If you are testing in either June or August, classes are starting in May. In Tampa, the first class is May 7th. In Orlando and Ft. Myers, the first class is May 9th. This is our 2nd session of classes for the year, so if you plan to test in June or August, now is the time to get registered! You can print out a class schedule in our Schedule section, you can register for classes in the Register section, and you can purchase books in our online Bookstore!

What makes a good design
An innovative and striking building can lure tenants and become a landmark associated with a certain company, but designers run the risk of creating an eyesore by trying too hard to be innovative. A good design strikes an accord among form, function and a budget.  Commercial Property News Magazine

Rosie the Riveter's back on the line
Nationwide, women constitute only 1.7% of carpenters, although that could change if some tradeswomen get their druthers and are successful in attracting women to the professions. The dearth of female bricklayers and construction workers often is attributed to the poor -- and sometimes sexist -- working conditions, but industry insiders say the attitudes are changing.  The Washington Post (5/1)

"The essence of genius is to know what to overlook."
William James

The Beginnings of the Great Fragmented Industry Part I
Take a closer look at our past to better understand why there may be so many problems within the Construction Industry.
Today, the design and construction industry is a fragmented industry. This results in poor communication and working relationships between designers and constructors. In addition, the entire project process may look great on paper; however, it is a process that currently lacks coordination between the design and construction phases. This creates an atmosphere that breeds constructability and quality problems, increasing amounts of rework, and unnecessary cost. For more information about this and other related topics visit http://construction.about.com.

Governor's Hurricane Conference
Now in its 17th year, the Governor's Hurricane Conference remains one of the state's largest venues for extensive training programs designed for anyone involved in emergency preparedness - from the local volunteer, to local emergency responders and officials, to state and federal agencies that work together in providing the best disaster preparedness program.
Florida is so fortunate to have a team dedicated to protecting its residents and visitors from hurricanes or any other disaster. A lot has been accomplished in the last 4 years, especially by improving evacuation routes, adding more shelter spaces, and using technology to streamline access to critical information that individuals and families can use to make the best decisions before, during and after any disaster.
While the state has not recently experienced a major land falling hurricane, we cannot forget the effects of Hurricane Isidore and Hurricane Lili racing through the Gulf of Mexico. Both storms brought torrential rains and winds, causing flooding in many regions across Florida.
This year's theme of "Protecting the Homeland from Hurricanes: An All Hazards Approach" is appropriate. Even during these difficult times where we are facing the threat of terrorism, we must not forget that hurricanes will continue to threaten us as well. Whether it's individual or family preparedness, this conference can provide you with the tools to learn about the latest trends in hurricane preparedness. It will also provide you the opportunity to come together and learn about what others around the state are doing. Understanding the roles and responsibilities before disaster strikes will ensure that we can provide the best services to those in need. For more information, visit www.myflorida.com .

"All the good things in life are born in dreams.  Be a dreamer"
Author Unknown

MoldDog uses nose to get to the source
The canine mold detectors can pinpoint the source of the mold in a way that equipment can't without repeat testing and potential work on the structure. Some inspectors use the dogs as a complement to visual and technical readings on a commercial or residential property, but other remain skeptical.  Inman News

USGBC Report Underscores Need to Promote Environmentally Friendly Buildings
A new report prepared by the U.S. Green Building Council says that design, construction, and operation of the more than 76 million residential and nearly 5 million commercial buildings accounts for 20 percent of the economy and more than 40 percent of energy consumption, pollution and waste.
At the report's announcement, Sen. James Jeffords — a ranking member of the U.S. Senate Public Works and Environment Committee — said, "This report underscores the need to provide federal incentives and resources to promote the construction of high-performance green buildings."
Jeffords is working to introduce legislation to promote buildings that incorporate energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other green design features. He noted that the federal government could accelerate the mainstreaming of high-performance building practices while saving taxpayer dollars.
The report, called "Building Momentum: National Trends and Prospects for High-Performance Green Buildings," outlines specific recommendations such as strengthening existing federal policies and programs on green building, including the use of full-cost accounting results, and boosting funding for research.
In the last three years, the amount of facility space registered to certify as green by Green Building Council has doubled to more than 100 million square feet.
For more information, go to www.usgbc.org