Owens Corning University and Cornell bring Ivy League learning to contractors

Certificate program and learning modules are designed for the modern learner.

Owens Corning Roofing and Cornell University have joined forces to provide a comprehensive online certificate program and curated course offerings tailored to the business interests of roofing and home improvement contractors. The courses and certificates are developed and offered by Cornell University faculty with expertise in core areas of business education and delivered through its online education unit, eCornell.

Owens Corning collaborated with Cornell University to evaluate more than 900 eCornell courses to curate highly targeted course and certificate offerings focused on supporting Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network (OCCN) members’ interests in expanding their business’s core capabilities for growth and their employees’ personal development. Contractors may opt to earn an eCornell certificate in finance, business management, marketing, sales, human resources or data science. A formal eCornell certificate is awarded based on successful completion of courses that comprise each certificate program. Contractors may also opt to enroll in individual courses to supplement their knowledge in key areas.

The online learning platform is accessible 24/7 through the Owens Corning University portal, making it easy for contractors and their team members to schedule learning around the demands of business and life. To nurture collaborative learning, participants can engage in real-time discussions with cohorts and educators to explore how course content relates to real-world business applications. A support system provides access to 180 enrollment counselors and advisors for one-on-one connectivity.

Owens Corning’s exclusive partnership with Cornell University reflects Owens Corning’s commitment to provide OCRCN members with the highest level of educational content sourced from an internationally renowned institute of higher education. Jon Gardner, senior leader, learning & development/strategic partnerships, stated, “Cornell has been respected as an educational powerhouse for more than 150 years and the eCornell program has helped more than 250,000 learners, many of them small business owners, take their careers and their businesses to new levels of success. Roofing and home improvement businesses are more complex than ever before. Owners and employees want, and in some cases may need, to hone their skills in leadership, business strategy, operations, brand strategy and financial acumen to be successful in today's competitive environment. We are excited to see our network members tap into eCornell's Professional Certificate Programs or individual courses, brought to them exclusively by Owens Corning University."

Corey Milnes, director of corporate programs at eCornell, remarked that the collaboration between Owens Corning and Cornell merges academic leadership with contractors’ real-world business needs. “We worked with Owens Corning Roofing to create a program that addresses the areas where contractors are most eager to expand not only their own business management acumen, but also nurture their teams’ growth and development in critical areas,” he said.

The content is available now and is offered to contractors in the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network at a 53% discount. More information is available online.