As summer dwindles and back-to-school season creeps in, we want to remind you of the precast concrete educational and training courses and resources for students and industry professionals looking to grow their industry knowledge.
Precast concrete is shaping the future of building construction, from apartments and hospitals to parking garages and beyond. This cutting-edge building material is unmatched in its versatility, affordability, efficiency, and opportunities. Careers in precast concrete construction are bountiful. The jobs are full-time and year-round. Our business partners offer generous compensation packages, often including competitive pay, healthcare benefits, 401(k) retirement savings, paid vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement, boot allowances, continuing education and professional memberships, and more. And, while experience is important and required for some roles, it isn’t always necessary—which is why more teachers and counselors are building their knowledge of the industry to share with best-fit students in their district.
As a leading voice for the precast, prestressed concrete industry, PCI-MA is dedicated to promoting the growth, profitability, and positive perception of working in precast. The first step? Education. Precast concrete education isn't limited to those on related tracks or in trade school… Are you in high school and unsure of your next move? Are you a counselor seeking innovative career paths? Are you already in the construction field but looking for something more sustainable? PCI-MA has the resources and tools to further your knowledge in precast and set you up for success.
We’re dedicated to educating professionals in construction, design, and academia to keep precast front of mind. Explore our virtual and in-person precast training options below.
Virtual Precast Concrete Training Courses
To make precast concrete education widely accessible, we offer various virtual options so that our expertise can reach any and all curious students and professionals.
eLearning Center
Our eLearning Center is a set of curricula designed to broaden your understanding of precast, prestressed concrete. Whether you want to enhance your knowledge of precast design, advance your quality control skills, or learn about architectural precast, the PCI eLearning center is for you.- 175+ on-demand courses and counting
- 14,000 courses completed by people just like you
- Many courses are free, all are affordable
- Personal development hours (PDH) offered
- Credits reported to Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP)
Check out the expansive and growing eLearning Center library of precast concrete training courses.
Online Academy
Continuing education is a means of ensuring you stay up to date on the latest research, innovations, and options available for current and future projects. The PCI Online Academy is a continuing education series for engineering professionals and students. Each course consists of weekly, ninety-minute sessions for four to six weeks.
These precast concrete training courses are taught by leading industry experts, and they’re open to anyone, anywhere. These programs cover technical content valuable to those designing precast concrete structures today and those interested in entering the field. Note there is a charge to attend these courses. Discounts are available to PCI Members.
Enroll in an upcoming course at the PCI Online Academy.
In-Person Precast Concrete Training
In tandem with our virtual precast concrete education options, we also offer in-person precast training, lectures, seminars, and workshops. In-person collaboration is key for both students and established industry professionals looking to advance the future of precast concrete. (P.S. These can also be held virtually!)
Lectures & Student Assistance
At the request of a university or other educational organization, we’ll hold in-person precast training courses. Lectures are offered to both undergraduate and graduate classes for schools of engineering, architecture, and construction management. Following our time together, we’ll provide students with complimentary access to industry resources.
We also sponsor students seeking to join the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute if they're enrolled in an accredited program and are sponsored by a professor. Anyone interested in the plant-produced precast and prestressed concrete industry is eligible to apply—and we want to back you. PCI also offers a textbook distribution program for students who qualify.
Learn more about PCI-MA's Student Education services and request a lecture for your classroom.
Seminars & Workshops
PCI holds half- or full-day seminars and workshops for engineers, architects, or other industry professionals. Seminars are offered on an as-needed basis, while workshops are offered on a periodic basis and provide a forum for members nationwide to come together and discuss hot topics in precast concrete education, from Precast 101 to the techniques, accessibility, and opportunities associated with precast.
Discover our lineup of seminars and workshops to see what value we can bring to your institution.
Dedication to Higher Education
We have multiple partnerships with higher education institutions where we’re committed to supporting and investing in the future of precast concrete education and construction.
The PCI Foundation provides curriculum development grants to architecture, engineering, and construction management schools. These grants facilitate partnerships between institutions and local precast professionals to advance precast concrete education in and out of the classroom, cultivating real-world, on-the-job experiences that could lead to a colorful career.
Highlights of PCI-MA's involvement with universities include:
- University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of Design
At UPenn, PCI sponsored the installment of Design
Seminars and Studios for the Master of Architecture program where students work hands-on with project teams at Northeast Precast in Vineland, NJ. Learn more. - University of Delaware
At the University of Delaware, PCI-MA helped
establish a four-year Precast Design Studio in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department to facilitate precast concrete education to undergraduate and graduate students through courses, co-ops, and hands-on experience. Learn more. - New Jersey Institute of Technology
At NJIT, PCI-MA helped implement six new courses in the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program and Architecture Department, exposing approximately 300 students from various majors to precast concrete education. Learn more
Begin Your Precast Concrete Education
Again, whether you’re a professor or counselor looking to entice students, a construction professional looking to switch fields, or anyone in between, we want to help set you on a path for success. If you're looking for more precast concrete educational resources, download our Infographic on building better student experiences, focused on increasing engagement in architecture, engineering, and construction management.
Ready to enroll in a course? Find the right path or program for you and get started today.
