Your News for August 10, 2015
Register for the AIPM Today!

AIPM 12 Can Make Your Best PMs Better


Even your most senior and experienced project managers will learn new practices and procedures at the Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) to help them manage more productive and profitable projects. AIPM's Class 12 will take place January 17-22 at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. Taught by top industry experts, the curriculum covers: 

  • Team building;
  • Keeping customers for life;
  • Legal issues;
  • Staying on top of schedules and productivity impacts;
  • Avoiding litigation;
  • Operational management;
  • Insurance and bonding;
  • Goal setting; and
  • More.

AIPM is designed for graduates of the Institute for Project Management with some project management experience or advanced project managers with considerable experience. This class is offered only once each year and it fills quickly.
Recruit Your Next Hire at the 2015 Student Summit

Recruit Your Next Hire at the 2015 Student Summit


If you're making plans to hire a young professional or two in the next few months, be sure to attend the 2015 MCAA Student Chapter Summit (October 1-3, Cleveland, OH) as part of your recruiting strategy. The conference brings together the brightest and best students from top schools of engineering and Construction Management across the U.S. and Canada. You'll have two days to meet and get to know students who are considering, or who've made a commitment to, a career with our industry. Those who are graduating in 2016 are just beginning to look for a permanent position, and lower classmen are starting to scout for internships. The conference program focuses on the new technologies that contractors are using to plan and perform projects, so there's a lot to learn as well. The time is right, there's no registration fee, the location is easy to reach and this opportunity to recruit exceptional young professionals is exclusive to MCAA members.
Enhance Your Dispatchers' Skillsets

Enhance Your Dispatchers' Skillsets


Service dispatchers serve a crucial role in the company. They may improve company productivity and profitability by getting the most from limited resources, building strong customer relationships and understanding the needs of their service technicians and managers. However, many dispatchers don't reach their full potential because they haven't acquired or fully developed the complex skillset needed to be effective in this role. MSCA's Dispatcher Professional Development Training Program (September 14-15, St. Louis, MO) closes that gap with a comprehensive two-day course created specifically for new and experienced dispatchers. This is the last dispatcher training for 2015.
NFPA Safety Training Webinars Are Open for Registration
Arc Flash Training Webinar Scheduled

The Arc Flash Safety Training Webinar can help your employees minimize the risks of working around electricity. Employees who have yet to take the training should sign up for the next webinar on August 20, 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. This training is specifically designed for mechanical and service employees who are exposed to electricity from HVAC work, electrical maintenance, troubleshooting, voltage testing, fuse testing, verifying a zero energy state, infrared imaging, etc. It is also designed for those employees who manage or supervise electrical workers and safety/engineering professionals who manage the company's Electrical Safe Work Practices program. Presented by the Hilgeman Group, the session covers all applicable OSHA and NFPA requirements (including the revised NFPA 70E requirements), best practices and provides participants with real-world accident information to reinforce the training.
Registration is Now Open for MSCA 2015
Learn How to Be Customers' Obvious Choice

Join Karrikins Group founder Peter Sheahan for his presentation, MATTER: Be the Obvious Choice in the Eyes of the Customer, at the MSCA 2015 Educational Conference (Colorado Springs, CO, October 18-21). With staff in 15 cities across six countries, Sheahan is familiar with the challenges of growing a business in these rapidly changing times. During this interactive workshop, he will discuss how to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded marketplace and escape the commodity perception of customers. He will also share - for the first time - three best practices gleaned from a three-year, $1 million study conducted by his company. Find out more about Sheahan's presentation and other MSCA 2015 program features and then register.
Visit MCAAGreatFutures.org to Learn More
15 Career Development Grants Awarded

During its mid-year meeting, the MCAA Career Development Committee awarded 10 Chapter of Excellence Grants, three Emerging Chapter Grants and two Faculty Internship Grants. The grants are funded by the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). The Chapter of Excellence Grants - a total of $7,500 each - went to MCAA student chapters at Colorado State University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Ferris State University, Iowa State University, Kennesaw State University/Southern Polytechnic State University, Kent State University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Purdue, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Wentworth Institute of Technology. Emerging Chapter Grants, each $3,000, went to MCAA student chapters at Bradley University, Washington State University and Western Illinois University. Faculty Internship Grants, $2,500 each, went to Prof. Bradley Perkins of Iowa State University and Prof. Maureen Weidner of Kennesaw State University/Southern Polytechnic State University. Congratulations to all the grantees!
Industry Continues Lobbying for Phase 2 of Pension Reform

MCAA continues to lobby for Phase 2 of pension reform, even as Congress begins its August recess. Efforts focus on expediting committee hearings, bill drafting and passage by year end of alternate plan design options for multiemployer pension plan trustees. Such plans combine the best features of defined contribution plans for contributing employers-absence of withdrawal liability - while at the same time providing the full benefits of defined benefit plans for employees - lifetime benefits, combined asset management and pooled longevity risk.
Comment Period Extended on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces EO

The Administration has extended the comment period on the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order (EO 13673), which requires direct federal prime contractors and subcontractors to certify their labor and employment legal compliance records for the past three years upon signing a federal prime contract or subcontract of $500,000 or more. MCAA and the Campaign for Quality Construction Coalition have been providing ongoing input on the measure, seeking implementing rules that make the EO workable for prime contractors and subcontractors.
The MCAA National Update is a weekly publication of the 
Mechanical Contractors Association of America.
Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, or call 301-869-5800.
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