NRMCA’s Concrete Sustainability Conference
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Alan Sparkman served as a reviewer for presentations at this conference, and was again selected as a presenter for the 2015 Conference. Mr. Sparkman presented on Going Net Zero featuring TCA’s Net Zero building on the TCA Campus and on Maintaining and Cleaning Pervious Concrete. He also attended the full conference. A copy of Mr. Sparkman’s pervious maintenance presentation can be downloaded here.
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TCA provided seminars at two statewide events for the Tennessee Stormwater Association in 2015, in addition to working directly with both Chattanooga and Knoxville/Knox County to hold local events in their respective cities. This group brings together primary regulatory decision makers and implementers in the stormwater arena from all across Tennessee. Their Annual Convention program is provided here to illustrate the reach and technical expertise represented by this group (a link to Sparkman’s presentation can be found under Day 3 on this program).
TCA maintains a very active educational effort that touches present and future decision-makers across Tennessee and nationwide. TCA also manages national certification programs for NRMCA and ACI and is the Local Sponsoring Group for both in Tennessee.
We have selected five samples that highlight the diversity of our
educational efforts in 2015 and they are presented in this section.
Education within the industry
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World of Concrete Pervious Live – TCA managed the Pervious Live area for the World of Concrete for the fifth consecutive year in 2015. This unique educational effort has brought basic knowledge about pervious concrete (and the NRMCA Pervious Installer Certification program) to thousands of people over the past five years. Director Sparkman also brought along 11 CIM students from MTSU to serve as crew for the Pervious Live area, as well as several other events and training activities taking place in the Gold Lot. CIM students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with some of the leading craftsman in the concrete industry thanks to this joint effort of TCA, MTSU and Hanley-Wood. A video clip from World of Concrete 2015 can be viewed here.
Outreach to Tennessee Colleges and Universities
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In addition to guest lectures as requested at all Tennessee schools, TCA currently supports the CIM program at MTSU with a student scholarship program by granting one 4-year scholarship (worth $8,000 over 4 years) each year. Since the program’s inception, TCA has issued scholarships to 35 individuals. TCA also offers heavily discounted ACI certifications to all college students. In 2015 TCA provided paid internships for 2 CIM students –TCA has provided internships for over 50 students since 2008. Many of these interns are now working in the industry and we are proud to have had a part in helping prepare them for a successful career in the concrete industry. Interns for 2015 were Shane Xu and Celecita Williams - both wrote articles on millennials and workforce issues as part of their 2015 work and these articles were distributed to TCA members. To read Shane and Celecita's articles, click below:
National Certification Programs
TCA manages national certification programs for NRMCA and ACI and is the Local Sponsoring Group for both for all of Tennessee. A list of certifications offered by TCA is included below.
ACI: Field Testing Technician Grade One, Adhesive Anchor Installer, Strength Testing Technician, Aggregate Testing Technician, Concrete Construction Special Inspector, Flatwork Technician/Finisher, Laboratory Technician Two, Transportation Construction Inspector.
NRMCA: Pervious Concrete Technician/Installer, Certified Concrete Sales Professional, Durability Course (in 2015), Plant Certification.
Students from several states and Puerto Rico gathered in Chattanooga to compete in the concrete canoe contest as well as many other competitions. Alan Sparkman served as a judge for the two-day event on behalf of UT-Chattanooga’s engineering department.
The class studies fresh pervious concrete up close and personal as instructor Alan Sparkman points out key points about evaluating the fresh pervious prior to placement.
Alan Sparkman led a “Concrete 101” class specifically designed for new mixer operators as part their orientation with TCA member company IMI. The class was held at the TCA Campus and included a tour of the campus and the many different applications of concrete that are showcased there.
Students from several states and Puerto Rico gathered in Chattanooga to compete in the concrete canoe contest as well as many other competitions. Alan Sparkman served as a judge for the two-day event on behalf of UT-Chattanooga’s engineering department.