and work in their chosen trade. Being able to continue to work while training for their exams is a vital financial consideration for many students, and through the use of online learning, many more people are able to enter the building trade.
