ECO-Block successfully launches year-long training program across U.S. and Canada

10 January 2003

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Horace Greeley in 1856, Thomas Edison in 1908, Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937: all built concrete homes. So, the idea isn’t new. The product is proven. Yet why aren’t we all living in concrete homes?

Florida-based ECO-Block, LLC, the second-largest U.S. supplier of insulating concrete forms (ICFs), thinks it knows the reason-and it’s setting out to address it.
“Educating the building community remains the largest obstacle to adoption,” said Mike Brannon, ECO-Block national training manager. “Once an architect or contractor builds a concrete home, they become sold on its benefits. Our job is to provide the education needed for building professionals to become comfortable and secure in their abilities to work in this medium.”

Starting with workshops in Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario on January 7 and 9, ECO-Block began a Professional Installers Course-8 (PIC 8) training program designed to run in Canada and across the United States throughout the year. The eight-hour seminar is designed for architects, contractors, and homeowners. It is about 50% theory and 50% practical application. Hands-on demonstrations including footing preparation, electrical and plumbing installation, multi-story and code applications, interior and exterior wall finishes, and waterproofing.

“Consumers are saying they want the unique advantages that concrete delivers,” said Brannon. “We’re working to show builders how they can tap into this market and satisfy this demand. We have everyone from code officials to engineers attend. Whether it’s first-timers or veteran ICF installers, participants are walking out of the workshop with big smiles on their faces, totally engaged and enthused about how they just spent their day. Everybody learns something. The seminars are proving extremely successful.”
Locations of ECO-Block’s 30-city tour, both in the United States and Canada, include such regional hubs as Cincinnati, Ottawa, San Francisco, Reno, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Phoenix.

For a full listing of courses, go to eco-block.com/training The course costs $125, which includes all materials and lunch. Because of limited spaces, people are encouraged to sign up now. ECO-Block, LLC also provides professional courses developed specifically for architects. The company is registered with the American Institute of Architects to offer a program on installer training and two ECO-Block overview courses.

For further information or to register for a class, call Sue Skaarer at 1-800-503-0901 FREE, ext 211 or email training@eco-block.com.