Taught In English, Mandarin
Building on the success of its Home Improvement Contractor Training (HICT) program launched in the winter, the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) will once again offer the initiative this fall in both English and Mandarin.
As described, the original HICT initiative offered existing and aspiring home improvement contractors courses in Mandarin. More than 100 participated and completed the HICT, then passed the city Department of Consumer Affairs examination to obtain city licenses to work legally in the construction industry.
A preview class for the new English HICT will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the JFK Corporate Square Marketing Center, located at 93-43 Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica. Additional English HICT classes will take place on three consecutive
Saturdays, Sept. 8, 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the same location.
A preview class for the Mandarin HICT will take place on Thursday, Aug. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Compu21, located at 39-07 Prince St., Suite 2C in Flushing. Additional Mandarin HICT classes will run on three consecutive Sundays, Sept. 9, 16 and 23, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Compu21.
Day 1 will include permits and licensing, the dos and don’ts of operating a business, operating a business professionally and city home improvement business law.
The second day of courses will focus on doing business as a contractor, advertising and selling practices, contracts with clients and will feature a guest speaker (a general contractor).
Day 3 will deal with contractors protecting themselves and their businesses, legal responsibilities, test day preparation and a guest speaker (a certified public accountant).
Both HICT programs cost $200, but if a participant does all the required work and has excellent attendance- yet does not pass the DCA exam-he/she can take the class again for free.
There is a 20-student limit per class, and the previous sessions were filled to capacity. The QEDC advises interested students to enroll as soon as possible.
For more information, call Nicholas Hardie at 1-516-366-9674; he speaks both English and Mandarin.
The HICT programs are supported by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Flushing Bank, Deutsche Bank and Crystal Windows.
