General contractors and construction management firms are taking advantage of enforced downtime to train workers in new skills and technologies. Barton Malow is based in Southfield, Michigan, where a statewide order has halted construction on most projects. The company is leveraging the shutdown as an opportunity for employees to pursue project management certification and other qualifications.
A recent survey by Dakea, a leading UK manufacturer of roof windows, chassis, and blinds, showed that 31 percent of tradespeople in the United Kingdom were utilizing downtime to learn new skills and 14 percent were undertaking online product training. Dakea's Trade Matters portal also offers free downloadable content for contractors and installers.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides online courses in every area of project and program management skill development, all of which count for Professional Development Units (PDUs) or Continuing Education Units (CEUs). In light of the SARS-CoV-2 crisis, PMI's new course, Managing Virtual Teams, details tools and strategies for running successful projects from home.
