What you will learn:

• Professional templating methods
• Professional forming methods
• Mold making for countertops and integral sinks
• Sink and faucet layout
• How to construct a casting table
• Reinforcing of both simple and complex shapes, including large sink holes, curves, and cantilevers
• Principles of concrete countertop mix design
• Engineered precast mix formula that achieves compressive strengths of over 4000 PSI in 1 day
• The from-scratch formula and calculator for a simple, 100% successful, properly engineered, GFRC mix
• How to use GFRC to create solid, variegated (hand-pressed), and exposed aggregate looks
• How to spray mist coat correctly for the best finish
• How to apply backer coat correctly for the strongest concrete
• When to use scrim for extra strength
• How to foam core GFRC to reduce weight and increase strength even more
• Grinding and polishing GFRC
• How to seal GFRC
• Work with both CSA cement and portland cement
• How to cast and cure, and what concrete is actually doing when it cures
• How to grind, hone and polish
• Grout formula
• Detailed information about sealer chemistries, from acrylic to urethane, and how to apply professional-grade, stain-proof sealer
• How to transport slabs to the job site
• How to achieve the perfect installation, including undermount sinks
• Use the professional-grade materials and tools you really need, in a model concrete countertop shop
• Business topics: The most effective marketing techniques, how to price, systems to increase profitability, how to build a website and use social media, and more. You will receive a complete package of every business form you need, including a contract, brochure, specifications, estimating spreadsheet, quality checklists and more.

What you will receive:

• Precast and GFRC from-scratch mix calculators
• Detailed instruction manual on precast concrete countertop manufacturing
• Detailed instruction manual on GFRC concrete countertop manufacturing
• Comprehensive guide to marketing and selling concrete countertops, plus a contract, estimating spreadsheet, brochure, architectural specifications and more
• A project management course that includes quality checklists and procedures for managing multiple projects, resulting in fewer mistakes and higher profits
• Over 400 pages in all of extensive reference materials, plus 2 hours of live action videos on GFRC and almost 8 hours of online seminars
• A diploma
• Lifetime, unlimited support from instructors via phone and email.
• Lifetime membership in The Concrete Countertop Institute

Will this really make me successful, with just 5 days of training?

Yes, if you go home and work hard and apply what you learned. And take advantage of our 100% dedicated, lifetime support.

But don’t take our word for it, look at the CCI Alumni Success Stories. When you become a CCI Alumnus, you have far more than training –  you have a life-long network of supportive colleagues.

Do I get to take anything home?

Yes! If you drive to class, take home one of the class projects! (We will draw names if we have more drivers than class projects.) We don’t sell our class projects, they become part of YOUR portfolio.

When you’re considering professional training ask yourself, “Where’s the proof that this training works?”

• Is the instructor a good teacher? Can I see examples of his teaching style? Check out Jeff’s style.
• Am I learning fundamental knowledge that I can build on for years to come? Will I learn not just how, but why?
• What level of reference materials and support will I receive? Can I pick up the phone and call the instructor personally any time, or is he too busy with his own business to care about mine?
• Are alumni running successful businesses? Ours do. If you’re considering any other training program, ask yourself where are the successful alumni of this program? Is this company focused on themselves or on me?

At CCI, we are 100% dedicated to building your knowledge, your confidence, and your success. And we’re really good at it! But don’t take our word for it. Look at the success stories of our alumni. THAT’s the proof that a training program actually works.

And in fact, you will witness this firsthand at the Feb 24-27, 2020 class, held at the working shop of a CCI Alumnus!

Why should I take this class rather than some other concrete countertop class?

CCI training is the only program that:

– Teaches not just how, but why.

• You will truly understand, not just follow someone else’s technique blindly. There is a difference between truly understanding concrete based on real technical knowledge and merely knowing how to work with concrete based on experience.

– Offers 100% dedicated, lifetime support post-class.

• We are not too busy running our own creative concrete business to help you. We focus 100% on helping our alumni, day in and day out. And our alumni help each other too.

– Includes extensive documentation and turn-key systems for running your business.

• You will leave class with hundreds of pages of both technical and business documentation and systems, including exactly how to market and sell creative concrete. You’ll get a contract, sales scripts, pricing worksheet, quality checklists, and much more.

– Has PROOF that this program works, demonstrated by our successful alumni.

• Our focus is 100% on our alumni, not on ourselves.

We are here to build your knowledge, your confidence, and your success.

It’s all we do, day in and day out, year in and year out. We have the perspective of the entire community of CCI alumni all over the world, and we know exactly what works and what doesn’t, proven over and over.

When you train with CCI, you join a community that cares about YOU and your success.

What are some more reasons to train with CCI?

1. You will learn fundamental knowledge and a true understanding of not just how, but why.

GFRC is a highly specialized material with decades of research that show it requires certain fundamental ingredients and construction techniques in order to perform as expected. When done right, GFRC is extremely strong, flexible (literally) and durable.

When you understand not just how, but why, you will have 100% confidence in your GFRC made with these techniques – after all, those who construct massive building panels have relied on them for decades.

Engineers make things only as complicated as they need to be so that the building or bridge doesn’t fall down. Be certain your GFRC creations won’t fail by relying on sound engineering principles. The laws of physics don’t change, so that’s why our information doesn’t change with the seasons.

2. You will make a sound investment of your money.

There are cheap classes out there. There is only one reason a vendor would offer free/cheap hands-on training, and that is to sell product. We prefer to price our training based on its value, making it a sound investment for professionals interested in long-term good business practices.

There are also expensive classes that emphasize fabric forming. The value of learning the fundamentals of GFRC, of truly understanding not just how but why, is far greater than the value of spending a day and a half sanding a fabric formed mold. Fabric forming is just one tool in your toolbox. It won’t make you successful. Fundamental technical understanding will.

But don’t take our word for it. CCI alumni have proved over and over that CCI training WORKS. As Jeff says, “I don’t need to brag about my own accomplishments, when so many of my alumni all over the world have used CCI training to build a foundation that made them successful.” That’s the real proof that training is worthwhile. See the proof here.

3. Practical considerations of the ease of travel, plus the class experience.

Consider also when choosing a class, the ease of travel to the friendly and fun town of Raleigh, NC. Our shop and the recommended hotel in downtown Raleigh are located an easy 20-minute drive or $40 cab ride from the airport. Experience a fun town with a vibrant downtown scene. In downtown Raleigh there are 90 bars and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. Click here for more information about accommodations and things to do in Raleigh.

Our London, ON location, at the working shop of CCI Alumnus Brett Carragher of Exclusive Concrete, is also convenient to travel to, with a local airport, and has a wide selection of dining and entertainment options.

Our new location at the working shop of CCI Alumnus Caleb Lawson of Price Concrete Studio is in Orlando, FL! Enough said!

When and where is this class offered?

The Ultimate Creative Concrete Training class is offered approximately quarterly. The next dates are February 24-28, 2020 in Orlando, FL, at the working shop of CCI Alumnus Caleb Lawson of Price Concrete Studio.

How much does it cost?

$4235 ($2500 for CCI alumni.) Click here to register.

Breakfast, hot lunch and all class materials (textbook, mix calculator, videos and more) are included, plus all the benefits listed above.

Stay tuned for hotel recommendations near the Orlando shop location.

What’s the class size?

The Ultimate class is limited to 15 students. Update: This class filled up, and due to demand and the fact that we have 2 instructors and a large shop space, we added 5 more seats for a total of 20.

Who should take this class?

This class is for people serious about starting and succeeding in a business creating countertops, sinks, furniture, fire pits and more with concrete. You do not need prior concrete experience, but you do need to be very handy and capable of professional level crafts such as carpentry, tile work, home building, etc. This class is not for do-it-yourselfers. Consider the Level 1 self-study course instead.

How do I sign up?

Click here to register for the next class.