[00:00:05] Speaker A: Welcome to the Clear Impact podcast brought to you by PGTI University. Thanks for joining us today. My name is Sherri Connor, and I am your host.
[00:00:18] Speaker B: Good morning. We are here on the Clear Impact podcast, and we are recording at Anlin Windows and doors in Clovis, California. And just Jeffrey Yvel is in here because he's in town for some training, which, how ironic is that? We're in town to talk about training and he's here doing a training. So I was like, jeff, you only have a nine hour day in front of you. Like, sure, you have another ten minutes you can spare for me. And you're so kind and agreed to come in. So also we have Patrick Jameson.
[00:00:46] Speaker C: Yep. Good morning.
[00:00:46] Speaker D: Good morning.
[00:00:47] Speaker B: Good morning. And so, Jeff, tell us a little bit about who you are, what you do, and maybe a little bit of your background.
[00:00:52] Speaker C: Yeah, well, I appreciate the opportunity. It's funny how we connected, but, yeah. So I've been in the industry for 23 years and with various manufacturers in the window and door industry, and. Well, why I'm here is I went through an installation master's class about 13 years into my career and became an instructor and kind of fell in love with the content. It was able to let us know about some industry practices that we otherwise didn't know was kind of trial by fire or monkey see, monkey do. I'm here today to basically have that training with the Allen folks and some dealers and some western folks.
[00:01:26] Speaker B: Nice. And so installation masters. So what does that look like?
[00:01:30] Speaker C: Yeah, so that was developed by AMA, and that has now since been combined into FGIA as we know it now. And that was basically designed so that we can have an industry standard of at least safe practices at the installation aspect of the industry. So, unfortunately, before that, everybody was just doing what they thought they can and did do. It was, hey, we're doing because that's how we were shown to do it. So this takes an approach where we've integrated the AMA platform, which incorporates a lot of manufacturers that have all their abilities to come together and create a standard practice.
[00:02:07] Speaker B: So we are really not included in that. Right. Florida is kind of its own area. So, Patrick, you know more about this than I do.
[00:02:15] Speaker D: So it's funny because I grew up learning Florida building codes and sitting in this class, learning how installation masters is based off the ICC and hearing what the ICC does compared to the Florida building code, it is different. I get so many people in class from out of state, up north, out west, and they know the ICC code and they're like, Florida does what Florida does this. It's like, yeah, you have to follow what Florida says does. This is what we've done for years, since the first edition of Florida building Code. So it's kind of interesting listening to Jeff talk about different things in this class. It's like, yeah, Florida doesn't have to worry about that. Or Florida does it differently for certain reasons.
[00:02:58] Speaker B: Yeah. So interesting.
[00:03:00] Speaker C: Yeah, it's kind of funny because in the actual training, we actually had a page that said that if you are installing in Florida, that you would need to make sure that you understand those building codes. And there could be portions, if not all, in this manual that wouldn't be necessarily anything acceptable in Florida. So it's actually funny.
[00:03:18] Speaker D: It's very true.
[00:03:19] Speaker C: Finally, after 13 years doing this, I actually have somebody from Florida, and it's interesting to see our different dynamics of whether you're in Florida or not in Florida.
[00:03:27] Speaker B: Well, we knew we were a special state, but, wow, I'm feeling like, okay, that's interesting. So you'll have two full days of training with this team, and then they have an assessment at the end. They have a big that they have to take, and then they get certified as an installer. Is that how it works?
[00:03:45] Speaker C: It is, yeah. So we'll have two days worth of lecture training via PowerPoint videos. We've got some table samples that go around. And, yeah, it's day number two. It's a closed book test, and we test you on that knowledge retainment. We have a pretty good success rate on our candidates that go through the training. So it's fun. And I think for the most part, it's nice to have these trainings because the participants can learn from each other, because oftentimes we raise our hand and give examples of how these teachings apply to what our real life situations are. So it's nice to see the class kind of self teach themselves as well.
[00:04:18] Speaker B: Yeah, Patrick does a lot of that where somebody will ask him a question and he'll flip it back out and like, how do you guys handle this? What do you think? And it's fun as an instructor to have that interaction.
[00:04:28] Speaker D: Oh, absolutely. And then discussing, like, what the best practices, what's the best approach to taking care of that situation? So there's so many different ways to do different things, but what is best practice?
[00:04:41] Speaker A: Be sure to tune in for upcoming episodes to help you understand the fenestration industry, what you need to know when buying windows and doors, and other related topics, you can find out more about
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[00:04:58] Speaker B: So they get a certification when they're done. And how long is that good for? What is the term for that?
[00:05:04] Speaker C: Yeah. So they'll receive a certification as an accredited. Well, now we actually changed it this year. We have a certified installer or an accredited professional. And so that would be someone who's maybe not an installer, but maybe has been in the industry, maybe holds a more executive or admin or office position, but can definitely use the accreditation and that's good for five years.
[00:05:25] Speaker B: Okay. And is there a cost associated with all of that?
[00:05:28] Speaker C: There are different price scales for a participant who's not going to take the test, not be accredited, which is still good. I encourage anyone to stay in the two day class. Whether you're being accredited or not, you'll always come back with some things to learn from. But yeah, there's a fee associated with it and that's sometimes subsidized by either our different branches in PGT or pass down. It just all depends on the audience. I mean, we're. We're getting people in the class all the way from architects to builders, to window installers, to sales reps to admin. Yeah, it's all different.
[00:05:57] Speaker B: And so how often do you conduct these?
[00:06:00] Speaker C: Well, COVID kind of messed everything up. So I only did minimum of two classes a year, but I think this year, going into 2024, I've already got, I believe, four to five already slotted.
[00:06:09] Speaker B: Oh, wow.
[00:06:10] Speaker C: So I'll keep those posted and then if we actually have a class of minimum 15 interested in doing it, then I'll fulfill that. But otherwise, most people don't really even know that class exists until I post them and then we try to fill those seats.
[00:06:23] Speaker B: And so you offer that training for western as well as Anlan?
[00:06:28] Speaker C: I do, yeah. So it would be offered to any PGT division.
[00:06:31] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:06:31] Speaker D: May I ask a question?
[00:06:32] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:06:33] Speaker D: How big is the demand? Where are certain states, certain jurisdictions requiring this certification?
[00:06:41] Speaker C: Yeah, that's interesting that you asked that. I think the most interest we have gotten and the most traction this program has received has been from the state of California. A lot of architects will write in to their scope that they would want an installation, master certified crew either installing it and or person overseeing the install.
[00:06:58] Speaker B: Right. Well, it's definitely something that's gonna set you apart from the competition.
[00:07:04] Speaker C: Absolutely.
[00:07:05] Speaker B: You know, if you have, as a homeowner, you know, I'm spending however much money on a new window and door package for my house. That's a major investment, I wanna make sure it's done right. So if I have a quote from one dealer that has somebody who's certified, and then another quote from somebody who didn't bother, like, even if it costs more, I think I would want to go with the person who's certified, the person who has the proper qualifications. So I think all of that training has value. And when you can put a stamp on it, a certification, even if it's, you know, when we have certifications for our products, so do they get into the details of the products, or is it just more general practices?
[00:07:46] Speaker C: We do. I mean, we go all the way from the hows and whys of the design of the product, the parts and pieces that associate with windows and doors. It really gives you kind of the why and the meaning behind it, other than just it exists. And I've always known that it's, you know, in the door or window, all the way to typical flashing types, integration into window components that help finish off the interior and exterior. We have a large section of safety, how to stay safe in the home. It's kind of all inclusive. It's all around. It's really designed for. Just about anybody in the industry can take something away. So I try to explain to people that even though it says installation masters, don't get so caught up in the installation side of it. Cause there's plenty you can learn from, and you probably have never even installed a window at all. And you'll learn from it. I mean, we get engineers that come into it that have takeaways.
[00:08:30] Speaker B: Nice. Well, we're the education team, so we're convinced that education is important and understanding all you can. Patrick. So did you learn some stuff?
[00:08:37] Speaker D: Absolutely. Like I said, it's just interesting seeing what the ICC does compared to the Florida building code, because that's what I've known for the last several years. Is FBC now learning what ICC enforces? Cause sometimes I get people ask me that question, it's like, I don't know, I have to go look into it, and then I'll follow up with them. Like, oh, yeah, this is what ICC says, but this is what Florida building code says. And depending on where you're at, you always have to go with that more strict, more enforced code.
[00:09:05] Speaker B: Right. And so I have a question for you, Jeff. Is Patrick a good student, or has he been giving you a hard time this morning?
[00:09:11] Speaker D: Lots of heckles.
[00:09:12] Speaker C: He's an excellent student.
[00:09:15] Speaker D: It's sure tough sitting there, though, I'll tell you the truth. It's like oh, let me go up there and let me do this with you side by side just to kind of talk about an experience. Like you said, I've seen this in Texas. I've seen this in Colorado. It's like, hey, I've seen that in Florida before. Let's talk about it.
[00:09:27] Speaker C: Right? He's drinking all the frappuccinos, so he's getting energized and having to sit. So I can tell that's a challenge.
[00:09:35] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:35] Speaker D: I don't have to drink those to get energized.
[00:09:37] Speaker B: Patrick doesn't teach a class without a coffee in his hand.
[00:09:40] Speaker C: Is that right?
[00:09:41] Speaker D: That's right.
[00:09:42] Speaker C: I think I need to go to one of yours.
[00:09:43] Speaker D: Mm hmm.
[00:09:43] Speaker B: That would be fun.
[00:09:44] Speaker C: That would be fun.
[00:09:45] Speaker B: All right. Is there anything else we should talk about?
[00:09:47] Speaker C: I mean, I guess just in closing is my assessment on the classes. I think this is a great opportunity for dealers to kind of take a look at maybe what their crew talent is and what they want to bring to market. If they've got individuals that they see investing in, this is a great class to put them through and to not only educate them so that it'll better smooth out some challenges they have in their own workforce, but also, you know, that's an opportunity. A lot of these guys walk away, and they're just thankful that they were able to be sent to the class and someone saw enough in them to invest in them. And knowledge is power, and I think we underestimate it sometimes. We get a lot of knowledge. We walk away feeling pretty good that someone thought that much into us to put us through a class. So it's good.
[00:10:27] Speaker B: Well, excellent. Well, I'm glad you enjoy it. I'm glad that you're here. We had no idea that you were going to be here doing this. So it was like, yay, the stars aligned. We're all together.
[00:10:35] Speaker C: It's kind of funny how it works out.
[00:10:37] Speaker B: Yeah. And I appreciate your time. I know you're on a lunch break, so we'll wrap this up, but appreciate getting to see you. We bumped into each other at western some time ago. It was fun because I didn't know anybody at western at all, had even heard of the podcast. And you and I met, and you were like, hey, you do the podcast? And I was like, oh, my gosh. Yeah, I do. That is me.
[00:10:56] Speaker C: So, yeah, I enjoy listening to them.
[00:10:58] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, I appreciate having a fan on the western side, so. And I'm glad you guys got to meet and hang out, and it's good stuff. That's awesome. All right, well, thanks, guys. Have a great afternoon.
[00:11:06] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:11:07] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:11:07] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:11:07] Speaker B: All right. Take care.
[00:11:09] Speaker E: PGTI University is the customer education team for an entire family of brands. We began with the original easy breeze porch enclosure line, became PGT Americas leading brand of impact resistant windows and doors. We then added CGI, CGIC, windoor, western window systems, new south windows, echo windows and doors, Anlan windows and doors, and our latest acquisition, Martin garage doors. We create products built to withstand major storms, keeping people safe, secure and prepared. Our exceptional brands give you the protection you need without compromising design or functionality. PGTI University is here to educate you, our listener, so that you can be a more informed consumer of window and door products.
