Education Guide

At MCAA, we pledge to deliver the highest quality educational resources, best-in-class networking, labor relations, and legislative advocacy with unmatched member benefits.

We’ll be your trusted guide and voice in the ever-evolving mechanical contracting industry, helping you navigate change and embrace new opportunities with confidence. 

What you can gain from MCAA education includes: 

• Developing or honing your leadership abilities 
• Learning new business growth strategies 
• Exploring new building technology applications 
• Acquiring credentials to compete in the sustainable building market 
• Gaining new service skills 
• Arranging for project management education and training for your staff 

We have an educational program that will meet any of your needs. Plus, our signature conferences offer an array of seminars and workshops covering relevant topics in an inviting, relaxed environment that promotes social interaction and networking.

VIEW OUR UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS & CONFERENCES

GROW YOUR REACH

Explore additional ways to build relationships with contractors throughout the year. MCAA members can access our Sponsorship Prospectus, which details opportunities to support the industry through events, education, advertising, student programs, and strategic giving.

[DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS https://www.mcaa.org/wp-content/uploads/_pda/2025/09/MCAA_Sponsorship_Prospectus.pdf]

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Our Training & Education deliver a comprehensive learning experience tailored to every stage of professional growth across the mechanical contracting industry. From field leadership and project management to executive development and service operations, our programs are designed to build confidence, sharpen skills, and elevate performance.

• Leadership Education
  The Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI), in partnership with UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, is our flagship executive education experience. It equips senior leaders with the tools to drive innovation, lead change, and shape organizational strategy.

[LINK TO https://docs.google.com/document/d/169ET7647y18yT3i55faQOV4tyNZeYOildik343talR0/edit?usp=sharing]

• Field Leadership Education
  Begin with the Foundations of Field Leadership (FFL), an online course for new and aspiring leaders, and grow through the Field Leaders Conference (FLC), a transformative in-person conference. For service-focused roles, Developing Service Supervisors offers targeted training. 

[LINK TO https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ca9nNAui0GivrDmspQJr35wOl9FZZ93GY9_44mqguP0/edit?usp=sharing]

• Project Management Education
  A three-tiered pathway starting with the Preparatory Institute for Project Management (PIPM), advancing through the Institute for Project Management (IPM), and culminating in the Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM). Each course builds on the last to develop well-rounded, strategic project leaders.

[LINK TO https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V6g5eWXKEOXCZXf8Pn6Xl4_AEkUXI8VuVvPfz3n4YYM/edit?usp=sharing]

• Service Education
  From Field Service Supervisors Training to Service Dispatcher Training, Service Managers Training, and Service Sales Basecamp, these programs develop high-performing teams across service operations, each tailored to specific roles and challenges.

[LINK TO https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w4FNgLItJEn-xoakRr61twB6aDr93PAs8IGTH1SQl5g/edit?usp=sharing]

• Local Association Education
  Designed for association executives, these include the Best Practices Review (BPR) for operational alignment, the Technology Review for optimizing tools and systems, and the yearlong Executive Leadership Initiative (ELI) covering association management, labor relations, and negotiations.

[LINK TO https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QSKx4v3xZ4B2BQjFL4hJAEiVJtJIlBCPlsNY8nKR64w/edit?usp=sharing]

• National Education Institute
  Our commitment to lifelong learning is anchored by the National Education Institute, which brings high-quality training directly to local chapters and member companies, ensuring accessible, impactful education across the country.

[LINK TO https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bQDED_s1QJXuriUmnLizZUTa6NHpGhpO3HOvUP0vpvE/edit?usp=sharing]

Field Leadership Programs

We offer a structured pathway for developing strong, capable leaders in the field. It begins with the Foundations of Field Leadership (FFL), an all-online course tailored for new and aspiring field leaders with 0–2 years of experience, including journeymen and apprentices interested in leadership roles. This program introduces the essentials of crew management, productivity, and onsite safety, laying the groundwork for effective leadership.

Building on that foundation, the Field Leaders Conference (FLC) provides a transformative experience designed to elevate a field leader’s vision, perspective, and performance. Held twice a year, this immersive event is a strategic investment in leadership growth. For those focused on service leadership, the track also includes MSCA’s Developing Service Supervisors, a targeted 2-day program that hones the skills needed for service-oriented field roles.

Together, these offerings form a cohesive development track that equips field leaders with the tools, mindset, and confidence to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Project Management Programs

We offer a comprehensive project management track composed of three progressive courses tailored to different experience levels. The Preparatory Institute for Project Management (PIPM) is designed for individuals with 0–3 years of experience, providing foundational knowledge through a 12-week online program featuring live weekly lectures led by active mechanical contractor instructors. For those with 3–5 years of experience, the Institute for Project Management (IPM) delivers two weeks of immersive, hands-on learning in Austin, TX, facilitated by volunteer contractors and instructors, fostering peer connections and practical skills. Finally, the Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) targets senior project managers and operations managers with 8+ years of experience, offering a one-week intensive program in Austin that focuses on managing teams and overseeing multiple large-scale projects. Together, these three courses form a structured and complete educational pathway that equips professionals with the skills and insights needed to excel at every stage of their project management careers.

Leadership Programs

Elevate your leadership at MCAA’s premier executive education experience. In partnership with UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) delivers a transformative curriculum tailored for senior leaders in the mechanical contracting industry. Through immersive learning, peer collaboration, and expert coaching, participants gain strategic insight into innovation, organizational change, and personal leadership style. ALI is where management evolves into visionary leadership—preparing executives to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Button to > https://www.mcaa.org/advanced-leadership-institute-2023/

Service Programs

Our service training programs equip dispatchers and service coordinators, service managers, field supervisors, technicians, and sales personnel with the skills they need to lead teams, improve performance, and enhance customer relationships. Each course blends practical instruction with real-world application roles within service operations.
Together, these programs form a cohesive service education track that empowers professionals at every level to lead, communicate, and sell with confidence and clarity.

• Field Service Supervisors Training
• Service Dispatcher Training
• Service Managers Training
• Service Sales Basecamp

Button to a page with descriptions of each and target audiences: 

Association Executive Programs

The education department’s Association Executive Programs are designed to strengthen leadership, operational excellence, and strategic insight for association professionals. The Best Practices Review (BPR) provides a comprehensive evaluation of current operations, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment with industry standards and organizational goals. The Technology Review focuses on assessing the tools, equipment, and software in use—helping associations optimize their tech stack for efficiency and impact. Rounding out the track, the Executive Leadership Initiative (ELI) is a yearlong immersive program covering essential topics like association management, labor relations, and negotiations, equipping executives with the knowledge and confidence to lead with clarity and purpose.

National Education Institute

The National Education Institute (NEI) represents our best programs brought to our local associations or member companies. Our goal is to provide ongoing and advanced education and training in support of individual and company growth in the mechanical contracting industry with over 100+ in-person or virtual offerings from 16 premiere instructors.

Link to >