The HELM Hub:
Courses, Circles, Meet-Ups & more
Want to sharpen your skills? Up your leadership game? Connect with like-minded professionals? It's all here at HELM: Comprehensive professional classes, peer-to-peer circles, all-are-welcome social events and more. To stay current on our many offerings, sign up here.
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Courses
Our courses are a practical and efficient way to get great skills in a wide range of areas, from business and project management to leadership development and workplace culture. You'll gain new perspective, practical competence, and leave with HELM-developed tools and templates to optimize your processes. Our courses are also a great way to connect with others in the industry and build your community!
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Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00pm EST
15 weeks beginning March 11, 2025With a focus on planet- and people-forward businesses, HELM’s Construction Business Basics will help you make your construction business more efficient, productive, and profitable. Three modules include: Financial Tools, Purpose-Driven Sales, and Pre-Construction and Project Management.
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Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 EST
4 weeks beginning March 11, 2025This 4-session course covers the basics of how to read and understand financial reports like your Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet, help you understand the difference between Markup and Margin, and introduce the core principles of job cost accounting.
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Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 EST
4 weeks beginning April 8, 2025In this 4-session course, participants will learn to create good client and good project criteria; articulate their company’s process from sales to project warranty; get a “yes” or “no” after three meetings; sell pre-construction; and keep leads organized.
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Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm EST
7 weeks beginning May 6, 2025A deep dive into the fundamentals of good pre-construction and project management practices, including essential pre-construction tasks, estimating, scheduling, and project management. The course includes hands-on exercises, tools, and templates to support emerging project managers and estimators. Ideal for project managers and estimators who are new to their role or are looking to improve their internal systems.
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Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 EST
4 weeks beginning September 9, 2025Designed to help current and aspiring leads build their management and leadership skills, in this course we'll explore what it means to be a lead carpenter and how to manage a project for success — including on-site and team management skills, creating effective documentation, and maintaining clear communication with the construction team and project owner. We’ll also provide a portfolio of sample documents and templates to support your process.
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Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30pm EST
4 weeks beginning October 7, 2025A comprehensive introduction to the methodology and techniques of estimating for residential construction. You'll learn how to organize your estimating process with CSI divisions and code costs; generate an initial ballpark/Schematic Design (SD) budget range; use HELM’s own comprehensive estimating tool; and create a Design Development (DD) and/or Construction Drawing (CD) estimate. Sample estimating documents and deliverables that are the standard in this industry will be shared. Ideal for people working in the residential construction industry who currently engaged in project estimating or would like to start.
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2026 Dates TBD
A comprehensive introduction to the methodology and techniques of scheduling with Gantt charts for residential construction. You'll learn how to build schedules using predecessor relationships, and establish a critical path where the whole schedule moves together.
We'll look at pre-construction and construction schedules for individual projects, production overview schedules that track leads and current work, and unique overviews such as trade partner schedules across all company projects. We will discuss how and when to share schedules with your clients and teams. Ideals for owners, project managers, and site supervisors working in the residential construction industry.
Circles
We sponsor peer-to-peer Circles for many different communities within the building profession. They're a great opportunity to share experiences and build connections — and gain the kind of rubber-meets-the-road insights only a trusted group of colleagues can provide.
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6 sessions
April-August 2025
By invitation onlyJoin us for a six-part series on leadership within the construction and design industry. This group coaching circle provides a supportive space for building community and leadership skills. Through the creation of a recurring, semi-facilitated, peer learning environment, strategically support a diverse group of existing and emerging leaders of mission-driven HELM companies. By prioritizing space for these leaders’ development and growth, directly increase the impact of their role and the success of their businesses.
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6 sessions
March - August 2025The Architect Circle is designed to help small architecture businesses identify their current limiting factors and, with peer advice and support, develop strategies to overcome them. The Circle meets monthly for a series of recurring, facilitated, peer learning sessions.
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6 sessions
July - December 2025
By invitation onlyThe Owners' Circle is designed to help small businesses prepare to grow and move to the next level. The cohort design is focused on building community with peers from similar business types, and providing structure and accountability.
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6 sessions
January-June 2025
For graduates of Pre-Construction and Project ManagementJoin us for a monthly meeting about the role, tools, and best practices for Project Managers.
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Last Friday of each month
The Recovery Circle was created to provide a safe and supportive space for people in the design and building industry who are also in recovery, at any stage and from any substance.
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3rd Thursday of each month
Do you identify as Black, Indigenous, or other Person of Color? Now is a critical time for building community and growing our connections. Join us for a free and supportive space facilitated by one of HELM’s professional coaches.
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1st Thursday of each month
Do you identify as LGBTQIA+? Now is a critical time for building community and growing our connections. Join us for a free and supportive space facilitated by one of HELM’s professional coaches.
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Weekly on Wednesdays
April 9 - June 25, 2025Feeling stretched thin by deadlines, responsibilities, and the constant pressure to perform? Whether it’s work, personal obligations, or navigating an ever-changing world, stress can take a toll on our well-being. This 12-week series is designed to help you manage overwhelm, build resilience, and develop sustainable strategies to stay grounded without burning out.
Meet-Ups
Casual, fun and free meet-ups for women, trans, & non-binary folks in construction and the trades.
We are always scheduling new meet-ups — check back often. To get notified about upcoming meet-ups in your area, sign up here.
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Co-Sponsor: Non-Trad Tradies
Location: Goodfire Brewing Co, 180 South Freeport Road, Freeport, ME
Time: 5:30-7:30pm -
Co-Sponsor: Rare Forms
Location: 51 Ferry Street, Easthampton, MA 01027
Time: 5:00-6:30pm -
Virtual Meet-Up on the topic of Communication on the Job Site.
Co-Sponsor: Vermont Works for Women
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
RSVP here -
Time and location coming soon!
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Co-sponsors: Vermont Works for Women and Mathes Hulme Builders
Location: 446 Marlboro Road, Brattleboro, VT
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
RSVP here -
Virtual Meet-Up conversation focused on Resume & Interview Tips
Co-Sponsor: Vermont Works for Women
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
RSVP here -
Co-Sponsors: Vermont Works for Women and Yestermorrow Design/Build School
Location: 7869 Main St (Rte 100), Waitsfield, VT 05673
Time: 5:00-7:00pm