AWCI
Celebrates Five Years of EIFS Education
Excellence
The Association of the
Wall and Ceiling Industries-International
announces the 5th anniversary of its
exterior insulation finish systems
education and certificate program. More
than 1,200 individuals have received
certificates, after having passed a
rigorous test, during the first five
years, and additional programs have been
developed as the industry embraces its
advances. At the five-year mark, there
are live seminars leading to
certification in three categories, video
format instruction on generic EIFS
applications and a corporate recognition
registry just for EIFS contractors.
Originally developed to
meet the need for generic education and
certification for EIFS mechanics, the
program has expanded well beyond that to
meet the increasing demand from the
industry to certify independent
inspectors, as well as industry
professionals such as general
contractors, distributors, architects and
engineers. Education is provided through
attendance at a two-day instructor-led
seminar or through a video and workbook
format entitled “EIFS-Doing It
Right,” with proctored, objective
examinations administered to assess
knowledge of program content. Reaching
beyond the intended audience of EIFS
contractors, a variety of organizations
within and auxiliary to the EIFS industry
have used AWCI’s programs in one
manner or another.
Michael Heering of F L
Crane & Sons, a large EIFS contractor
with companies in four states, says the
program is one of the company’s
best tools on several counts: “We
can see the difference in the work
between those who have been through the
program and not. There have been multiple
occasions when the applicators have
corrected themselves or other
applicators. This tool affects our
company’s quality and bottom
line.” He goes on to say, “On
a broader level, it’s a tool the
industry in general can use as a policing
device. There are lots of qualified
mechanics and some who are doing work
that gives EIFS a bad rap. This is a way
of identifying those who are trained and
tested; we need a smarter work force to
keep EIFS viable.”
Nancy Roylance, who
directs the program for AWCI, supports
his assertion: “We’re hearing
more and more that applicators
can’t get on the job without
‘the card,’ our wallet
certificates. EIFS contractors are
getting their applicators educated
through the video program, and are going
themselves to the seminars. The program
has really taken off—what started
as voluntary is becoming essential in
just five short years.”
The level of industry
“buy-in” is also evidenced by
the 200 percent increase in the past year
of “by request” seminars and
group testing requests from unions,
distributors, contractors and
professional associations. Many entities
are coming forward to request EIFS
education and certification at their
location for large groups of customers,
members or employees.
Also celebrating an
anniversary is the EIFSmart Contractor
recognition program launched one year
ago. This distinction is awarded to
companies that meet requirements
regarding percentage of certified
employees. More than 50 companies have
achieved the distinction thus far, with
still more pursuing the employee
certifications needed to meet the
requirements.
Roylance is not
surprised by the immediate interest in
this recognition program:
“Contractors want that competitive
edge and, lately, the negotiating power
with insurance companies. Architects have
already started specifying EIFSmart
contractors, and we expect that to build
as awareness of this recognition spreads
within and beyond the EIFS industry.
EIFSmart is an objective indicator of a
company’s commitment to quality
EIFS installation, education and
certification, and the wider construction
industry and consumers value that
knowledge.”
2004 EIFS
Seminars
Dates Locations Registration
Deadline
Jan 26-27 Atlanta Jan
2
Feb 23-24 Los Angeles Jan 30
March 22-23 Houston Feb 27
