Contractors State License Services (CSLS) has introduced a new Solar PV Technical Sales Course intended to teach the skills necessary to work as a salesperson in the growing solar industry. This course covers important sales skills combined with the technical information that are specific to a solar sales position. The course includes a comprehensive curriculum covering; mining for prospective customers, evaluating the needs of a PV System customer, the technicalities of site analysis and system selection, concept design, performance estimates, economic analysis, financial concepts, proposal formation and building a working relationship with your customers. Robert Srinivas the Regional Green Technology Training Manager at CSLS developed this program to help people in construction or sales related fields transfer their skills to this broadening industry. The first class was held at the CSLS Orange location on October 8th and 9th, 2011. Initial response to the class was very positive. Willy Littlefield, course participant shared âRob had a passion and depth of understanding in solar. I asked many challenging questions and all of my questions were answered fullyâ. Classes are planned to be held at Contractors State License School locations throughout California. For details on the course schedule interested contractors and sales professionals can contact the corporate offices at Contractor State License Services 800-331-4691.
Category Archives: Company News
Contractors State License Services hosts Open House statewide in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.contractorslicensingschools.com/
 Contractors State License Services hosts Open House statewide in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction.
 Contractors State License Services (CSLS) will be hosting an open house at all school locations throughout California on April 29th, 2011 in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction. A variety of speakers and vendors offering construction related information; green products and construction business services are scheduled at 20 plus locations throughout the state. CSLS and strategic partners are working together to educate Contractors and Construction workers on available services and products that can help them take advantage of value-added green offerings that they can integrate into their construction business. âGreen construction starts with getting your contractorâs license so assisting students and graduates to get connected in this growing part of the industry is a wonderful opportunity for Contractorsâ, says David Mizener, CSLS CEO.
At many of the Contractors State License Services school locations Green industry experts, speakers and vendors will participate including American Home Inspection Training (AHIT), Home Depot, HD Supply, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Global HVAC/Ruud, Lowes, Harbor Freight Tools, Jem Industrial Coatings, CBIA Insurance Services, Ewaste Recycler, Contractor Manager, Deep Blue Pool Service, Corp 911 and Solar Seminars.
For this event topics of discussion will cover Zero VOC Paint products, Green insulation, Energy Audit Training, Solar Installation, Sustainable building, Energy Tax Rebates for consumers, Energy efficient appliances, Tankless water heaters, Greenscaping including native landscaping, and much more. Â CSLS will also present information on the recently required EPA-Renovation, Repair and Painting certification. Promotions, giveaways and special offers will also be part of this statewide event. Schedules and presenters vary by location. For details on individual school events interested contractors can contact the corporate offices at Contractor State License Services 800-331-4691.
  About CSLS (http://contractorslicensingschools.com/) @contractorslic #Contractors#License
Contractors State License Services (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction professional. For over 25 years, CSLS has helped its students pass the exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California, licensing more students than any other school. In fact, 1 in 3 applicants to the California State Licensing Board (CSLB) have used CSLS to successfully pass the exam. Contractors State License Services offers licensing classes for all types of contractor licenses, including: General Engineering Contractor | General Building Contractor | Specialty Contractor | Insulation and Acoustical Contractor | Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor | Concrete Contractor | Drywall Contractor | Electrical Contractor | Elevator Contractor | Landscaping Contractor | Warm-Air Heating | Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor, and many others. Contractors State License Services also provides CSLS Contractors with Business Development Services to assist in every aspect of sustaining a strong Construction Business. These include Bonds, Corporation Services, DBAâs, Application Processing, Fingerprint Services, Home Inspection training courses, BPI Energy Audit training courses, NAPCEP Solar PV Photovoltaic Installer training courses, Locksmithing training courses, and Insurance Services.
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Contractors State License Services (CSLS) introduces home inspection training course, BPI Energy Audit training course, NAPCEP Solar PV Photovoltaic Installer training course, and Locksmithing training course.
VAN NUYS, March 08, 2011â Contractors State License Services adds Home Industry training classes its course offerings for the Spring semester.
Students can elect to be trained in one or all of these in-demand professions. Home inspectors earn an average of $76,000* per year. The average inspection takes two to three hours. Energy Auditors are used to establish Home Efficiency and can earn an average of $58,257** per year. Solar PV Photovoltaic installers make an average of $61,000* per year. Demand for Locksmiths is projected to increase by 25% in the next 4 years*.
 These courses will provide a great experience for anyone who has an interest in homes and has an eye for detail.Â
 
This first-time offering was created in partnership with American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT), a national leader in home industry training and based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. AHIT is the largest provider of professional home industry training in North America and has been training for over 15 years.   The class can be taken online or in a traditional classroom setting. Tuition costs include course materials and tips on how to start your own home industry business.
* Department of Labor Statistics  **Matchcollege.com
CARLSBAD: Kelly Elementary hero construction workers get scholarships
Kelly Construction workers receiving information on CSLS Programs
Five men working at Kelly during shooting to get $1,000 for classes
By STACY BRANDT – [email protected] | Posted: Saturday, January 8, 2011 6:00 am
The construction workers who tackled a gunman at Kelly Elementary School in October will be able to further their own education soon with some help from a statewide contractors training program.
Contractors State License Services, a private vocational school, has offered the men —- Mario Contreras, Steven Kane, Carlos Partida, Toby Wiest and Edward Dominguez —- free tuition and materials for one of its courses, up to $1,000.
Most of the men said they want to study to get a state contractors license and the scholarship would cover the cost of that course, or another course offered by the school.
The men, who work for San Diego-based Randall Construction, said the offer was appreciated, especially because they haven’t had steady work since the job at Kelly Elementary ended in October. Becoming licensed contractors will help them get more work or branch out on their own, they said.
The class to prepare them for taking the contractors test can take anywhere from six weeks to four months to finish, depending on how quickly they do the work.
In the end, the school will help them get their license, set up a business name and help process paperwork, said Alex Avelar, state license consultant for the Van Nuys-based school.
The five men were pouring concrete at the school the day 41-year-old Brendan O’Rourke allegedly opened fire on children in the playground. Contreras and Kane chased after the gunman on foot while Partida clipped him with his truck.
Kane returned to work the same day with Dominguez and Wiest, while Partida and Contreras took a few days off. Partida said he wanted to collect his thoughts before returning to work, and Contreras was nursing his hand, which he broke during the scuffle.
The school offered the scholarships to reward the workers for their heroism, said Cyndi Beaver, marketing coordinator at the school.
“It was an opportunity for us to kind of give back,” she said.
O’Rourke allegedly shot two second-grade girls in the arm before the men chased him out of the playground. Both children recovered and returned to school quickly, school officials said.
Kane said he was overwhelmed initially by all of the attention the men got after the incident, but now it feels as if it happened long ago. More importantly, he said, he’s thankful that nobody was more seriously hurt.
Call staff writer Stacy Brandt at 760-901-4009 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              760-901-4009      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
CSLS Honors San Diego Area Super Heroes with Contractors Scholarships.
Recipients of CSLS Scholarship: Steven Kane, Toby Wiest, Alex Avalar (CSLS License Advisor), Carlos Partida, Eddie Dominguez, Mario Contreras
 As part of our monthly John Baker Contractor Scholarship offerings, CSLS is honoring each of these super heroes with a scholarship for a CSLS program of their choice to help them in their future careers in the construction industry.
Last October when Carlos Partida, Eddie Dominguez, Steven Kane, Mario Contreras and Toby Wiest were working a job at Kelly Elementary School in Carlsbad California, a shooter opened fire at school children on the playground. Â When the gunman stopped shooting to reload his firearm, Carlos Partida knocked the man over with his truck and the other four workers apprehended and detained Brendan OâRourke, the alleged shooter, until the police arrived. Two children were injured on that day and are recovering but if it hadnât been for this groupâs quick reactions to bring down this shooter, the situation could have escalated to far more devastating consequences.Â
On Thursday, Jan 6th we met with the group of local heroes at the Contractors State License Services San Marcos location where Alex Avelar presented the program options and assisted in their enrollments. We at CSLS feel fortunate to be able to give something of continued value to this group which not only will benefit them individually but also their families and community.  Best of luck guys and thank you for stepping forward to protect our communityâs children!
San Diego Tribune Reports on CSLS Scholarship for local heroes
Free tuition offered to Kelly school heroes
By Aaron Burgin
Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 6:13 p.m.
SAN MARCOS â The Kelly Elementary School construction-worker heroes are going back to school, and the school is picking up the tab.
Carlos Partida, Eddie Dominguez, Steven Kane, Mario Contreras and Toby Wiest helped subdue Brendan Liam OâRourke, who is accused of opening fire at Kelly Elementary School in Carlsbad in October, wounding two second-grade girls. The workers chased after him after he stopped to reload. Partida knocked him to the ground with a truck and helped hold him until police arrived.
Contreras suffered a broken hand when he punched OâRourke.
Van Nuys-based Contractors State License Services, a private vocational school in San Marcos, is giving $1,000 scholarships to each man. The scholarships will pay for the workers to take one course, such as for contractorâs license examination preparation, blue print reading or contract estimating.
The school stepped in to offer the scholarships after learning about the heroics displayed by the workers, which garnered national attention. Days before the shooting, the school offered Victor Perez, a Fresno construction worker who rescued an 8-year-old girl who had been kidnapped, a similar scholarship.
âWe were kind of on a hero thing,â Cyndi Beaver, the schoolâs marketing coordinator, said Thursday during a ceremony. âWe just wanted to acknowledge our heroes in the construction industry.â
The timing of the scholarships couldnât have been better, the men said. They are all currently unemployed. For most of them, the contract at Kelly Elementary, a renovation of the schoolâs kitchen, was their last job.
âWeâre looking,â Partida said. âThereâs just not much out there right now.â
Four of the five men said they would use the scholarship to get their Class B state contractorâs license, which would enable them to find more work or potentially start a business themselves.
The men say they have been overwhelmed by the adulation they have received.
âWe still get the âyouâre a heroâ response,â Kane said. âItâs been really nice.â
Contractors State License Services has School Locations Near CSLB Testing Facilities
CSLB Facility Sacramento
CSLS has school locations conveniently located near each of the CSLB testing facilities. We can assist you with license exam preparation, live scan fingerprint services, bonding services, corporation set-ups and more. See our locations on www.MakeMeAContractor.com to connect with a License Consultant who can assist you with your licensing needs.
Testing facilities and times are assigned by the Contractors State License Board. Verify your scheduled testing facility on your Notification of Test Date letter you receive from the Board following acceptance of your test application.
CSLB Testing Facilities
Fresno
1277 E Alluvial Avenue, Suite 106
Fresno, CA 93720
Norwalk
12501 East Imperial Hwy, Suite 630
Norwalk, CA 90650
Oxnard
1901 N Rice Avenue, Suite 210
Oxnard, CA 93036
San Bernardino
1845 Business Center Drive, Suite 214
San Bernardino, CA 92408
San Diego
9246 Lightwave Avenue
San Diego, CA 92123
San Jose
100 Paseo De San Antonio, Suite 103
San Jose, CA 95113
Sacramento
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
Thousands of Jobs, Contractors Needed
Ever wondered how to obtain the coveted Governement Contracts for your Contractors business or simply know how to gain more jobs? Look no more Contractors State License Services is hosting FREE seminars presented by TOSGA Global Alliance strategic Partner of CSLS. TOSGA offers services that assist small and minority businesses in connecting with Private and Government Sector jobs specifically for Contractors. There are thousands of construction jobs available in a variety of trades such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, painting, HVAC, concrete/paving and more!
Learn how you as licensed contractor can connect and bid on these profitable construction jobs. Presentations are filling quickly. Contact a location near you to reserve a seat!
LOCATION DATE TIME CALL
South District
Long Beach Dec 14 5:30pm-6:30pm 310-522-9258
Covina Dec 15 5:30pm-6:30pm 626-430-9212
Norwalk Dec 15 5:30pm-6:30pm 562-404-5508
Orange Dec 16 5:30pm-6:30pm 714-289-9105
Temecula Dec 16 5:30pm-6:30pm 951-587-2257
San Diego Dec 22 5:30pm-6:30pm 619-283-2011
San Marcos Dec 22 5:30pm-6:30pm 760-744-4334
Riverside Dec 23 5:30pm-6:30pm 951-781-6161
Central District
Van Nuys Dec 16 6:00pm-7:00pm 818-901-6330
Bakersfield Dec 29 6:00pm-7:00pm 661-321-3210
Northern District
Fresno Dec 14 6:00pm-7:00pm 559-229-2180
Concord Dec 15 6:00pm-7:00pm 925-686-8393
Modesto Dec 16 6:00pm-7:00pm 209-526-8091
Sacramento Dec 16 6:00pm-7:00pm 916-363-2784
San Jose Dec 21 6:00pm-7:00pm 408-247-1242
San Rafael Dec 21 6:00pm-7:00pm 415-456-4437
So San Francisco Dec 22 6:00pm-7:00pm 650-755-5582
Oakland Dec 23 6:00pm-7:00pm 510-382-9814
Or visit the CSLS website for more details and directions http://www.contractorslicensingschools.com/contractor-education-events.cfm
CSLS iPad Contest Winner Awarded New iPad
CSLS iPad Contest Winner Karl Menjivar Awarded New iPad
Helping to build futures, today CSLS awarded student Karl Menjivar a New iPad. CSLS iPad contest ran throughout the month of October resulting in one very lucky winner. “I am so excited”, said Karl. “I didn’t expect to win.” Karl is pursuing his C-10 Electrical Contractors License. We wish Karl the best and congratulate him on his win!
Looking for how you too can leverage an iPad for your Construction business? Take a look at the top 5 ways an Apple iPad can help your Construction business save time, earn more clients, and simply make your professional life easier.
Top 5 Ways an Ipad can Help Your Contractor Business
1. In the field sketching / note-taking: Sketching out plans, dimensions and equations on the fly is an integral part of the construction process. For this, the iPad opens up a whole new world of possibilities for accuracy, convenience and organization. This tablet can make sketching a plan out as easy as touching the screen and drawing with your finger. Need a calculator? Flip on over to the calculator application. Need to jot a few notes? Flip on over to the notepad application. Then, when you are done â just click save, and move on with your day. There will most likely be tons of applications that you can download that might make the process even easier.
2. Contract reference: The iPad allows you to store and view your most important documents where you can reference contracts, accounts payable, receivables, as well as popular books. Need a on the job reference guide check out the ibooks option.
3. Portable credentials: How many times have you been bidding on a job and been asked to show some credentials? The iPad could easily turn into your on-the-road filing cabinet. Keep important documents like your certificate of liability, Contractors bond, Contractors license(s), workerâs comp â basically anything that you might need when out in the field or bidding on a project, all in one spot.
4. Mobile Professional Portfolio: Nowadays, people want proof of how good you are. They want to see photos, videos, maybe even testimonials of past customers. What better way to showcase yourself than with your iPad? Show customers slideshows of your work, your website, videos ⌠get creative! Apple is renowned for itâs productsâ abilities to create cool looking presentations, so take advantage of it and get some more jobs!
5. Digital blueprints: Many contractors have gotten into the habit of bringing their laptops on the job to reference digital blueprints and plans. Well laptops, the iPad has just one-upped you. Already with Appleâs smaller touch interfaces, you can zoom in to minute details, rotate images, even edit on the spot â all with your fingers. And itâs fast! We can only imagine the cool new ways that a larger screen will allow you to interact with and share your plans on the job site. Paper is indeed a thing of the past.
View more on our website at http://www.contractorslicensingschools.com/contractor-industry-news.cfm(List adapted from Center Networks, by Johnnie Munger)
Contractors State License Services Honors Victor Perez With A Contractors Scholarship
CSLS Awards Victor Perez Full Scholarship, Fresno California
Contractors State License Services (CSLS) granted a full scholarship to local Fresno California, hero Victor Perez, an unemployed Contractor in the hopes to build a brighter future for a Good Samaritan and hero. Victor Perez, the Fresno Construction worker put his life on the line to save an abducted 8-year-old girl last week. Victor’s heroics and daring rescue has touched the heart of not only local residents to Fresno California but also the President and CEO of Contractors State License Services, also known as MakeMeAContractor.com, David Mizener.
David Mizener, CSLS’ President & CEO, learned about Victor’s compelling story and that he lacked a California Contractors License through the Media. “After hearing Victor’s story and the request of Governor Schwarzenegger that someone give Victor a job. “I knew we could do more than simply give him a job, we could help him build a future and a business that would ultimately help him provide for his family,” said David Mizener.
The Contractors Scholarship valued at over $1,500 provides full enrollment to Contractors State License Services In-School Law and Trade program which is designed to assist Contractors in passing the California Contractors License Exam. “Our 98% pass rate will provide Victor with a sense of peace knowing that he will pass the first time he sits for the Contractor’s License Exam. In fact, we have helped over 120,000 Contractors just like Victor to gain their Contractors License,” states Maureen Esses, License Advisor. CSLS classes offer live instruction taught by qualified and experienced instructors. The classroom setting allows for individual attention and the opportunity for classroom discussion and immediate response to questions our students may have. Program content is relevant to day-in, day-out Contractor practice and the California Contractors State License Examination such as Contractors Business Law.
Additionally, Contractors State License Services Contractors Scholarship will also cover all the State required fees associated with gaining a Contractor’s License such as the California State Contractors License Application Fee, Contractor’s License Fee, as well as, additional Contractor fees for requirements such as Contractor Bonding fees. “We are happy to assist such a great man with the additional cost of earning a Contractor’s License. The Contractors Bonding requirement of $12,500 will be covered by CSLS as well”, states David Mizener, CSLS President & CEO. “That’s unbelievable,” Perez said. “To become a contractor would be a dream come true.”
Victor plans to pursue the General Building (General B) Contractors License and to attend CSLS’s Fresno School Locations live class room 4 week program. The Fresno school location is one of 25 School locations throughout California for Contractors State License Services along with the Live Online programs nationwide and Home Study programs. “We are excited to assist Victor reach his goal of becoming a Licensed Contractor. We applaud Victor’s first steps to building a brighter future and look forward to helping him achieve his goals”, says Mary Birch District Manager.
About CSLS (contractorslicensingschools.com/)
Contractors State License Services (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction professional. For over 25 years, CSLS has helped its students pass the exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California, licensing more students than any other school. In fact, 1 in 3 applicants to the California State Licensing Board (CSLB) have used CSLS to successfully pass the exam. Contractors State License Services offers licensing classes for all types of contractor licenses, including: General Engineering Contractor | General Building Contractor | Specialty Contractor | Insulation and Acoustical Contractor | Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor | Concrete Contractor | Drywall Contractor | Electrical Contractor | Elevator Contractor | Landscaping Contractor | Warm-Air Heating | Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor, and many others. Contractors State License Services also provides CSLS Contractors with Business Development Services to assist in every aspect of sustaining a strong Construction Business. These include Bonds, Corporation Services, DBA’s, Application Processing, Fingerprint Services, and Insurance Services.