
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.
Check the Status of Our Current Offerings Below. If you have any questions, please contact events@mcaa.org for additional information.
Field Leaders Education Programs
Foundations of Field Leadership

- Online program for new or aspiring field leaders.
- 8-week course made up of live lectures, short assignments, quizzes, and video segments.
- An overview of concepts and practices essential to running a successful mechanical jobsite.
Course Overview
CURRICULUM
The FFL is taught by senior field leaders with extensive experience running mechanical jobs. The curriculum is built from the input of 42 mechanical field leaders from MCAA member companies across the country. The topics covered in this course were identified by these experts as being the most important things for new field leaders to learn. Each lecture is a combination of best practices, lessons learned, and tips and tricks. Upon completion of all course requirements (weekly lecture attendance, video assignments, and quizzes), participants will receive an MCAA Foundations of Field Leadership diploma.
Topics discussed include:
- The Field Leader’s Role
- Planning & Scheduling
- Documentation & Communication
- Productivity & Goal Setting
- Relationships
- Safety & Compliance
- Technology As A Tool
- Leadership
AUDIENCE
- Field leaders who have relatively little (0-2 years) experience running work.
- Anyone who has been identified as a potential future field leader.
- Journeyworkers and apprentices interested in becoming field leaders.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
An FFL course is 8 weeks long and each lecture is 90 minutes long. Lectures take place once a week, always on the same day of the week via Zoom. Participants are required to show up on time to lecture and participate, including the polls and short-answer chat questions. This includes 15 minutes for participants to put down their tools, leave their worksite, and log in via their laptop/tablet in a quiet place. Lecture begins 15min. after the hour. Participants need access to a computer/tablet with a web browser and internet connection strong enough for video streaming.
We understand that due to the nature of jobsite work, participants may not be able to make it to all 8 live lectures. Participants may watch lecture recordings of up to two of the eight lectures, provided they attend a minimum of 6 live lectures.
Watch a weekly video clip and answer a few short questions about it. Participants must complete all eight weekly quizzes by their deadline.
On-time completion of all requirements is required for participants to receive an FFL Diploma
REGISTRATION
- Registration is done via the calendar of events.
- Registration is first-come, first-served.
- There is no limit on the number of participants a company may enroll.
- Registration requires the support of their MCAA contractor, and consent from their direct supervisor to step away for 90 minutes each week.
- The course cost of $900 per student, is to be paid during the online registration process.
- Refunds will not be issued after the first day of class, nor for partial completion of the program.
Field Leaders Conference

Developing the Leaders Who Build Our Industry.
- The Field Leaders Conference is a three-day, in-person program designed to elevate field professionals by strengthening the leadership, communication, and strategic skills essential for jobsite success.
- It is the place where field leaders discover their importance and value — not only as skilled tradespeople, but as professionals and key members of the management team.
Course Overview
Leadership & Professional Growth
The conference helps field leaders:
- View themselves as respected professionals
- Understand why their performance impacts the bottom line
- Recognize why customer relationships matter and their role as the “face of the company”
- Establish tangible goals to guide their work and leadership
- Learn how to work smarter, not harder, through improved planning and communication
- Understand what it means to be an exceptional foreman
- Build the confidence and skills needed to lead teams effectively
Communication & Jobsite Effectiveness
Participants gain tools for:
- Navigating crucial jobsite conversations
- Motivating and guiding crews
- Problem-solving using real-world field scenarios
- Improving communication across teams and departments
- Strengthening relationships with customers, coworkers, and leadership
What Attendees Take Back With Them
Attendees return to their companies with:
- Real-life tips and tools to immediately improve jobsite performance
- Techniques for handling difficult conversations with clarity and confidence
- A personalized action-item list to put their new knowledge into practice
- Updated insights into tools, technology, and construction resources
- A growing network of peer leaders from across the country
- Renewed motivation, purpose, and leadership energy to excel at work and in life
FEATURED EVENT
2026 NCPWB Technical Conference
April 26-29, 2026
San Antonio, TX
Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the forefront of welding technology! Join us at the NCPWB Technical Conference!

