The New Siding Academy Will Train and Certify Siding Installers
With the launch of its first-of-its-kind siding certification program, Ideal Siding is working to fill serious skill gaps in the construction industry workforce. The new Siding Academy is designed to train and certify siding installers, equipping both novices and professionals with the knowledge and experience they need for success.
“Siding Academy represents a significant step forward for the siding industry,” said Alex Filipuk, founder and CEO of Ideal Siding, which is the largest and fastest-growing siding renovation franchise in North America. “We recognized the need for a comprehensive training program to elevate the quality and consistency of siding installation. By providing accessible, high-quality education, we are not only helping professionals advance their careers but also raising the bar for the entire industry.”
The New Siding Academy
The ground-breaking program offers flexible online training taught by experienced professionals and manufacturer representatives. The program’s curriculum emphasizes practical skills, advanced installation techniques and certifications that are tailored to various skill and experience levels. Courses range from one to twelve weeks, depending on the participant’s pace and the number of classes taken. The introductory program, which costs $299, includes training on the most common siding materials along with ongoing educational opportunities through webinars, guest lecturers and updated curriculum.
Ideal Siding is reinvesting course fees into the academy so that the instruction can be expanded and improved. And to ensure quality across its own brand, the company requires franchisees to complete at least part of the program and also covers the costs of the courses for its work crews.
“Our mission with Siding Academy is to bridge the skill gap in the siding industry and empower professionals to excel,” said Alberto Haddad, chief operating officer at Ideal Siding. “Whether someone is new to siding or a seasoned installer looking to refine their skills, Siding Academy provides the education and certification needed to advance their career and deliver exceptional results.”
Filipuk first became focused on the siding business after a friend who was a siding installer had his income slashed during the 2007 housing crisis. He began researching the industry and developed a business model that would cut costs for homeowners while increasing the workers’ pay, “proving that fair pricing and quality workmanship can go hand in hand,” he says. Filipuk eventually converted his plan into a thriving brand.
About the Ideal Siding Franchise Opportunity
The company’s framework allows flexibility for franchisees, who can choose to run their business as a traditional owner/operator and be involved in all the aspects of day-to-day operations or opt to become a semi-absentee owner, which requires less of a time commitment but more significant initial investment.
For each of the three models, Ideal Siding provides services that simplify general business functions.
- The company’s centralized call center answers phone calls, emails and social media inquiries for franchise owners and schedules appointments with homeowners.
- A corporate team manages marketing at the local and national level, capitalizing on innovative digital marketing strategies to help generate an ongoing flow of leads.
- Ideal Siding helps franchisees locate and hire the best installers in a particular area through the company’s network of trusted work crews.
- A company design team creates custom house renderings to help clients visualize design possibilities.
For other business tasks, a web-based tool allows franchise owners to efficiently schedule customers, manage invoices and keep track of projects by using a custom-built database.
The siding market in North America is on track to reach a projected revenue of $26.6 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%, according to Grand View Research. Anticipating strong demand from this growth, Ideal Siding is seeking new franchise owners with a customer-first mentality. The company doesn’t require franchisees to have construction industry experience, but a strong work ethic, discipline and integrity are important traits.
Franchisees get a week of online training and then go through a field training program, with hands-on instruction on how to get the job done. Then before a franchise opens, the company books several client appointments for the first week, so the new franchise owner can get off to a quick start.
Ideal Siding offers a broad selection of high-quality siding materials, from affordable vinyl to warm, classic cedar and eco-friendly engineered wood. Stone veneer and sleek metal siding offer more contemporary looks. Homeowners can also choose from styles such as rustic shakes and shingles or modern panels. And clients can personalize the look of their home by mixing and matching customizable colors, combining different colors for siding, trim and accents.
For more information, visit Ideal Siding’s franchise website.
