Crawford Contractor Connection(SM) Partners with RedVector to Offer Online Training for Network Members

ATLANTA, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Crawford Contractor Connection, a high-quality managed repair vendor network for residential and commercial property claims, has partnered with RedVector, a leading provider of continuing education for the construction industry, to develop online training to help network partners continue their professional development.

"We are very pleased to bring a comprehensive learning solution to our network partners," said Larry Thomas, president of Contractor Connection. "The programs reinforce technical knowledge and will contribute to delivering superior service to our carrier customers and consumers." Contractor Connection is a unit of Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA; CRDB), the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions.

Contractor Connection Online Training, available to Contractor Connection network partners via their member logins, helps contractors fulfill construction education requirements on a more flexible basis than traditional classroom learning. It offers more than 500 courses and over 20 certificate programs geared to the construction industry, including education about safety practices, protective equipment and prevention of on-the-job hazards, as well as courses on such general skills as communications and project and time management.

RedVector courses are supplemented by select Contractor Connection programs on topics including water mitigation and roofing. All courses meet state board requirements and professional organization obligations. In addition to offering greater flexibility, online training costs less than 10 percent of the price of traditional training, according to RedVector.

RedVector has provided online education for licensed and certified professionals in the design and construction industry, including engineers, architects, contractors, land surveyors, building inspectors and landscape architects, since 2000. The company maintains an online library of more than 1,000 courses written by over 100 subject matter experts and serves professionals in all 50 states.

Contractor Connection offers a network of more than 4,000 contractors in the United States and Canada. Initially providing services to insurers and their claimants, the network launched a consumer program in 2010. Property owners interested in home improvement projects can access Contractor Connection's credentialed network to provide bids for their work.

About Crawford

Based in Atlanta, Ga., Crawford & Company is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities, with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions^SM offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines including property and casualty claims management, workers compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.

SOURCE Crawford & Company