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The Benefit of
PDCA Accreditation
for the Commercial Contractor
My company achieved accredited status in November
of 2007. Sometimes when speaking with other PDCA
members who contract predominately in the commercial
marketplace, I have been asked what benefits PDCA
accreditation could possibly offer the commercial painting
contractor. I suppose I do understand this outlook, as many
feel that the curriculum is designed for and marketed primarily
to the residential painting contractor. While this may well have
been the case when Contractor College was first introduced,
I assure you that there are many courses appropriate for the
commercial contractor and their key employees. Today, there
are more courses for the commercial contractor available and
more are becoming available all the time.
“A Real Plus for My Commercial Painting
Company”
I’ve been told that certification addresses the person, while
accreditation addresses the group, or company. While I
can’t find any backup in the dictionary to support this view,
I can tell you that the “accreditation” format that PDCA has
employed within Contractor College has been a real plus for
my company. The process of taking classes online and testing
at the end of each module, allowed us to assign classes to the
key people within our organization who could gain the most
from each specific educational topic. For example, our office
manager/bookkeeper took the more advanced administration
and financial classes. Our estimators and project managers
took advantage of the sales and marketing offerings while our
field superintendents picked up additional knowledge in the
| pdca.org
by David Siegner
Siegner & Company
areas in which they focus. This is simply an excellent way to
inject knowledge and education into your painting company
in a way that benefits the individual while “accrediting” the
entire firm.
We all should recognize the importance of differentiating
ourselves from the competition. In my opinion, achieving
accredited status from the only national trade association
representing the interests of the professional painting
contractor is one of the most significant ways to do so. We’ve
found it to be an essential tool in the effort to successfully
sell knowledge, professionalism, quality and service over those
who have little to offer other than price. Quality customers –
the ones who promptly pay their bills -- appreciate knowledge
and quality, and want to deal with a contractor they can trust
their investment to time and time again. These customers
gravitate towards those who invest in education, are engaged
within their industry, and show in actions their appreciation
for achievement. I can tell you it has sure worked well for our
company!
While Contractor College and the Accreditation Program
are excellent examples of how to get the most from your
PDCA membership, best practices are at the core of what
our association is all about. What better venue to share best
practices for the commercial painting contractor than to
become a member of the PDCA Commercial Forum. Just point
your browser to www.pdcacommercialforum.org to learn more
about this dynamic forum and how commercial contractors can
profit from joining.
Need help with regulation compliance?
To find answers to specific regulatory questions and plan efficient and cost-effective environmental compliance, link to at the Paint and Coatings
Resource Center (PCRC): http://www.paintcenter.org/
Industry is bound by federal, state and local environmental regulations, some of which overlap. In addition, most companies have distinctive
facility or processes that complicate the process of complying with rules and making environmental improvements.
The PCRC has links to your state assistance program. Other tools include educational features, reference materials, calculators, searchable
databases, links and interactive resources.