The Blog

  (via ABC National) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 10:00 AM   WASHINGTON, Nov. 4—Today, longtime construction industry leader, instructor and military veteran Frank Boecker testified on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development on the indispensable role that community colleges, trade schools and career and technical education programs play in the construction industry. Boecker, who serves as human resources manager for electrical contractor Sunwest Electric, headquartered in Anaheim, California, called for continued investment in apprenticeship programs, craft courses and career and technical education programs, as well as the need for the federal government to promote all programs and pathways that lead to a fulfilling career. “The workforce shortage facing construction and many other industries across the country is one ...

 

Please urge your apprentices to fill out this national survey from the Construction Users Roundtable about what factors might influence a person to choose a career in the trades.  The survey is also important because it will ensure that the merit shop is represented.  To make apprenticeship policies fairer and more equitable for merit shop contractors and apprentices, we have to make sure that the unions are not the only ones who participate in this survey.     

 

  ABC Massachusetts' workforce development arm, Building Mass Careers, is recruiting candidates for the MassHire Metro North Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Facilities Maintenance or Construction Trades that will begin on September 13, 2021. This program is free to participate in.   Building on the success from the first pre-apprenticeship program from the spring of 2021, ABC MA's Director of Workforce Development, Steve Sullivan, will instruct the group as they progress through the 160-hour training program which is designed to prepare Metro North residents for registered apprenticeships in facilities maintenance or trade-related construction occupations. Training will include an introduction to facilities maintenance, construction, financial literacy, and job readiness.  Successful program graduates will receive assistance applying for an apprenticeship in their chosen pathway.   Cadidate Requirements: Residents of the Metro North region who are unemployed or ...

  ABC Massachusetts was asked to serve as the TeamWorks Series Director at the SkillsUSA State Championship at the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical School located in Upton, Massachusetts on April 29th and April 30th. The TeamWorks competition, consisting of six groups of 4 Massachusetts Vocational School students competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze. The four team members consisted of a Carpenter, an Electrician, a Plumber and a Mason, who built a small structure whichl simulated the aspects of a full-sized building.   We called upon our membership to help participate as the judging team, and several member companies stepped up to answer the call. Participating member firms included Industrial Steel & Boiler Services, Inc., Haynes Group, MJ Moran, Inc., Interstate Electrical Services, Northwestern Mutual, Plumb House Inc., and Fernandes Masonry. Thank you to all of our fantastic judges for lending your time, and a big thank you to ABC MA members Milwaukee ...

  On April 9th, the first cohort of 15 students graduated from the Metro North Pre-Apprentice Construction and Facilities Maintenance Training Program (PACMAN) in a truly joyous and inspirational ceremony.  The PACMAN curriculum includes an introduction to construction and facilities maintenance, financial literacy, and job readiness.  Students earned OSHA-10 safety and health certification and completed a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core curriculum that included the following elements: Basic Safety (Construction Site Safety Orientation) (12.5 hours) Introduction to Construction Math (10 hours) Introduction to Hand Tools (10 hours) Introduction to Power Tools (10 hours) Introduction to Construction Drawings (10 hours) ntroduction to Basic Rigging (7.5 hours) Basic Communication Skills (7.5 hours) Basic Employability Skills (7.5 hours) Introduction to Materials Handling (5 hours) But more inspiring than the curriculum or ...

On Thursday, May 16th, GCI and ABC will hold our annual Safety & Education Night at the Boston Burlington Marriott to honor member companies who have achieved excellence through ABC’s Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP).  But did you know there are critical educational seminars before the celebration even begins? And this year, we are offering TWO different seminars to choose from, with both beginning at 4:00 PM, followed by an exciting night celebrating the STEP Award Winners, and more! Option 1: Annual OSHA Update - Regulatory Statistics, Worker Shortages, Opioids, Hot Work and more! ​ ​Kimlee Lindgren, Lead Instructor and Curriculum Developer for Construction & Maritime, OSHA Training Institute Educat ...

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Via ABC National) —According to the results of Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2019 Workforce Development Survey, ABC members invested $1.6 billion to educate their employees in 2018, up from $1.1 billion in 2013. The 45% increase in spending resulted in nearly twice as many course attendees—more than 980,000—receiving craft, leadership and safety education to advance their careers in commercial and industrial construction.  “The increase in spending on education demonstrates ABC member contractors’ commitment to developing employees, which is producing results in recruiting and retaining a skilled, safe and productive workforce,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president of health, safety, education and workforce development. “With more than 90% of members reporting a worker shortage and construction spending at near-record highs, this is the time to invest in our people, expand career opportunities and secure ...

On Friday March 22, ABC MA's Building Mass Careers hosted a construction industry round table at Woburn Memorial High School in Woburn, MA. Over 30 high school juniors and seniors heard from five ABC MA member companies about their crafts within the Construction industry, and their specific company hiring practices.  “It was a great event for our students to be part of” explained, Jessica Callanan, Principal of Woburn High School. “Our students heard first hand from employers about what is needed to be successful in the workplace. The Construction industry is booming, and I think many of the kids who attended will seriously pursue Construction as a career path.” The students heard from a diverse group of presenters who discussed the wide array of opportunities for both men and women in the Construction industry.  “I thought the roundtable discussion was tremendous!" Offered, Joe Camilo, from Tocco Building Systems “The studen ...