Why ACI Certification

The COVID pandemic has added a new urgency to an already existing complex labor market to recruit and retain workers. This presentation will report and then extend the results from a recently completed Local Rural Roads Board and MnDOT study that explored and examined possible causes and organizational response strategies of the workforce shortage in Minnesota’s transportation industry. Data from other recent research as well as current and emerging trends on human resource planning and practice will be presented. Discussion will focus on appropriate human resource and workforce planning from strategic, financially sustainable, and developmental approaches will be highlighted.

The presenter will be Dr. Ken Bartlett, PhD (University of Minnesota).

Everywhere you look, the interest in sustainability is strong. This presentation will review how cement and concrete continue to evolve a year after the release of Portland Cement Association’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality. Many cement producers have announced a shift toward production of portland-limestone cement, or PLC, to reduce their own carbon footprint; many designers have embraced its use. We’ll highlight some recent examples of PLC projects and look at how lower carbon cement fits into the broader efforts of the construction industry to chip away at the environmental footprint associated with creating resilient infrastructure. After this program, participants will have increased knowledge on achieving more sustainable concrete as they understand how to use PLC and other emerging technology and how to quantify impacts associated with them.

The presenter will be Jamie Farny (Portland Cement Association)

This webinar is the first of five webinars in the 2023 Sustainable Structures Webinar Series

A Concrete Flatwork Associate (formerly Concrete Flatwork Technician) is a person who has demonstrated knowledge (via a written examination) on proper procedures to place, consolidate, finish, edge, joint, cure and protect concrete flatwork.

Certification Requirements:  ACI will grant certification to those candidates who obtain a passing grade on the written examination.  The two-hour written examination is closed-book and consists of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions. The passing grade for the written examination is 70%.

Recertification is necessary every five years and requires successful completion of a written examination OR 10 hours documented continuing education from an approved source. Individuals with Concrete Flatwork Associate certification can upgrade to Advanced Finisher status upon submittal and approval of sufficient work experience or combination of sufficient work experience and passing the ACI performance examination. Certification at the Advanced Finisher level is valid for the remainder of the original Associate certification period.

An Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher (formerly Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Technician) is a craftsman who has demonstrated the knowledge AND skills and/or experience necessary to place, consolidate, finish, edge, joint, cure and protect concrete flatwork.

Certification Requirements:  ACI will grant certification to those candidates who obtain a passing grade on the written examination PLUS either:

Possess 4,500 hours of actual on-the-job finishing* experience (approximately three years of regular full-time work) OR possess 1,500 hours of actual on-the-job finishing* experience (approximately one year of regular full-time work) AND successfully complete the performance examination**.

**MCC will NOT be offering a performance examination at this class, so anyone seeking Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher Certification at this class MUST possess 4,500 hours of actual on-the-job finishing experience.

Recertification is necessary every five years and requires successful completion of either a written examination, or a combination of 10 hours documented continuing education from an approved source and 4500 hours of verified continuing work experience attained within the previous 5 years.

*Finishing experience includes concrete placement, consolidation, jointing, curing and protection, finishing, form setting, prep work, rubbing, patching, and saw cutting. Verification of the work experience by the candidate's employer(s) is required.