The American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) serves Construction Estimators by providing education, fellowship, and opportunity for professional development. ASPE is the most powerful organization for Estimators in North America, with more than fifty chapters in the United States and Canada. The Society boasts a total membership of over 2,500, which also includes members from the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe. It is the leading industry promoter of ethical bidding practices, the certification of Estimators, developing estimating techniques and Estimator education.

In May of this year, Garden State Chapter 26 was made aware of the NJSBDC efforts to prequalify small, minority and women-owned construction related businesses to compete for State contracting opportunities through the joint efforts of Charles Jackson, Director, Dynamic Markets/Special Projects and Stephanie Burroughs, Director, Procurement. As part of their mission to train contractors in the skill of cost estimating they collaborated with NJSBDC to recruit participants for their 16-week training program. One of the unique features and benefits of the program is having construction industry professionals participate as instructors. Thirty-seven construction related businesses completed the 16-week course with a comprehensive overview of construction estimating which will better enable them to provide more competitive bids when pursuing contracting opportunities in the public and private sectors. As a result of taking the course, one of the women-owned companies was able to successfully complete a project that was in danger of not being completed, which could have resulted in a substantial financial loss. Based on information gained in the class she was able to complete the job and turn a potential loss into a profit.

Both Charles and Stephanie applaud Chapter 26 for their unselfish effort to make their constituents more competitive, and look forward to continuing and expanding the relationship. In the chapter’s view, “NJSBDC and Rutgers enhanced the partnership between Chapter 26, New Jersey Transit, and Essex County to launch this effort to level the playing field when it comes to small, minority and women-owned companies competing for construction contracting opportunities.”

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this program had a positive effect and the relationship between Chapter 26 and NJSBDC is a win-win for all.