Consistent with PCI's education mission to provide the highest caliber education programs, PCI’s half- or full-day seminars and workshops offer an incredible value for engineers, architects and/or industry employees.

Seminars

Seminars are offered on an as-needed basis and include topics such as Precast 101, the Precast Structural Design Seminar and various handbook seminars. For an up to date listing of events please browse the PCI Calendar. For more information contact education@pci.org. 

Workshops

PCI workshops are offered on a periodic basis and provide a forum for members from all over the country to discuss a variety of business and production topics in a structured, non-proprietary way. Collaborations during PCI workshops have brought about new ideas and have been the catalyst for many of the innovations seen in member plants every day. Candid discussions identify areas of concern and showcase solutions for improvement others have found when encountering similar problems in the past. Current workshop topics include:

Architectural Patching, Repair and Cleaning
The cost of forms for architectural precast is generally 3 to 10% of the total cost of the precast. Your current methods of mold fabrication may not be the most suitable for retention. Although proven methods are the most desirable and may still suit current production, the mold shop must be constantly on the lookout for new ideas. The workshop is the quickest way to bring latest techniques and information on form materials to your production operation.

Architectural Precast Concrete Production Workshop
These workshops are programmed and guided by experts and designed to promote an exchange of experience from plants throughout North America that brings out solutions to problems in an effective way. Approaches to mix designs, mixing, conveying of concrete, placing and consolation, curing, stripping, storage and loading all provide new ideas and innovations.

Surface Finishing Techniques Workshop
You can never afford to think that your current methods of surface finishing are the most suitable methods for retention. Although proven methods are the most desirable and may suit current production, plants need to periodically look at techniques that will produce a uniform finish while saving time and labor. Approaches to surface finishing as well as the production process from mix designs to inspection are discussed. A plant visit and demonstrations at the plant round out the workshop, providing first hand inspection of good finishing techniques.

Productivity Tour and Workshop (Offered Annually)
Directed at general managers, plant managers, plant superintendents and production managers, the primary aim of this program is to help participants apply techniques for improving productivity. Producers can identify potential bottlenecks and eliminate them through proper training or changes in process control. These sessions are among the highest rated of all workshops conducted by PCI.

Project Management Workshop
Project Management is vital. Effective project management and project managers can mean the difference between making and losing money, pleasing and losing clients, and maintaining a good firm image and getting a “bad rep.” Are your project management practices better than your peers? Is your firm doing enough to keep your project managers from turning to the competition? Every project manager needs to attend this workshop to learn cutting-edge methods that help a company grow and become more profitable. Not only will they pick up ideas on management approaches but you will begin to network with their peers.

Contract/Insurance Financial Performance Workshop (Offerings vary based on hot topic)
To keep pace with the rapidly changing construction industry, traditional insurance products and services are being offered in new ways. These new products and services are found increasingly in construction contracts, an integral part of the construction process and need to be reviewed with a critical eye. Too often, the subject of contractual liability (that liability which is assumed through the contract with another party) is either overlooked or not reviewed thoroughly. Administering the construction contract and the corresponding insurance requirements so as to protect your company from excessive contractual liability can be an immense task. An open forum discussion will give the participants the opportunity to share ideas for saving money and improving efficiency in the finance, accounting, and estimating functions. These workshops will provide a forum for sharing "best practice" ideas between peers.

For workshops or general questions, please contact education@pci.org.