Precast University

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Take your career to a new level with Precast University
Now you can take charge of your career. NPCA’s Master Precaster and Master Prestresser certificate programs will help position you for continued career advancement in the precast and prestress industries. Offered as part of NPCA’s Precast University, the Master Precaster and Master Prestresser certificate programs include precast and prestress-specific training with comprehensive education courses for production, safety, technical, quality control and leadership. Developed in conjunction with industry experts, producers, DOTs and academia, the Precast University curriculum is a perfect complement to employees new to the industry needing a broad knowledge base, and to those employees with precast or prestress experience who want to take the next step in their careers.

Meeting your needs
Precast University courses are offered annually at The Precast Show, throughout the year across the country, and online. NPCA makes it easy to earn your Master Precaster or Master Prestresser certificate by offering comprehensive training with affordable, industry-specific and convenient options. So whether you’re taking Precast University education as part of The Precast Show experience, training your entire plant with a customized course, or sitting in the comfort of your own living room in front of your laptop, NPCA’s education is designed to fit your needs.

Meeting the industry’s needs
NPCA is committed to providing the most comprehensive education programs to the industry. Our Precast University curriculum is regularly reviewed by producers, Departments of Transportation (DOTs), specifiers and others involved with creating and enforcing industry standards. This ongoing review of our curriculum ensures that as new technologies, standards and best practices are developed, Precast University participants are receiving the very latest industry information. Additionally, NPCA works with DOTs to meet statespecific requirements, including offering proctored exams for online education courses as required.

Want to know more? This brochure will answer any questions you may have about Precast University.

PQS Level I

The Production & Quality School Level 1 is NPCA’s baseline educational course offering. It is a 14-hour course thoroughly covering the basic body of knowledge that all employees at a precast concrete plant should have. This course is offered online and annually at The Precast Show. It is a comprehensive, two-day program devoted to addressing the key fundamentals of quality precasting.

Taught by veteran industry experts, the PQS Level I course covers each critical step of the concrete production process from start to finish.

Course participants will discuss:

    • Batching and mixing – The fundamental components needed to ensure a durable, watertight and strong finished product
    • Reinforcement – The role of reinforcement and its impact on handling and placement
    • Production Practices – An overview of the entire production process from pre-pour to post-pour operations
    • Quality Control – A discussion of the top priorities identified by QC Inspectors as well as the importance quality control processes play in your company’s success


Current topics covered include:

    • Concrete Materials
    • Reinforcement
    • Concrete Mixes
    • Batching/Mixing
    • Pre-Pour Operations
    • Production Practices
    • Post-Pour Operations
    • Quality Control
    • Prestress (Optional)

PQS Level 1 concludes with an exam, which the student is required to pass in order to obtain a certificate of course completion.

All NPCA certified plants are required to have appropriately trained quality control personnel and PQS is the perfect course to fulfill that requirement. Click here for more information about the NPCA Plant Certification Program.

Add-on Option:
PQS Level I participants are invited to stay for PQS Prestress Level I following the PQS exam. This two hour session is an introduction to prestressing. Topics include: prestressing terminology, stressing procedures, equipment, industry standards and quality control.

PQS II - Safety

As of July 2011, the requirements for PQS II – Safety have been updated to better accommodate participants who have already earned an OSHA Safety Card. Participants who meet one of the following requirements will receive full credit for completion of PQS II – Safety:

    • Successful completion of NPCA’s 4-hour PQS II – Safety module AND hold a valid OSHA 10-hour Safety Card
    • Hold a valid OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety and Card
    • Hold a valid OSHA Authorized Trainer Card

For those with an OSHA 30-hour or OSHA authorized trainer card you must submit your valid OSHA card and payment information in order to receive credit for PQS II — Safety. Payment of $50 is required for adminstration fees. Following payment, a PQS II shirt, hard had sticker and certificate will be mailed to you.

NPCA’s four-hour PQSII – Safety module is a comprehensive, precast-specific course that examines safety issues associated with the precast production process. Course topics include: precast plant hazards; batching plant hazards; molds and forms; rebar and cage fabrication; curing and finishing; overhead crane and rigging; hand and power tool safety; and forklifts. Upon completion of this course, employees will be well grounded in safety as it applies to the precast industry. For those attendees who successfully complete the course and hold a valid OSHA 10-hour Safety Card, you can receive credit for PQS Level II – Safety by presenting your card at the conclusion of the course.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

    • Identify potential safety hazards in your precast plant
    • Apply techniques and implement programs to improve plant safety
    • Lead toolbox talks on safety topics
    • Develop action plans to address plant safety concerns

PQS II - Technical

Created to build upon the essentials covered during PQS I, this two-day course explores the technical aspects of the manufactured concrete production process.

PQS II participants will focus on five key areas:

1. Basic Mechanics – The fundamental aspects related to stress, strain and stiffness
2. Basics of Design Theory for Concrete Elements – A discussion of the mechanical properties of concrete and steel, complete with demonstrations
3. Proper Lifting of Concrete Elements – The essentials to prevent unexpected movements or failures
4. Reading and Understanding Blueprints – An overview of the basics of blueprint reading and reinforcement as it relates to plans
5. Standards – A discussion of the process used to determine specifications, the development of standards and the requirements to obtain them

The PQS II –Technical course curriculum has been developed to decode technical industry jargon and to provide attendees with a better understanding of the entire precasting process.

*Please note successful completion of the standard PQS Level I course or the PQS Level I Online course since 2000 is a prerequisite to participate in the PQS Level II – Technical course.

PQS II - QA/QC

Quality Control is key to success in the precast concrete industry. A well-executed Quality Control program can decrease errors, increase profits, improve safety and enhance employee morale. Learning how to build an effective Quality Control program, why it is important, and how to get top management to support it can immediately begin paying huge dividends for your plant. PQS Level II – Quality Control supports the NPCA Plant Certification program by assisting participants in developing and managing an effective plant Quality Control program based upon the NPCA Quality Control Manual. If your plant is an NPCA Certified Plant or looking to become one, this course is for you. Course topics include:

- Aggregate Gradations
- Water-Cement Ratio
- Aggregate Moisture
- Averages and Trends in Data
- Hot- and Cold-Weather Concrete
- Maturity Method
- Water Absorption
- Reinforcing

PQS III - Production Leadership

Solidify your skills with NPCA’s Production Leadership curriculum. Learn how to become a leader within the precast and prestressed concrete industry with instructors who not only understand the industry but also understand how to make good leaders great. Designed for individuals who have completed their core Level II coursework, Level III courses offer management and leadership training. Whether you are looking to hone your leadership skills or expand your career opportunities, the Level III Leadership coursework will help you reach the next stage of your career. The PQS III – Production Leadership curriculum will explore current leadership principles that will strengthen your management styles and leadership skills with traditional and cross-cultural workforces at precast concrete manufacturing facilities. Course topics include:

- What Leadership Is (And Is Not)
- Leading By Example
- Coaching
- Communication
- How to Hire and Train New Employees
- Resolving Conflict in the Plant
- Enforcing Company Policy
- Improving Employee Performance