About Simpson Strong-Tie Workshops & Training
For the past several decades, Simpson Strong-Tie has made training customers a priority and has committed the resources necessary to provide some of the best training available in the industry. As the leader in structural system solutions, Simpson Strong-Tie continues to offer its customers the most relevant and up-to-date training programs to help improve product installations and reduce the cost of construction.
Training efforts are focused on improving building standards and the overall safety of structures. With eight training centers across North America, including a new facility in Eagan, Minnesota, Simpson Strong-Tie provides hundreds of complimentary classes to engineers, architects, builders and code officials each year. In 2010, the company trained more than 10,000 customers on-site and more than 5,000 customers online.
Course offerings include a broad range of topics from anchor system installation and engineered wood frame construction to seismic and high wind design. Simpson Strong-Tie also incorporates the latest building code updates and industry trends into its training curriculum. There are introductory courses as well as more advanced workshops for repeat and seasoned customers.
Full-day workshops typically are offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes are often tailored toward specific audiences to ensure that the training is appropriate and effective. Many courses are team taught by registered engineers to provide in-depth technical expertise in the subject matter. While much of the instruction is technical in nature, many real-life examples and hands-on demonstrations are provided to help attendees fully understand the material presented.
"The workshops are very interactive," explained Charlie Roesset, national training manager for Simpson Strong-Tie. "Depending on the course, students may have the opportunity to view product samples or take part in product testing and installations."
Training courses have been well-received by professionals within the building community. "There's no other manufacturer who provides such extensive training programs," said Roesset. "Specifiers and building officials have come to rely on these courses to keep abreast of the latest code updates and technical information."
Training participants receive a certificate of attendance with professional development hours (PDHs) at the end of each workshop, and may earn continuing education units (CEUs) and/or learning units (LUs) by completing additional requirements. Simpson Strong-Tie is a registered education provider with a number of industry organizations and associations including CSI, BIA, ACIA, AIBD, AIA* and IACET.
Fred Bentzien, S.E., with BAE Structural Engineering, has been a regular attendee of Simpson Strong-Tie workshops. He says the training keeps him informed of topics relevant to his industry and is a great way to keep up with his professional development hours. "Some of the courses offered by other groups are just not that interesting and they can be quite expensive. Simpson programs are interesting, hands-on and free. It's the whole package."
Workshops are regularly updated to reflect changes within the industry. For example, the number of high wind workshops in the Gulf Coast was increased after Hurricane Katrina. With the new building standards in that area, Simpson Strong-Tie has been working with building officials, specifiers and builders to provide hurricane and high wind design information and increase structural safety. The company also was one of the first suppliers to offer information about corrosion and pressure-treated wood when CCA was phased out in 2004.
In addition to its regional training workshops, Simpson Strong-Tie provides training at customer locations. In 2003, the company launched its training program for builders. The training classes are held at job sites and cover essential information on the correct installation of Simpson Strong-Tie products. Training materials are offered in both English and Spanish. (Learn more about the Builder Training Program.)
To sign up for a workshop and for more information about Simpson Strong-Tie training programs, including new online courses, visit www.strongtie.com/workshops.
* Simpson Strong-Tie is registered with the American Institute of Architects, Continuing Education System (AIA CES) as a provider of AIA Learning Units (AIA LUs).