Trump initiative supports training of 500,000 construction workers

Source: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.

Associated Builders and Contractors is among 20-plus charter signatories to “Pledge to America’s Workers,” supporting a White House initiative, National Council for the American Worker, that President Donald Trump created by Executive Order. The Council is charged with developing a strategy for training and retraining workers across high demand industries, and will convene public, private, education, labor, and not-for-profit sector representatives.

Participants commit to creating new opportunities through apprenticeships, work-based learning, continuing education and on-the-job training. Among those on hand for a July 19 White House gathering to sign the Pledge were officials from ABC, Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Home Builders, North America Building Trades Unions and American Trucking Associations, plus FedEx, Home Depot and IBM. Initial signatories will pursue training and development of 3.8 million employees over the next five years.

“ABC is proud to join the White House in pledging to develop and support generations of skilled craftsmen and women who are building America,” says Vice President of Environment, Health, Safety and Workforce Development Greg Sizemore. “There are currently 500,000 open positions in the construction industry alone, a number which will continue to grow if we don’t join forces to expand registered and industry-recognized apprenticeship programs to fill skills gaps.”