Certificate in Specifications
Earn your CSP or RSW designation!
Description
EARN A CERTIFICATE IN SPECIFICATIONS: Certified Specification Practitioner (CSP) or Registered Specifications Writer (RSW)
Traditionally, these designations were promoted to the consulting industry to develop Specification Writers. However, as we see the industry transition to complex collaborative models such as Construction Management, Design-Build, and Integrated Project Delivery models the requirement to understand specifications has become a major asset for General Contractors, Trade Contractors, Consultants and Owners. Features and Benefits of these courses:
- Produce and interpret high-quality division 00/01 specifications (Front End Specifications), technical specifications, proposals, and sequential bid packages.
- Improving the efficiency and proficiency of bid package preparation will lead to better pricing, fewer addenda, and request for information (RFI).
- Understanding specifications better will enable faster and more precise cost estimation.
- Create and interpret clear and concise trade scopes.
- Due to the scarcity of industry professionals in Manitoba with CSP and/or RSW designations, achieving one of these certifications showcases your dedication and expertise in producing high-quality documentation.
In addition to having a minimum amount of related industry experience and other assignments applicants for the CSP and RSW designation must complete these two courses:
- Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD)
- Specifier Course (SP)
COURSE 1: Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD)
35 hours (5 days: October 23 - 27)
The Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD) will provide you the fundamentals of construction documentation. You will learn about specifications, drawings and schedules, products, bidding procedures and contracts. This course is designed for individuals involved in the construction industry who are required to produce, read, review and supply products for, or rely upon, the project manual/specifications. The focus is to emphasize the relationship that exists between specifications and drawings, and the role of the industry participants. In other words, it is designed for anyone in construction, whether you work as a designer, consultant, contractor or supplier.
Topics:
- Construction process
- Production of construction documents
- Forms of contract
- Codes and standards
- Risk managements issues
- Legal issues
- Building science
- Contract administration
- Communications
- Trends in the construction industry
COURSE 2: Specifier (SP)
42 hours (6 days: March 11 - 15, March 18 online)
The Specifier (SP) course continues from where the Principles of Construction Documents (PCD) course ends and will provide you with the ability to interpret and create quality documentation and specifications. You will acquire the special techniques and skills required to write the procurement and contractual requirements of: Division 00; the administrative, procedural and temporary requirements of Division 01; and the technical specifications of Divisions 02 – 49.
At the completion of the course, you will have a solid grasp of a specifier’s role, legal issues including contracts, bidding and disputes, writing style used in the profession and the process of researching and selecting products.
Topics:
- Types of Construction Contracts and Project Delivery Methods
- Procurement and Contracting Requirements
- Lien Legislation, Bonds, Insurance and Dispute Mechanisms
- Writing From a Master Specification
- Writing Original Specification Sections
- Product Selection, Research and Assessment
- Codes and Standards
- Division 01 – Administrative and Procedural Requirements
- Division 01 – Temporary Facilities and Controls
- Division 01 – Performance Requirements and Life Cycle Activities
- Relationships and Coordination – Divisions 00, 01 and Technical Sections
- Specifying Quality and Performance Requirements
- Specifying For Special Requirements
Intended Audience
The Specifier course is beneficial to anyone that works with construction specifications, including General Contractors, Trade Contractors, Consultants and Owners.
- Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers
- Specification Consultants, Specification Writers
- Project Managers, Site Superintendents, Estimators
- Building Authorities
- Building Owners/Facility Managers
If you are interested in taking only one of courses (either PCD or Specifier), contact Peggy at peggy@winnipegconstruction.ca.
Presenter
Glenn Chatten, Wordclear Specifications
With an honors degree in religious studies and psychology from the University of Waterloo and having studied for a M.Div. at McMaster University Seminary, at first glance, Glenn Chatten may not seem to be considered a likely candidate for work in the Construction or Architectural Design Industry. Add also the fact that he is a well known, award winning, singer/songwriter, CFMA nominated, professional finger-style guitarist and an accomplished touring recording artist, the chances of seeing him in at construction or design meetings would seem remote.
Yet, Glenn has carved out a niche for himself in the world of construction by his varied experiences ranging from being a steel worker at Inverleigh Bridge Construction in the mid-eighties; the CEO of an award winning Ontario contracting firm in the nineties; the Architectural Sales Representative for Western Canada for General Paint Inc; to a successful specification writer working in partnership with Specworks Inc. in Vancouver, BC.
The strong thread that has tied all these experiences together has been his continued intent and focus on, awareness of, and ability to utilize his finely tuned and engaging communications skills.
For the past ten years as the Principal of Wordclear Specifications, Glenn works not only as an architectural consultant creating construction documentation and specifications for the West Coast industry but also offers education in the importance of specifications by providing presentations, lectures and workshops to firms, associations, college and universities; and teaching all of the courses (PCD, TR, CA, Specifier) offered by Construction Specifications Canada (CSC).
He brings with him an extensive knowledge of, and experience in - construction design, communication, building envelope sciences, specification writing, contract documentation and project management.
His seminars and lectures are both informative, educational and some would even say, entertaining.
Related Info
WCA Cancellation Policy
WCA will provide a full refund or education credit equal to the amount paid for the course if registration is cancelled five (5) full business days prior to the course start date. Payment is non-refundable for cancellations made within five (5) full business days of the course start date and there will be no transfers to future course dates.
Complimentary substitution of another member of your company/team is welcome right up until the course start time for no additional fee. Please email us at wcaeducation@winnipegconstruction.ca if you require a substitution.