By providing a consistent technical framework, this revised educational program helps teams work more efficiently, seize new market opportunities and stay competitive as cold-formed steel grows as a primary structural solution.
For the past 20 years, AWCI’s Steel—Doing It Right® has served as the industry’s premier training resource for cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Launched in 2006 and debuting its newest edition in 2026, this comprehensive online program remains the gold standard for contractors, project managers, estimators, architects and code officials.
As CFS framing transitions from an alternative system to a primary structural solution in multifamily, healthcare, and mixed-use construction, the need for deep, practical knowledge has never been greater.
Building the Foundation
In the early 2000s, industry leaders identified a critical gap: a lack of experienced contractors and carpenters confident enough to bid and build complex structural steel projects. To bridge this gap, the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) collaborated to create a contractor-focused curriculum covering:
- Estimating and project management
- Advanced construction methods
- Quality control and code compliance
“The strength of the Steel—Doing It Right program lies in its ability to translate complex engineering and code requirements into practical, actionable knowledge for the field,” says Don Pilz, director of technical services with AWCI. “With the 2026 update, we are ensuring that the next generation of builders has the most current tools to master the complexities of modern structural framing.”
Evolving for the Digital Age
The program held its first seminar in February 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia. For 14 years, interactive, multi-day in-person sessions were the hallmark of Steel—Doing It Right. However, in 2020, AWCI pivoted to a user-friendly, self-paced online format to meet the demands of a modern workforce.
The upcoming 2026 relaunch (the third version and second online edition) represents a significant leap forward. It features:
- Narrated Content: Expert-led modules with refreshed audio.
- Enhanced Visuals: Modern animations and video clips showing real-world applications.
- Refreshed Layout: A streamlined learning pathway consistent with other Doing It Right programs.
“AWCI’s mission has always been to provide the wall and ceiling industry with the highest level of technical excellence,” says AWCI CEO Mike Stark. “By modernizing Steel—Doing It Right for a 2026 release, we are making world-class CFS education accessible to every professional, regardless of their location, helping them gain a competitive edge and increase profitability.”
A Comprehensive 13-Module Curriculum
Steel—Doing It Right is a non-product-specific course that focuses on industry-accepted best practices. Participants move through 13 modules covering essential topics, including:
- Load-bearing wall systems
- Roof and floor framing
- Interior assemblies and panelization
- Continuous load-path integrity
All graduates receive a certificate of completion. Additionally, engineers and others can earn professional development hours (PDHs), and architects may self-report learning units (LUs) for AIA (The American Institute of Architects) continuing education credit.
Strategic Advantages for Industry Professionals
For Contractors and Field Leaders. The program focuses on the technical factors that control performance and liability, tolerances, framing geometry, fastening and bracing, while delivering clear, current code-based guidance for noncombustible, mold-resistant cold-formed steel systems. As demand grows, contractors with this expertise gain a clear competitive edge.
For Estimators. Margins are won or lost at the bid stage. This program includes a dedicated estimating module that establishes a consistent methodology for quantifying scope, labor and materials, preventing “small misses” in gauge or spacing that can erase profit.
For Project Managers. The course clarifies the nuances of delegated design, submittals and inspections. By aligning project managers and field crews with the same technical framework, companies see fewer installation errors and more predictable project outcomes.
Turning Expertise into a Competitive Advantage
Beyond technical knowledge, program participants gain verified expertise that aligns with modern project specifications. This allows contractors to move beyond simple interior partitions and into the lucrative market of structural steel framing. By reinforcing quality control and fastening standards, the course helps reduce liability risk in an environment of tightening building codes and insurance requirements.
Subject-Matter Experts
From its inception, this program has been crafted and curated by the best of the best in the industry. This latest edition would not be possible without the support and knowledge of the following subject-matter experts:
- Don Allen, Executive Director, Steel Framing Industry Association
- William Babich, Director of Engineering, TrusSteel
- Adam Conerly, Chief Estimator, F.L. Crane & Sons, Inc.
- Jim DesLaurier, Executive Vice President, Marino\WARE
- Carl Elliott, Director of Product Development, Sure-Board
- Tyler Elliott, Production Manager/Head of Research and Development, Sure-Board
- Terry Evans, Estimator/Project Manager, MAREK
- Georgi Hall, Director of Engineering, CEMCO
- James Hillegas, Chief Operating Officer, Offsite Systems
- Joel Marek, Project and Prefab Coordinator, MAREK
- Jim Morton, Senior Project Manager/Estimator, MAREK
- Greg Ralph, Vice President of Business Development, ClarkDietrich
- Sam Sanderson, Technical Engineer, Grabber Construction Products, Inc.
- Daniel Stadig, Senior Vice President, Salas O’Brien
- Jim Stafford, Owner/Operator, Jim Stafford Consulting
- Travis Vap, CEO, South Valley
AWCI Staff
- Thao Nguyen, Project Manager
- Don Pilz, Director of Technical Services
- Annemarie Selvitelli, Director of Education and Member Services
Conclusion
For two decades, Steel—Doing It Right has been the industry’s premier training program for cold-formed steel framing, evolving from hands-on seminars to a flexible, fully online course. Designed for contractors, estimators, project managers and field leaders, it delivers code-based knowledge that improves skills, reduces risk and enhances project outcomes.
By providing a consistent technical framework, the program helps teams work more efficiently, seize new market opportunities and stay competitive as cold-formed steel grows as a primary structural solution. With its newest edition launching in 2026, Steel—Doing It Right is more comprehensive, engaging and accessible than ever. CD
Thao Nguyen is the education program manager at AWCI. Don Pilz is the director of technical services at AWCI. Annemarie Selvitelli is the director of education and member services at AWCI.
