Career Stage: Supervisor/Foreman
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
MSCA’s Field Supervisors is focused training designed specifically for improving the performance of service field supervisors. Using proven methods, this program will advance skills in leadership, coaching, planning, time management, communication, and motivational techniques, all of which will give the field supervisor an edge and the confidence to deal with the workplace challenges of today.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
Wednesday, October 1
Arrivals at Leisure
Thursday, October 2
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Instruction Begins
12:00 p.m. Lunch Provided
5:00 p.m. Class Ends
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Friday, October 3
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Instruction Begins
12:00 p.m. Lunch Provided
2:00 p.m. Class Ends
Departures at Leisure
WHAT IS IT?
- A new online program for new or aspiring field leaders.
- An 8-week course made up of live lectures, short assignments, quizzes, and video segments.
- An overview of concepts and practices essential to running a successful mechanical jobsite.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Field leaders who have relatively little (0-2 years) experience running work.
- Anyone who has been identified as a potential future field leader.
- Journeyworkers and apprentices interested in becoming field leaders.
WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS NEED TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
- The support of their MCAA contractor.
- The consent of their direct supervisor to step away from their work area for 90 minutes each week to participate in the live online lecture.
- An additional hour per week for completing weekly course requirements (assignments & quizzes).
- Access to a laptop or tablet and a stable internet connection fast enough to allow for video streaming.
- An email address to receive course information and reminders; a web browser to access the online course portal; and a Zoom account to join the lectures.
- A desire to learn and an interest in field leadership!
HOW WAS THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPED?
- The FFL is taught by senior field leaders with extensive experience running mechanical jobs.
- The curriculum is built from the input of 42 mechanical field leaders from MCAA member companies across the country. The topics covered in this course were identified by these 42 experts as being the most important things for new field leaders to learn.
- Each lecture is a combination of best practices, lessons learned, and tips and tricks.
- Upon completion of all course requirements (weekly lecture attendance, video assignments, and quizzes), participants will receive an MCAA Foundations of Field Leadership diploma.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY TOPIC
- The Field Leader’s Role
- Productivity & Goal Setting
- Documentation & Communication
- Planning & Scheduling
- Relationships
- Safety & Compliance
- Technology As A Tool
- Leadership
WHAT DO OUR RECENT GRADUATES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR FFL EXPERIENCE?
About the course overall:
- “This program gave me confidence by letting me by letting me know someone above saw my work ethic and thought I could become a leader. Also helping me take steps to become a good one.”
- “Very informative on the basics of field leadership. And the tips on how to be a good leader.”
- “I really enjoyed everything about it.”
About the instructors:
- “I liked the [instructors] because they gave a lot of great stories/examples to better understand the material.”
- “It was nice to hear from people who know the trade and have been in our situations.”
- “I liked the personal stories they would tell that were relatable; making the information stick easier.”
About the course content:
- “The class was very informative and provided plenty of information I could use to help myself in the future.”
- “I enjoyed the pointers followed with examples to help paint the picture for me to understand the topic.”
- “Informative and easy to understand.”
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
- Show up on time to lecture and attend all eight lectures in the program.
- We understand that due to the nature of jobsite work, participants may not be able to make it to all 8 live lectures. Participants may watch lecture recordings of up to two of the eight lectures, provided they attend a minimum of 6 live lectures.
- Watch a weekly video clip and answer a few short questions about it.
- Participate in lectures, including the polls and short-answer chat questions during class.
- Complete all eight weekly quizzes by their deadlines.
- On-time completion of all requirements is required for participants to receive an FFL Diploma.
2025 COURSE DATES & TIME COMMITMENTS
- An FFL course is 8 weeks long. Lectures take place once a week, always on the same day of the week.
- Lectures are 90-minutes long.
- This includes 15 minutes for participants to put down their tools, leave their worksite, and log in via their laptop/tablet in a quiet place. Lecture begins 15min. after the hour.
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
What Is It?
- An online program, intended to be a precursor to the MCAA’s Institute for Project Management, overseen by the same committee that manages the IPM and AIPM.
- A 12-week curriculum, taught as a series of 90-minute classes, covering topics fundamental to project management at an introductory level.
Who Should Attend?
- Individuals on the project management track, who have relatively little (0-3 years) experience.
- This includes:
- Assistant Project Managers
- Project Engineers
- Recent college graduates
- Employees transitioning from field to office, or from estimating to project management
Course Structure
- Pre-IPM is designed and taught by 6 experienced contractors and professional instructors who have first-hand understanding of the challenges facing project managers, and the skills required to meet those challenges.
- Each session is a combination of lecture and Q&A, ensuring that students are involved in a dynamic learning experience.
- Participants will complete weekly quizzes and homework assignments, demonstrating what they have learned.
- Upon completion of all course requirements (lectures, quizzes, and homework), students will receive MCAA Pre-IPM certification.
Curriculum Overview by Topic
- Understanding The Project Manager’s Role
- Planning: The Key to Successful Projects
- The Project Manager’s Impact on Productivity
- Knowing Your Costs, Catching Problems Early, and Getting Paid
- Documentation: Why Great Projects Need Great Records
- Project Scheduling: The Importance of Having a Clear Game Plan
- Relationships Are Everything: Understanding Yourself and Managing Others
- Being A Professional: Problem-Solving and Issue Resolution
- Change Orders 101: Identification, Importance, and Management
- Time Management & Personal Efficiency
- Leadership at All Levels: Your Ability to Influence Others
- Project Completion: Starting Strong and Finishing Stronger
How Will This Benefit My Workforce?
- The Pre-IPM curriculum is designed to build participants’ understanding of key components of mechanical project management.
- Pre-IPM will improve participants’ efficiency, management skills, and ability to adapt to change. Practical application is a core focus, and participants will walk away from each session with new ideas and skills to apply to their jobs.
Participation Requirements
- Students must attend all 12 lectures. Lectures will not be recorded.
- Students must complete all quizzes and submit all homework assignments by their respective deadlines to be eligible for Pre-IPM certification.
- Students must be able to participate on a computer (not a tablet or phone), with audio and video capability and a reliable high-speed internet connection that allows video streaming. Each student must be signed in on their own computer, and must be prepared to come onscreen and ask/respond to questions.
2025 Course Information
- All 2025 courses begin the week of April 28th and conclude the week of July 28th.
- Classes will take place 2:30pm-4pm EDT (11:30am-1pm PDT).
- There are no classes the weeks of May 26th or June 30th, due to holidays.
- Participants much attend all sessions to be eligible for certification
Registration & Waitlist Information
- If you have any questions or issues with registration (including payment), email events@mcaa.org
- Tuition is payable online during registration. Refunds will not be issued after the first day of class, nor for partial completion of the program.
- When the 2025 classes are filled, we will maintain a waitlist in case of cancellations. If you would like to add yourself or someone from your company to the waitlist, please complete and submit the form below.
- If we receive a cancellation, waitlist requests will be processed in the order in which they are received.
- You will only be notified if we receive a cancellation in a class that you have indicated you are able to attend (please select all that apply in the waitlist form).
The PIPM is designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical project management education. This program is delivered online, with weekly 90-minute sessions on topics fundamental to successful project management that are applicable regardless of company size. Our team of contractor-instructors provide an introductory education on everything from planning to scheduling; from cost control to time management. Lectures are live, never recorded, and students are regularly called upon to come onscreen and contribute. Lessons learned in class are reenforced through quizzes and homework assignments.
Classes will take place 11:00am-12:30pm EDT (8:00am-9:30am PDT).
The PIPM is designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical project management education. This program is delivered online, with weekly 90-minute sessions on topics fundamental to successful project management that are applicable regardless of company size. Our team of contractor-instructors provide an introductory education on everything from planning to scheduling; from cost control to time management. Lectures are live, never recorded, and students are regularly called upon to come onscreen and contribute. Lessons learned in class are reenforced through quizzes and homework assignments.
Classes will take place 11:00am-12:30pm EDT (8:00am-9:30am PDT).
The PIPM is designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical project management education. This program is delivered online, with weekly 90-minute sessions on topics fundamental to successful project management that are applicable regardless of company size. Our team of contractor-instructors provide an introductory education on everything from planning to scheduling; from cost control to time management. Lectures are live, never recorded, and students are regularly called upon to come onscreen and contribute. Lessons learned in class are reenforced through quizzes and homework assignments.
Classes will take place 2:30pm-4pm EDT (11:30am-1pm PDT).
WHAT IS IT?
- A new online program for new or aspiring field leaders.
- An 8-week course made up of live lectures, short assignments, quizzes, and video segments.
- An overview of concepts and practices essential to running a successful mechanical jobsite.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Field leaders who have relatively little (0-2 years) experience running work.
- Anyone who has been identified as a potential future field leader.
- Journeyworkers and apprentices interested in becoming field leaders.
WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS NEED TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
- The support of their MCAA contractor.
- The consent of their direct supervisor to step away from their work area for 90 minutes each week to participate in the live online lecture.
- An additional hour per week for completing weekly course requirements (assignments & quizzes).
- Access to a laptop or tablet and a stable internet connection fast enough to allow for video streaming.
- An email address to receive course information and reminders; a web browser to access the online course portal; and a Zoom account to join the lectures.
- A desire to learn and an interest in field leadership!
HOW WAS THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPED?
- The FFL is taught by senior field leaders with extensive experience running mechanical jobs.
- The curriculum is built from the input of 42 mechanical field leaders from MCAA member companies across the country. The topics covered in this course were identified by these 42 experts as being the most important things for new field leaders to learn.
- Each lecture is a combination of best practices, lessons learned, and tips and tricks.
- Upon completion of all course requirements (weekly lecture attendance, video assignments, and quizzes), participants will receive an MCAA Foundations of Field Leadership diploma.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY TOPIC
- The Field Leader’s Role
- Productivity & Goal Setting
- Documentation & Communication
- Planning & Scheduling
- Relationships
- Safety & Compliance
- Technology As A Tool
- Leadership
WHAT DO OUR RECENT GRADUATES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR FFL EXPERIENCE?
About the course overall:
- “This program gave me confidence by letting me by letting me know someone above saw my work ethic and thought I could become a leader. Also helping me take steps to become a good one.”
- “Very informative on the basics of field leadership. And the tips on how to be a good leader.”
- “I really enjoyed everything about it.”
About the instructors:
- “I liked the [instructors] because they gave a lot of great stories/examples to better understand the material.”
- “It was nice to hear from people who know the trade and have been in our situations.”
- “I liked the personal stories they would tell that were relatable; making the information stick easier.”
About the course content:
- “The class was very informative and provided plenty of information I could use to help myself in the future.”
- “I enjoyed the pointers followed with examples to help paint the picture for me to understand the topic.”
- “Informative and easy to understand.”
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
- Show up on time to lecture and attend all eight lectures in the program.
- We understand that due to the nature of jobsite work, participants may not be able to make it to all 8 live lectures. Participants may watch lecture recordings of up to two of the eight lectures, provided they attend a minimum of 6 live lectures.
- Watch a weekly video clip and answer a few short questions about it.
- Participate in lectures, including the polls and short-answer chat questions during class.
- Complete all eight weekly quizzes by their deadlines.
- On-time completion of all requirements is required for participants to receive an FFL Diploma.
2025 COURSE DATES & TIME COMMITMENTS
- An FFL course is 8 weeks long. Lectures take place once a week, always on the same day of the week.
- Lectures are 90-minutes long.
- This includes 15 minutes for participants to put down their tools, leave their worksite, and log in via their laptop/tablet in a quiet place. Lecture begins 15min. after the hour.
MSCA’s Field Supervisors is focused training designed specifically for improving the performance of service field supervisors. Using proven methods, this program will advance skills in leadership, coaching, planning, time management, communication, and motivational techniques, all of which will give the field supervisor an edge and the confidence to deal with the workplace challenges of today.
Schedule (subject to change):
MCAA, SMACNA, TAUC have partnered together to host the Safety & Health Conference, the biggest construction safety event of the year. The conference brings together safety professionals from across the construction industry to collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities within our field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a range of educational programs designed to enhance their professional skills. Subject Matter Experts will cover various aspects of jobsite safety, including discussions on emerging technologies and evolving best practices that can be implemented in their operations. Hands-on workshops will also be available, allowing experts to delve into new safety & health concepts in detail and provide practical guidance to help attendees better understand these innovative ideas. Two summits will also be offered, a pre-conference Construction Mental Health Summit and a post-conference Construction Risk Management Summit.
MCAA Fabrication conference is one of the most popular educational events of the year. The focus of the conference is on off-site manufacturing techniques, processes and strategies. Each year the conference includes an operations tour with a full explanation of how the host contractor performs fabrication. This is paired with practical education sessions that feature contractors showcasing best in class case studies of their own operations from around the country.
MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have partnered together to host the MEP Innovations Conference. Known as the best technology conference for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, service and sheet metal contractors, this conference will provide educational sessions led by contractors from all three trade associations. This three day event includes innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions, and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations highlighting the recent technologies that can improve MEP contractors’ productivity and profitability.
The annual WiMI conference will feature exceptional speakers, interactive educational sessions, industry related roundtables and opportunities to build lasting relationships with fellow women in the mechanical industry. A full menu of educational offerings will help you discover all the opportunities this industry has to offer. From industry newcomers to executives, and everyone in between, this is the event to attend for all women in the mechanical contracting industry.
MSCA’s Growing and Developing Service Supervisors is focused training designed specifically for improving the performance of service field supervisors. Using proven methods, this program will advance skills in leadership, coaching, planning, time management, communication, and motivational techniques, all of which will give the field supervisor an edge and the confidence to deal with the workplace challenges of today.
MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have partnered together to host the MEP Innovations Conference. Known as the best technology conference for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, service and sheet metal contractors, this conference will provide educational sessions led by contractors from all three trade associations. This three day event includes innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions, and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations highlighting the recent technologies that can improve MEP contractors’ productivity and profitability.
The annual WiMI conference will feature exceptional speakers, interactive educational sessions, industry related roundtables and opportunities to build lasting relationships with fellow women in the mechanical industry. A full menu of educational offerings will help you discover all the opportunities this industry has to offer. From industry newcomers to executives, and everyone in between, this is the event to attend for all women in the mechanical contracting industry.
The annual WiMI conference will feature exceptional speakers, interactive educational sessions, industry related roundtables and opportunities to build lasting relationships with fellow women in the mechanical industry. A full menu of educational offerings will help you discover all the opportunities this industry has to offer. From industry newcomers to executives, and everyone in between, this is the event to attend for all women in the mechanical contracting industry.
