"The Value of an Education; an NAHB Education"

To conclude our "NAHB Value" series of articles, we have as our special guest blogger Dianne Beaton, CGA, CAPS, our NAHB Associate Members Committee Chairman. This week Dianne will highlight the value of an NAHB Education.

"Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats. 

I know quite a few industry professionals, from around the country, and it seems to me that those who have decided to learn more about their industry are successful. The National Association of Home Builders offers to members, and non-members courses that can elevate industry professionals to industry leaders. These courses can be quite an advantage and collectively they will bring you coveted NAHB designations. Offered through NAHB Education (clickhere for more information)  there are multiple designations to choose from, such as the Certified Graduate Associate, designed to help the associate member understand the builders' business, with the Basics of Building course as an example,  so that the associate can be an asset to his or her customers. There are courses designed for builder members to achieve the Certified Graduate Builder. There are courses that have been designed for the remodeling professional Certified Graduate Remodeler designation. In addition, there are courses for green building, aging in place, sales & marketing of new homes, to name a few. With additional courses, these will help to further your knowledge of each designation and strengthen the designations' worth.

How does this bring you value? On a personal level it separates you from having a job and enjoying a career! The more you know and understand about our industry the more you will gain. As a marketing tool for associates, your designation(s) separates you from your competitors as an expert and certified by NAHB. When consulting, selling product or service, through your discussions with your customer, you could proudly offer what your designations stand for and the education that came with the certification. As a builder, or remodeler, your designation could be marketed as a "good housekeeping seal of approval." When selling homes or remodeling projects, a new home or improvement prospect will feel more at ease with you because of your certification.”  Whatever your career description is, there are courses designed just for you and designations geared towards elevating you above your competition.

I have the honor of chairing the NAHB Associate Members Committee for 2012 and one of our sub-committees, Training and Designations, has a core purpose of promoting NAHB Education and making sure our members back at our home local HBAs understand the value of an NAHB education. There is no substitute for continuing education. It sharpens your mind, develops other avenues to market you and your company and you won't find it anywhere but in the "halls of NAHB."

Note: Your local HBA may have the availability of offering courses. If not, a neighboring local probably will.

If all else fails, contact  NAHB Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154 or via email at designations@nahb.org.  and ask if the course(s) are offered through webinar.

Submitted by:
Dianne Beaton, CGA, CAPS
2012 NAHB Associate Members Committee Chairman