Construction Knowledge: 7 Useful Resources to Stay Informed

As a budding young contractor, you know better than most that the construction industry is an ever-evolving field, and trade-specific knowledge is a revolving door of new and improved building processes. 

What resources can you use to fine-tune your skills and know-how, ensuring you stay ahead of the game? What tools, training, or programs could help you adapt to new trends and industry regulations? This article explores the essential resources available to construction contractors, helping you further develop your construction project knowledge and thrive in this dynamic field. 

How Do You Get Construction Knowledge? Resources to Fine-Tune Building Skills and Know-How

1- The Corporation des Entrepreneurs Spécialisés du Grand Montréal (CESGM)

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This might pique your interest: The CESGM offers one-day training seminars that cover a series of construction industry-specific topics. The organization also gives a Construction Code initiation seminar, allowing concerned individuals to prepare for the execution of construction work and project and site management exams. The training seminar allows attendees to master the document and is beyond indispensable for contractors hoping to hold subclass licences 1.2 (Small building contractor) and 1.3 (All buildings contractor).

Also offered are seminars about the mandatory ability to read and understand plans and measures to adopt when estimating construction costs (teams, designs, construction phases, etc.). 

Naturally, browsing the website will help you gauge what events are given and when. Note that some may be reserved for organization members only. For those interested, note that organization members also have access to networking events.

2- The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ)

The Commission de la construction du Québec also offers training events that are likely to be of interest. Their events are tied to various construction trade training, typically lasting 30 hours. Such training—both wide-ranging and topic-specific—allows you to add another string to your bow, and meet new people along the way.

3- Fiers et compétents: An industry learning program tailored to your needs

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As detailed on their homepage, the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ) has training advisers who run skills refining workshops for employed industry workers, covering a wide range of topics, such as the use of new materials, the integration of new technologies, and the evolution of work methods.

All these trainings are inherent to the Fiers et compétents training program—a program financed by the Fonds de formation des salariés de l’industrie de la construction.

This fund, established over 20 years ago, benefits from employer contributions to provide free training for different company employees who have retained their services, refining their technical and practical knowledge. Moreover, this program covers all training costs (transportation and lodging), while providing turnkey services. Note that materials needed during training are also provided. 

Also important to highlight is that employees participating in the training are offered financial incentives and said training events are scheduled around their work hours and company-specific constraints. 

With over 400 training programs to choose from, options are definitely not lacking, ensuring quality, ongoing training for your teams and employees, further contributing to your company’s current and future success.

4- The Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec (CEGQ)

Did you know that the Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec launched a training mutual, the Académie des entrepreneurs généraux? This mutual offers training modules of varying lengths (3 hours, half day, full day, or 30 hours), covering various facets of working as a contractor, such as drafting contracts, managing projects, negotiating tactics, and reading plans. The training programs boast expert knowledge from trade professionals while also providing certificates of attendance.

Moreover, note that the CGEQ also offers in-company training at your convenience. Also, the Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux (in association with ÉTS and the Commission de la construction du Québec) offer training tailored to those wishing to become site superintendents or improve their job performance.

5- Consultants en gestion de construction (CGC): Management-based courses

For construction contractors looking to improve their business management skills, optimize their business plan development, or find strategies to improve job performance, dealing with a construction management consultant can turn out to be very fruitful.

Albeit you can consult with them independently, note that the majority of these consultants also organize conferences that can be useful to contractors looking for tailored tips and advice to ensure their company’s growth.

6- The Garantie Construction Résidentielle (GCR)

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To improve the quality of new constructions in Quebec, the Garantie Construction Résidentielle offers workshops to bring awareness to contractors regarding non-conformity witnessed on construction sites. As the brainchild of the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec, the Association de la construction du Québec, and contractor associations, said training allows contractors in attendance to boost their Cote Qualité GCR (GCR quality rating). 

Furthermore, said organization allows participating contractors to learn more about related topics, such as contract drafting and measures to limit claims. Moreover, the training programs provide updates regarding newly implemented requirements and standards for new construction projects. 

The 5th edition of the Tournée GCR will offer training recognized by the RBQ, CMMTQ, and CMEQ from September 9 to September 23, 2024, in Québec City, Boucherville, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.

7- The Conseil de l'enveloppe du bâtiment (CEBQ)

For a more comprehensive overview, note that the CEBQ is a non-profit association that strives to promote the sharing of knowledge on building envelope technologies and practices, such as facade restorations, masonry veneer constructions, and roof renovations. This association brings together contractors, architects, and engineers (information modelling), whose wide-ranging skills widen each other’s expertise.

Are you a woman working in construction? Want to learn more about the resources available to you? Check out our article 6 Useful Resources for Women in Construction. 

FAQ

What are the 5 basic principles of construction?

The five principles of construction are:

• Environmental protection

• Safety

• Speed

• Economy

• Aesthetics