Take advantage of these special two-day programs!
The PQS course offerings are as much about networking as they are about concrete fundamentals. Your course registration includes all meals on Day 1 of class, and breakfast and lunch during Day 2. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to meet with your course instructors and fellow classmates to discuss industry-related issues, successes and challenges.

Who should attend?
Whether you are a Quality Control Inspector or a production employee, NPCA's PQS course offerings provide valuable instruction for everyone who enrolls. Past attendees have included first-line supervisors, new engineers, upper-level managers and DOT employees, among others.

What is the PQS Level I Course?
NPCA's Production & Quality School (PQS) is a comprehensive, two-day program devoted to addressing the key fundamentals of quality precasting. Taught by veteran industry experts, the PQS Level I course covers each critical step of the concrete production process from start to finish.

Course participants will discuss:

• Batching and mixing - The fundamental components needed to ensure a durable, watertight and strong finished product
• Reinforcement - The role of reinforcement and its impact on handling and placement
• Production Practices - An overview of the entire production process from pre-pour to post-pour operations
• Quality Control - A discussion of the top priorities identified by QC Inspectors as well as the importance quality control processes play in your company's success

• Basic Mechanics - The fundamental aspects related to stress, strain and stiffness
• Basics of Design Theory for Concrete Elements - A discussion of the mechanical properties of concrete and steel, complete with demonstrations
• Proper Lifting of Concrete Elements - The essentials to prevent unexpected movements or failures
• Reading and Understanding Blueprints - An overview of the basics of blueprint reading and reinforcement as it relates to plans
• Standards - A discussion of the process used to determine specifications, the development of standards and the requirements to obtain them