Concrete Education, Training & Certification: ACI's Concrete Resource Centers

ACI Certification provides the concrete industry with qualified individuals to ensure concrete construction satisfies project specifications and code requirements. Over 375,000 individuals have successfully earned certifications in the Institute’s introductory program, Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade I. Since 1983, over 600,000 technicians, inspectors, craftsmen, supervisors, engineers, and design professionals have achieved ACI certification in 30 programs offered across three practice areas: materials testing, inspection, and specialty construction.

ACI chapters and other sponsoring groups have traditionally provided opportunities for certification, from training and review to certification and assessment, and work diligently to assist candidates in meeting the requirements for the chosen program. ACI certifications have nearly doubled in the last decade, both in the number of programs offered as well as in the number of candidates obtaining certifications. With demand for certification continuing to grow and new programs being added, the development of additional delivery methods is critical to meeting these demands and maintaining a qualified workforce in the concrete industry.

ACI is meeting industry needs by opening Resource Centers that will expand accessibility to the Institute’s certification and training programs, educational seminars, and custom training. At the Fall 2019 ACI Concrete Convention, ACI’s Board of Direction approved the development and implementation of three Resource Centers in the U.S. Strategically placed across the country, these Resource Centers provide scheduled and on-demand sessions for all 30 programs currently offered, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. As of April 2022, two ACI Resource Centers are fully operational and open to the industry.

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The ACI Resource Center – Southern California, is located in San Bernardino, CA, with four major airports nearby. The ACI Resource Center – Chicago/Midwest, is located in Elk Grove Village, IL, just minutes from O’Hare Airport and numerous interstate highway access points. A third location along the East Coast is planned for 2023.

These locations were selected to provide easy access within these regions by automobile, or by air if traveling from outside the region. A full offering of sessions are scheduled and posted on the ACI website but all programs will also be available on-demand, on weekends, and through individual appointments on request.

The concrete mixing station within the American Concrete Institute's Southern California Resource Center.American Concrete Institute

Each Resource Center is designed to deliver all certification programs offered by ACI and is fully equipped with a classroom, a laboratory area, and a multipurpose space for industry events.

The classroom space can seat up to 25 individuals and provides the instructor a platform to share knowledge and give hands-on equipment and material demonstrations. It will be used for Technician, Inspection, and Construction Specialist program delivery and for all written examinations.

The laboratory space has designated work areas that include all the equipment and materials required for all ACI laboratory and technician certification programs.

The multipurpose space is designed to expand concrete education, promote and serve ACI chapters and sponsoring groups, and support larger industry-relevant events. The multipurpose space will typically accommodate groups of up to 75 individuals for a variety of events, including educational seminars, ACI chapter meetings, certification pilot programs, orientation programs for our sponsoring groups, ACI Chapter Roundtables, Certification Summits, regional student competitions, and more, all in support of advancing concrete knowledge.

In fact, the newly-opened ACI Resource Center – Chicago/Midwest recently hosted over 70 guests during the ACI Illinois Chapter Concrete Mixer. The opening of this facility gives the Institute a brick-and-mortar presence in the Midwest region, provides the ACI Illinois Chapter a convenient and flexible resource for its events, and will provide the industry with expanded opportunities to develop the next generation of concrete professionals. Collaboration and leveraging the strength of ACI Chapters is critical in ACI Resource Center efforts to support the needs of the concrete industry.

Custom Training & Education

The Institute’s staff and industry experts are available to lead educational programs that include fundamentals of concrete, advanced concrete mixture design, concrete durability, troubleshooting concrete issues, and specialty concrete, as well as custom seminars. Training-only programs are also being offered to anyone new to the industry who is just beginning a career. Custom private training programs are also available upon request.

The ACI staff members directly involved in launching these Resource Centers are pleased to be a part of this important effort to support our industry. As part of ACI's “always advancing” efforts, these centers help to ensure that ACI remains committed to providing additional opportunities to educate, train, and qualify individuals to support and strengthen the concrete community and grow our industry.

About the authors

William (Rusty) Owings III serves as ACI Resource Center Manager. He has over 20 years of experience working in the design and construction industry and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Michael Morrison, FACI, is ACI Manager, Certification Program Development. He leads the development of potential new certification programs and assists ACI subcommittees with current Board-approved programs. He also serves as ACI’s certification representative to standards development organizations and is an active member of ASTM International.