It’s a big world out there and the competition is fierce. The economy is fluctuating and the workforce is changing. How will you keep up?
According to a Gartner Research study, continuing education is a foolproof way to stay competitive by increasing productivity
and efficiency in your company. The logic is sound: the more employees learn, the more skilled they become and the more work they can do in less time. The study says for every hour spent on employee training, five hours are saved annually on productivity.
The largest group of new hires industry is facing is millennials. These straightforward, relationship-driven, technology focused professionals care more about development than bells and whistles, and giving out fancy bonuses may be fuelling this otherwise brilliant generation’s sense of entitlement, says a Gallup Research report. If you want to treat them, and treat them well enough to retain them, invest in them with education and professional development.
“Giving out toys and entitlements is a leadership mistake, and worse, it’s condescending,” says the report. “Purpose and development drive this generation.”
The benefits are obvious across companies and the value transects industries. Training and education save money because they reduce downtime, errors, and turnover, and help develop a company culture of passion and purpose because investment in employees shows care and commitment from management.
SMACNA offers a robust set of national training programs aimed at all facets of business development from project management to financials and beyond. Check out the following list of opportunities SMACNA National has to offer and contact the national office through its website at www.smacna.org to register or find out more.
2018 Project Managers Institute: April 22 – 25, Raleigh, NC
The Project Managers Institute covers the essential skills of effective project management for project managers. Sessions include management/leadership, project planning, ethics and integrity in project management financials, time management, change order management, and standards and best practices. Program objectives include building and leading powerful, integrated project teams; understanding and mastering financial control of projects; planning projects to maximize profits and customer satisfaction; and developing and maintaining profitable customer relationships.
Supervisor Training Acedemy: March 19 – 21, St. Louis, MO
The multi-day program will cover topics relevant to supervisors, foremen and superintendents and other critical managers. The program will cover leadership, communication, productivity, profitability, measurement and industry trends.
2018 Financial Bootcamp: May 6 – 9, Tempe, AZ
This program covers in-depth financial management issues, how to interpret financial statements, how to calculate financial ratios, working with credit, developing cash flow projections, understanding equipment acquisition and leasing, and using financial information for strategic and business planning.
SMACNA Leadership Development Program: May 21 – 24, Chapel Hill, NC
The SMACNA LDP experience provides career-minded executives and managers the opportunity to enhance career plans and prepare for senior leadership. We prepare you by taking a strategic approach to providing you with the right skills, knowledge, and social awareness to launch your candidacy for promotion or business ownership.
SMACNA Annual Convention: Oct. 14 – 17, San Diego, CA
SMACNA’s Annual Conference offers a range of business development sessions, covering a range of topics relevant to owners, supervisors, and employees. Keep and eye on the national website for updates to this year’s education programming.
2019 Business Management University: March 3 – 7, Tempe, AZ
BMU provides an in-depth study of the practical business practices in running a successful sheet metal company. Program sessions include financial management, strategic planning, contractor survival skills, negotiation, surety and bonding, leadership, and productivity. The program features engaging workshops, hands-on participatory sessions, and case studies along with idea sharing and networking opportunities.
SMACNA National also archives its webinars, meaning you can log in to a host of eduction sessions on topics like Business Management, Labor Relations, Safety and Health Information, and Technical Information. Business Management offers webinars on 18 topics like navigating turbulent markets and BIM; the Labor Relations section offers eight online sessions covering collective bargaining in tough economic times, SMWIA’s code of excellence, and other subjects. Health and Safety and Technical Info offer 13 and eight webinars, respectively, covering everything from health hazards and PPE to HVAC duct leakage and construction standards.
Face to face or online, local or at a travel destination, continuing education isn’t just worth the investment; it is essential in moving a business forward.
