NARI Education Department lowers prices

Thank you to those who completed the NARI Members Needs Assessment, which measured the value and participation level of key member programs. As an organization that exists to serve its members, it is important to ask members for their opinions about the products and services the association provides and for input on the value we could be providing to our members moving forward.

The assessment data showed that 48 percent of respondents have participated in NARI’s certification program to some degree, and 88 percent find the certification valuable to some degree. In addition, the survey showed that 23 percent of respondents have participated in the online education programs, and 86 percent find it valuable to some degree. The high regard for the value of certification and online education motivates NARI leadership to work toward affording every member the opportunity to further his/her education and earn certifications to help them run a successful business.

With your honest responses, it was determined that NARI’s education program needs to be priced to better serve one of NARI’s core missions, which is to provide training to professionalize the remodeling industry.

This data, combined with the latest data measuring the importance of education to the construction industry, only strengthened the value of NARI’s education program. The McGraw Hill Construction 2012 report, “Construction Industry Workforce Shortages: Role of Certification, Training and Green Jobs in Filling the Gaps,” provided eye-opening research about shortages of our industry and the importance of proper education and training to ensure future success of the construction industry.

Why education matters

Seventy-seven percent of the respondents describe themselves as accredited, licensed or certified. Of the total respondents:

• 75% believe certification creates more job opportunities
• 62% believe certification creates higher employee compensation
• 69% believe certification creates more job security/opportunity for advancement
• 77% believe certification creates valuable applied knowledge

The data also showed that on-the-job training was still considered the most important source of training for both general contractors and specialty trades. However, nearly two-thirds of respondents from the trades think that courses offered by associations are among the best ways to stay current.

Seventy-one percent of respondents reported that certified employees help companies win over contracts and stay competitive, and 68 percent reported certified employees increase green business.

Finally, more than 80% of all respondents reported challenges in keeping knowledge current, and identified the two most significant challenges as lack of time and cost of training.

The numbers from this data and NARI’s assessment are clear: time and expense hinders remodelers from becoming certified and renewing certifications.

To increase accessibility of certifications, NARI leadership has decided to reduce financial barriers that are keeping members from participating in certification and education programs.

Across the board, NARI is lowering education/certification program pricing to the following member pricing:

Master Certified Remodeler (MCR):
Member certification: $250

Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS) and Certified Remodeler Associate (CRA):
Member online prep course: $195
Member certification: $450

Non-member online prep course: $295
Non-member certification: $650

Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR):
Member online prep course: $195
Member certification: $400

Non-member online prep course: $295
Non-member certification: $600

Certified Remodeling Project Manager (CRPM):
Member online prep course: $250
Member certification: $400

Non-member online prep course: $350
Non-member certification: $600

Green Certified Professional (GCP):
Member online prep course: $350
Member Certification: $400

Non-member online prep course: $550
Non-member certification: $600

Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP):
Member online prep course: $200
Member Certification: $250

Non-member online prep course: $300
Non-member certification: $350

Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC):
Member Certification: $350

Non-member Certification: $550

All podcasts and Webinars found at www.nari.org/learning will remain accessible 24/7 and free of charge.

This is a strategic effort to encourage those within the remodeling community nationwide to further themselves professionally and take advantage of the networking and marketing benefits surrounding NARI’s education programs.  Please e-mail me at dtaddei@nari.org with your comments or questions.—Dan Taddei

Visit the certification page on NARI”s Website to find class dates for the upcoming year.

| 9/3/2012 12:00:00 AM | 1 comments