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A partnership created between Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association, NIACC Continuing Education, NIACC Building Trades Department, along with support from local contractors has created a first-ever opportunity for the NIACC Building Trades students.  Financial assistance from this new partnership provided total funds of $1,500 for students to participate in a concrete training seminar and certification.  At the conclusion of the training seminar, students had the opportunity to test and receive an ACI Concrete Flatwork Certification, one of several certifications which have national recognition.

“Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete would like to see all future building trade students have this certification (Concrete Flatwork),” said Gregg Helmich, NIACC Building Trades instructor.  The certification identifies students as being trained in the science and nature of concrete.  Certified students learn how to create a durable and quality concrete product for customers.  That is a win-win for both students and their future customers.

Creating the financial partnership to make this opportunity happen for the students was a matter of connecting the right people.  “When Jerry Woods, Director of Training/Outreach with the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association, called me to see what we could do to help buy-down the costs for students, I was glad to help,” said John Sjolinder, Industrial Training coordinator with NIACC’s Continuing Education department.  Working with the Iowa Concrete Association, Sjolinder coordinates a concrete refresher workshop every February for area contractors.  A portion of the fees generated from this workshop, combined with a $1,000 donation from the Iowa Ready Mix Association, provided the funding for the recent training and certification for NIACC students.  The next concrete contractor refresher workshop, which will include a live demonstration of plastic and hardened concrete, will be held on February 18, 2010, at the NIACC campus in Mason City. 

“We are pleased with the success of this partnership and look forward to creating future opportunities for our students,” said Helmich. 

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