The leading voice for the crushed stone, ready mixed concrete, sand and gravel, and cement industries' community.
PELA is a 10-month hybrid program with online and in-person educational sessions and networking opportunities.
Careers in the Aggregates, Concrete & Cement Industries
The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) is the industry’s unified voice, representing more than 200 member companies across the state.
Creating a unified and strong voice for our industry.
PACA monitors and analyzes local, state and federal regulations and advocates for a balanced approach by the regulators.
PACA builds a bridge between our members and our partners at PennDOT, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission along with Pennsylvania’s construction industry to further the use of our materials to the benefit of the commonwealth.
One of the most effective tools in government relations for an industry is a robust advocacy/grassroots strategy.
In the last legislative session, we contributed over $275,000 to our political champions.
November 2025 at Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA (PACA members only event).
PACA offers comprehensive concrete certification programs for ACI, NRMCA, and PennDOT in the central Pennsylvania area.
Membership has its privileges - most of PACA's events are open to PACA members only.
PACA conducts numerous education and training events during the year.
Choose concrete for your next parking lot project.
Streets built with concrete are built to last, consider concrete for your next project.
Concrete's strong, resilient and the choice for your next building or bridge.
PACA works with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) to convert your parking lot or building project to concrete without hurting your bottom line.
PACA drives a member-approved strategic plan to increase market share and engages specifiers and owners on the value of concrete in their projects.
This program provides free continuing education to the design and specifying communities. There are currently four courses available, ranging from 30 minutes to 60 minutes focused on the cement, aggregates and concrete industries. You'll receive a certificate of completion once you pass a quiz. The bookmarking feature allows you to leave the course and resume where you left off when you return.
“The best investment you can make is in yourself.” While successful businessman Warren Buffet has no known experience working with concrete, his words of wisdom prove to be true, as increasing your personal value is important to your career, no matter the industry. As a member of the concrete industry, becoming certified by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) will provide you with a multitude of long- and short-term benefits. With the assistance of the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA), obtaining these certifications is extremely easy and rewarding.
With a certification in your specialized area of work, your value increases to employers and clients. This asset also increases your desirability to your boss when selecting employees to work on a job. Opportunities for raises and promotions also come along with this experience. Another benefit of a certification is the opportunity to learn more about the specifics of your work. The next time you’re questioned for a decision you make on the job, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to thoroughly back up your actions, proving yourself to your colleagues and bosses.
Deciding you want to become ACI-certified is the first step, but how does one go about registering for the courses and exams? By simply visiting the PACA website, you have access to a one-stop-shop, where you can register for a variety of certifications.
When you decide you want to complete an ACI certification program, there are four simple steps to follow: find a program, find a testing location, prepare for the exam, and complete the exam. On our website is an extensive list of the certification courses we offer. Upcoming locations and dates for each course are also listed. Courses available to complete through PACA include, but are not limited to: ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I; ACI Adhesive Anchor Certification Exam; NFMCA Exterior Flatwork Finisher Certification; and ACI Flatwork Finishing Certification Exam. View the full list of course offerings on our website at Certification Exams/paca.org.
As if these reasons weren’t enough motivation to become ACI certified, PennDOT is also beginning to mandate certification for contractors placing concrete flatwork on projects as well as those installing and inspecting concrete anchors. These new requirements mean that certification courses are going to be in much higher demand. Signing up now for a certification through PACA is quick and easy, and will put you ahead of the curve when other companies are making a mad dash to certify their employees.
PACA is proud to operate these programs to elevate the standards of our local industry. We are the leading voice for the crushed stone, ready-mixed concrete, sand and gravel, and cement industries’ community, and we want to set high standards for concrete work in Pennsylvania.
To stay up to date with new exams added to our schedule, registration open dates for exams and other information, sign up for updates through our website. Direct any questions regarding certifications to Ken Crank, director of Concrete Promotion and Certification, and questions regarding course registration to Kallie Kline, director of Member Services.
February 22, 2024
Proficient carbon calculations are increasingly important as “Buy Clean” legislation proliferates. New York and Colorado are among the states that now require carbon calcs for public projects. An estimated 40% of emissions are from the built environment. According to one estimate, the planet’s total building floor area will double by 2060. This makes the concrete industry a key player in the quest for net-zero emissions products and projects.
February 15, 2024
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) notes that cement production is “so carbon intensive that even though cement makes up less than 15% of concrete by weight, it accounts for 90% of concrete’s carbon footprint.” The use of fossil fuels to fire cement kilns is a key source of these carbon emissions.
February 08, 2024
In the quest for reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, everyone has a role to play. In the concrete industry, this includes everyone from manufacturers to contractors, and from trade associations to governments. Here is a review of some of the major initiatives impacting concrete’s sustainability.
February 01, 2024
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) requires high-temperature calcination of limestone. It is possible to use various emissions-reducing pozzolans in concrete. Fly ash comes from coal-fired power plants. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) comes from steel mills. Another SCM is metakaolin derived from kaolin.
The program is delivered in one (1) module and it should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will receive a certificate of completion once you pass the quiz. The bookmarking feature will allow you to leave the course and resume where you left off when you return.