Sponsoring an ICPI Installer Education Course - Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in sponsoring an ICPI Concrete Paver Installer course!  Below please find a list of frequently asked questions.  Hopefully this information will provide you with some insight on what sponsoring a course entails.

FAQs 

• How do I get started?

• What does the course entail?

• Where should I hold the course?

• Who can be an instructor?

• How can I find instructors?

• How much should I pay instructors?

• How do participants register for the course?

• How many people should be in the course?

• How much does the course cost?

• What kind of promotion will I need to do for the course?

• What kind of expenses will be involved?

• What materials will be needed?

• What happens after the course?

• Who should I contact if I have more questions?

• Where can I find Sponsor Agreement Forms?

• How do I get my program approved for ICPI Certified Installer Continuing Education?

 

 

How do I get started?

To begin the process of sponsoring a course, first you will need to decide who the contact person for the course will be.  Please only identify one person to be responsible for all aspects of the course, as this will keep ICPI members free of confusion. 

Second, you need to contact ICPI and provide the tentative dates, times, and locations for the course.  Please do this at least two months in advance of the course dates.

The ICPI will send a Sponsor Agreement form to the contact person, and once it is filled out and returned will open up online registration for the course.  Per ICPI’s statement of policy, a signed sponsorship agreement must be received a minimum of 45 days in advance.

 

What does the course entail?

The Concrete Paver Installer Course (Level I) requires two-full days, including breaks and lunches (allow 14-15 hours of instruction).  At the end of the second day of the course there will be a certification exam.

Hands on outdoor demonstrations of tools and compaction equipment during breaks or lunch periods, as well as density testing of soils and base materials by a local testing laboratory can add to the installer experience.  Contact local suppliers of equipment and services and ask if they can provide demonstrations.  Sometimes they can be free of charge.  Sponsors are responsible for arranging demonstrations.

 

Where should I hold the course?

Hold the course at a neutral location such as a hotel, school, or community college.  Holding the course at a manufacturing plant can be intimidating and is not recommended.

 

 

Who can be an instructor?

At least one ICPI Authorized Contractor Instructor who has met the requirements set by ICPI is required to conduct the course.  An assistant instructor, either a second ICPI Authorized Instructor or instructor assistant who holds a Record of Completion for the course and has a minimum of three years of industry field experience, may be provided by the sponsor.

 

How can I find instructors?

The ICPI education department can provide you with an up-to-date list of ICPI Authorized Instructors.  Send an email to us or call (703) 657-6900.

 

How much should I pay instructors?

The recommended flat fee for member-sponsored courses as set by the Executive Committee (contact the ICPI education departmnet for the current recommended fee).

 

How do participants register for the course?

Students should register for the course with ICPI.  Online registration is now available, and is preferred, but you may also distribute the paper registration form to potential participants, and add it to your website if applicable.  Full payment must be included in order for registration to be processed and confirmed by ICPI. 

Regis­tration deadlines should be stressed, but there may be walk-in registrations. The sponsor contact noted on the agreement is responsible for collecting any registration fees on-site. Payment from walk-in registrants must be guaran­teed to ICPI by the sponsoring member.  ICPI will not invoice for registration fees. Certificates will not be sent to attendees until ICPI receives payment.

 

How many people should be in the course?

It is recommended that a class be a minimum of 20 people, but must not exceed the maximum of 60 people.

 

How much does the course cost?

The participant registration fee is US $350, and ICPI members pay US $250.

 

What kind of promotion will I need to do for the course?

A key success factor is the sponsor’s promotion of the course.  This may include adding a link onto your company website for the course, including the course information in e-newsletters, sending out emails/mailings, etc.

 

What kind of expenses will be involved?

The sponsor is responsible for confirming pricing and arrangements with the instructors.  To assist you in this process, ICPI has set the following policies:

Course sponsors should pay all actual and reasonable business-related expenses incurred by instructors in the performance of their responsibilities. All such expenses incurred by an instructor must be approved by the sponsor before reimbursement will be made. All reimbursable travel expenses should be submitted on an ICPI instructor travel expense report form (available upon request) with receipts attached.

a.  Air Travel

Economy, coach class should be used.  When the travel itinerary is known well in advance, discount, non-refundable airfares should be purchased. Flights over $400 shall be pre-approved by the sponsor.  Time and expense should be considered when considering driving-versus-flying to destinations less than 150 miles.   

b.  Hotel

Hotel shall be booked by the sponsor of the school.  

c.  Car Rental

Before renting a car, the time and money savings of using hotel shuttle buses, taxis, or public transit should be considered.  Consult sponsor for possibility of pickup by their employees as an alternative option. Car size may be mid-sized or as required to accommodate luggage, packages, additional (member) passengers, etc. Refuel before returning whenever possible.

d.  Business Entertainment and Miscellaneous

Provide receipts for purchases over $5.00. Daily expenses for food should not exceed $60 per instructor excluding tax and tips. Tips should not exceed 15%. Entertainment is not permitted. Use of personal vehicle is reimbursed in U.S. at the current U.S. IRS rate per mile or in Canada at the Canadian revenue rate per kilometer.  

e.  Meeting Space

Other expenses to consider may include renting a meeting room with tables and chairs, and overhead projec­tor and screen, DVD/TV, donuts, coffee, lunches, instructors' fees and travel.  You would also be responsible for making the appropriate arrangements if someone was to specify special ADA requirements.   

f.  Rebate

To offset some of the expenses, ICPI will reimburse the sponsoring member US $100 for every student who pays the registration fee and attends the full length of the course.  Reimbursements are paid for first time attendees only.  A rebate is not provided for “No-shows” or those who are retaking the course. 

 

What materials will be needed?

ICPI will send student manuals to the sponsor several days prior to the start date of the course.  The sponsor is responsible for onsite distribution of manuals to registered and paid attendees. Please note that participants who are retaking the course should provide their own student manual.  If they do not bring one, they can purchase an additional manual for $30.   Any unused manuals that are not returned to ICPI will be deducted from the sponsoring company’s rebate check at a rate of $30 per manual.

In addition to student manuals, ICPI will send the sponsoring member company a list of participants, exams, evaluation forms and name badges with a few blank badges for walk-in registrations.  Also provided will be instructional materials, which must be returned to ICPI following the course.

Sponsors should provide the instructors with a variety of concrete paver samples and local aggregate.

The day after the conclusion of the course and exam, the sponsoring member must return all exam booklets, evaluations and completed Scantron exam forms to ICPI.  Detailed instructions will be provided with the shipment of course materials.

 

What happens after the course?

The ICPI will grade the exams and is­sue certificates by mail to stu­dents within 30 working days of receipt of the exams, provided full payment and registration forms are complete. Certificates apply to the individual, not his or her employer.  Once collected and tabulated, ICPI will send exam and evaluation reports to the sponsor contact and the instructors.

When the ICPI materials have been returned and all registration fees have been verified against signed applications, ICPI will issue a rebate check to the member sponsor. Due to ICPI’s accounting procedures, the rebate check can take 45 days or more after the course to be received by the sponsoring member.

 

Who should I contact if I have more questions?

For further questions please contact:

      Alison Sweetser, Education Coordinator – (703)-657-6900 ext. 229

                              or

      Jackie Conklin, Manager of Education – (703)-657-6900 ext. 205

 

Where can I find Sponsor Agreement Forms?

Download Sponsor Agreement forms here:

ICPI Concrete Paver Installer Sponsor Agreement Form

Commercial Paver Technician Course Sponsor Agreement Form

Residential Paver Technician Course

PICP Specialist Course Sponsor Agreement Form


Please be sure to contact ICPI for a current list of instructors.