MT. VERNON, IA (Feb. 27, 2008) - The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) - a non-profit international organization that serves to expand and improve the use of site-cast Tilt-Up as the preferred construction method - has announced several regional certification events.

The joint TCA/American Concrete Institute (ACI) certification program, developed through ACI's C-650 Committee, was created in response to the rapid growth the construction method had experienced to provide measurable quality assurance. There have been more than 1,000 certifications issued since the program's inception. The five-year anniversary of the first certification issued by ACI was in 2006. As such, there are not only an increasing number of contractors seeking their initial certification, but a significant group of individuals who need to be re-certified.

TCA will offer the certification seminar as a final preparation tool for those seeking Tilt-Up certification. This training seminar covers all areas in which a Tilt-Up supervisor is expected to knowledgeable including: safety, plan reading, site preparation, scheduling, foundations, slabs on grade, layout, forming, placement, erection, structural systems and concrete properties.

TCA has developed the following schedule for additional opportunities for the seminar and exam:

• Phoenix, Ariz. (March 11)
• San Antonio, Texas (June 6)
• Mount Vernon, Iowa (June 20)
• Mount Vernon, Iowa (September 12)
• Phoenix, Ariz. (October 1) - this offering is part of the TCA Annual Convention
• Mount Vernon, Iowa (December 12)

In addition, a Florida certification event is currently being planned for the fall.

The updated dates and times will be available on the TCA website (www.tilt-up.org), found under the "Calendar of Events" area. Each event will be available at a rate of $155 for TCA members and $225 for non-members to include both the seminar and the exam. You do not need to attend the seminar as a requirement to sit for the exam but no discount is applied. In addition, a certification study manual is available for purchase ahead of your exam date for $59 (+ S/H) per manual.