AI For Contractors: 12-Month Mastery Program

Sponsored by the Northern California Chapter, NECA Member Services Committee

NorCal NECA will be hosting an ‘AI for Contractors: 12-Month Mastery Program’ during 2027.  This program will consist of 90-minute live training sessions, along with hands-on assignments and real-world application challenges.  An outline of the program can be found below.

About the Instructor:  Carl Britton, Jr. bridges the gap between hard hats and artificial intelligence.  With over 20 years of construction experience and 15 years in tech, Carl brings a rare combination of dirt-under-the-fingernails credibility and cutting-edge AI expertise that resonates with contractors who’ve never met a tech guru who could actually swing a hammer.  What sets his workshops apart is simple: AI nerds know AI, but Carl knows both construction AND AI. His hands-on, energetic approach makes complex technology accessible and immediately actionable.  Participants consistently rave about his ability to keep things “light and not too overwhelming” while delivering practical AI applications they hadn’t considered before.

 

Foundation Phase (Month 1-4): Building Confidence

Month 1:  AI Fundamentals for Construction Trades

  • Date:  Thursday, January 7, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Understand what AI actually means for construction companies
    • Identify simple tools you can implement immediately
    • See real-world examples from electrical, plumbing, mechanical and sheet metal
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Complete three AI-assisted tasks using tools introduced in the session and document time savings.

Month 3:  Microsoft Copilot Integration

  • Date:  Thursday, March 18, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Maximize your existing Microsoft 365 Investment
    • Apply copilot to estimating and communication tasks
    • Integrate AI with tools you already use daily
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Use Copilot to complete one estimating task and one communication task, comparing results to traditional methods.

Month 2:  Prompt Engineering Mastery

  • Date:  Thursday, February 4, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Learn how to communicate effectively with AI tools
    • Apply construction-specific prompting templates
    • Avoid common mistakes that waste time
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Create a library of 10 custom prompts for your specific role and test their effectiveness.

Month 4:  ChatGPT for Project Management

  • Date:  Thursday, April 15, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Apply AI to project planning and risk assessment
    • Improve team communication using AI assistance
    • Work through real project scenarios and solutions
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Create a project risk assessment and communication plan for a current or upcoming project using AI tools.

Application Phase (Months 5-8): Direct Business Impact

Month 5:  AI-Powered Estimating and Bidding

  • Date:  Thursday, May 6, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Speed up quantity takeoffs with greater accuracy
    • Conduct market research and competitive pricing analysis
    • Get AI assistance with proposal writing
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Complete an estimate using AI tools and compare accuracy and time to your standard process.

Month 7:  AI-Enhanced Customer Communication

  • Date:  Thursday, July 15, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Write professional proposals and emails faster
    • Develop client presentations with AI support
    • Use AI for relationship management
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Draft three client communications (proposal, follow-up email, presentation outline) using AI assistance.

Month 6:  AI for Safety Management and Compliance

  • Date:  Thursday, June 10, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Automate safety documentation processes
    • Use AI for incident analysis and prevention
    • Set up compliance tracking and reporting systems
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Create an AI-assisted safety briefing and compliance checklist for an active project.

Month 8:  Code Research and Technical Problem Solving

  • Date:  Thursday, August 19, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Quickly interpret and research building codes
    • Analyze technical specifications efficiently
    • Solve complex technical problems with AI assistance
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Research a code question and document a technical problem solution using AI tools.

Advanced Phase (Months 9-12): Competitive Advantage

Month 9:  Predictive Analytics for Equipment and Risk

  • Date:  Thursday, September 16, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Optimize equipment maintenance schedules
    • Predict and prevent project risks
    • Improve resource allocation decisions
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Create a predictive maintenance schedule or risk assessment model for your equipment or project portfolio.

Month 11:  Automation and Workflow Integration

  • Date:  Thursday, November 18, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Integrate AI with Procore, Bluebeam, and other industry software
    • Streamline data flow between systems
    • Eliminate manual data entry where possible
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Identify and implement one workflow automation that connects your existing software tools.

Month 10:  Building Custom AI Solutions

  • Date:  Thursday, October 14, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Build company-specific AI assistants
    • Automate administrative processes
    • Create custom calculators and tools for your business
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Design and build one custom AI solution specific to your company’s needs.

Month 12:  Future-Proofing and ROI Measurement

  • Date:  Thursday, December 16, 2027
  • Time:  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Measure and track your AI implementation success
    • Plan for emerging technologies
    • Scale successful implementations across your organization
  • Hands-On Assignment:  Complete a full ROI analysis of your AI implementations and create a 12-month forward plan.