Recipient: Nocti Business Solutions, Inc.
Grant: $19,500 plus travel expenses for subject matter experts
Completion: 2021
Project Summary: 21
Background and Need
In 1995, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute debuted a two-day certificate course for installers of interlocking concrete pavement. Since that time over 30,000 installers and industry-related personnel have taken the course. The course and certification process has passed through several versions and refinements. At this writing, about 2,500 installers maintain certification where ICPI certifies installation experience as well as passing the course.
In 1999, the U.S. Department of Labor, Division of Labor Statistics recognized paver installation as in its system of Standard Occupational Classification as SOC Code 47-4091 – Segmental Pavers. This occupation is defined as workers who “lay out, cut, and place segmental paving units. Includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units.” This classification initiated ongoing collection of employment and wage data for those who install concrete, clay, and stone pavements. Moreover, the United States government recognized this work as a distinct construction occupation trade.
Unlike other construction trades, there is no nationally recognized apprenticeship curriculum for paver installers beyond the ICPI installer certification program. This lack pointed to the need to review and refine the existing ICPI program by applying nationally recognized standards and methods used by other trades apprenticeship programs in defining the knowledge and skills required to install segmental concrete pavements. The skills required are unique to unit paving and do not relate to masonry wall or cast-in-place concrete pavement construction.