AGC, Lean Construction Institute Launch Partnership

The first-ever lean construction education program will include the latest research and content thanks to an agreement between the Associated General Contractors of America and the Lean Construction Institute. Both groups will work together to create additional resources for contractors about lean construction.

“This agreement will connect our nationwide network of contractors with the Institute's unique expertise with and knowledge of lean construction,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “We will be able to offer more content to more contractors in more places working together than either organization ever could on its own.”

As part of the agreement, AGC will incorporate the extensive research, analysis and source materials compiled by LCI into the new AGC Lean Construction Education Program. The program, which is scheduled to be launched this winter, will ultimately include 16 separate courses and three levels of credentials, to be delivered in a combination of self-paced online, classroom and webinar settings.

“As an organization that stresses collaboration and transparency, we"re pleased to partner with AGC in delivering a collaborative curriculum to contractors and trades,” commented Dick Bayer, LCI's interim executive director. “We believe this provides an important first step for working with other leaders in our industry to drive lean construction and design principles into project delivery.”

In addition to providing content for the new curriculum, LCI also will have an active role in AGC's Lean Construction Forum, which brings together those with an interest in lean construction and creates learning opportunities, by providing staff and resources. The agreement also establishes a framework to allow the two organizations to work together to develop new educational materials, host workshops and provide other resources designed to help construction firms understand and use lean construction practices.

The agreement, which was negotiated during the summer, takes effect immediately and will last for at least three years. Visit www.agc.org.