The Northeast Florida Builders Association focuses on four key areas in our work to support and promote our 1,250 members. Government advocacy, networking events, community service projects and this month’s focus — education. NEFBA’s most extensive and high-profile education initiative is the Apprenticeship Program. The program uses a nationally recognized classroom curriculum combined with on-the-job training in a four-year program to train carpenters, electricians, plumbers and air conditioning technicians.
Graduates earn a certificate of completion from the Florida Department of Education, certifying the graduates are journeyman in their field. Because the curriculum provided by the National Center for Construction Education & Research is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, the NCCER certification is recognized throughout the United States. Currently, there are nearly 350 students enrolled in NEFBA’s apprenticeship program.
In addition to the four-year apprenticeship program, NEFBA also provides many education programs for our members. Throughout the year, a wide range of topics is presented at bimonthly “Lunch & Learn” events. Topics are as diverse as how to design HVAC systems for residential and commercial buildings (Lennox, Kevin Suarez) to buying and financing custom homes (Regions Bank, Ian MacDonald). NEFBA also provides two different OSHA training seminars to help protect workers in the field and to help contractors understand their responsibilities for safety compliance.
Like all other industries, the construction industry constantly is evolving. NEFBA is committed to helping our members keep up with the rapid pace of change in the industry and to remain at the front of their profession through ongoing educational opportunities.
If you have an area of interest you would like to see presented, contact me at (904) 838-0531, or [email protected]. I welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you so we can consider the value of your suggestion to other members and plan a class on the topic.