New Louisiana Residential Construction Program Begins Registration

Construction Worker

Ten-week accreditation course for residential contractors will start in June at Nunez

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s innovative contractor training program is expanding this year to cover the high-demand residential construction field. The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute will launch a Residential Contractors Seminar to provide foundational technical knowledge essential for a contractor to take advantage of business opportunities within the residential construction industry, from new residential construction to home improvement projects.

The program for general contractors debuted in 2016, and its success led to the new seminar that starts in June through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or LCTCS. Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and LCTCS developed the institute to meet the needs of a growing construction industry. Since 2016, about 750 participants have graduated from the seminars.

“The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute Residential Contractors Seminar is the newest opportunity to help Louisiana small businesses understand and enter the construction industry,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “Contractors and the construction industry provide important jobs in Louisiana. The collaborative efforts between LED, LCTCS and State Licensing Board for Contractors allow for the expansion of our accreditation training program. Meeting the project construction demands of today in Louisiana requires a strong construction sector, and this effort helps build that capacity.”

The 10-week course will be offered from June 24 to Aug. 28. It will feature two-hour sessions twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. All information and materials disseminated during the LCAI Residential Contractors Seminar will be focused on residential construction. The topics that will be covered include print reading; building calculations; site work, demolition, and construction; foundations, formwork, and retaining walls; finishes; roof structures; structural loads; wood framing construction; related trades; special construction and equipment; and safety codes.

This program will be offered online via interactive distance-learning to multiple locations throughout Louisiana. Registration is available at Nunez Community College in Chalmette.

“The LCAI is a cooperative partnership to help small businesses learn what it takes to begin a company in the construction industry,” said Executive Director Michael McDuff of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. “Working together, we are helping provide the essential information that contractors need to be successful. LCAI is a win-win program needed for new businesses, the construction industry and consumers.”

Enrollment is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a $350 fee for the seminar and materials. For more information and to register, contact Jessica Mire at 504.278.6439 or jmire@nunez.edu.

Provided by LED (Louisiana Economic Development)