Ohio Vocational Students Participate in Build With Strength ICF Education Event

NRMCA, the Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association (ICFMA), ICF manufacturer Superform and Ohio Concrete partnered with Columbus, OH, city schools to offer insulating concrete form (ICF) education and training (shown here) to over 60 vocational students last week in Central Ohio, reports NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Donn Thompson. The two-day event featured a new streamlined version of ICF construction training. The instruction offers specialized vocational credits for the students, recently recognized by the Ohio Department of Education as an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) beginning with the 2023 school year. Attendees earned six of the 12 IRCs required for graduation under the state’s program.

“Interest in the credentialed ICF training from other Ohio school districts has led to ongoing discussions among all participating organizations to look at additional student events in other locations in the state,” said Thompson's colleague, Project Manager, Concrete Promotion, Derek Torres. Columbus school officials are applying for grant funding to expand the program as part of ongoing industry recruitment efforts. The program can potentially serve as a model for similar vocational training for future ICF installers in other locations in the U.S.

Local construction arts instructors were provided with the nearby location of a new ICF hotel project where students will be able to tour an actual multistory concrete commercial project.

For more information on the ICFMA installers training, contact Derek Torres at dtorres@nrmca.org. Donn Thompson, dthompson@nrmca.org, can provide more information on additional Build With Strength activities throughout the Midwest.