Contractors’ annual workforce development outlays surpass $1.5 billion

Associated Builders and Contractors member contractors invested $1.6 billion to provide more than 1.3 million course attendees with craft, leadership and safety education in 2021, up from $1.3 billion in 2020. The group’s 2022 Workforce Development Survey quantifies the scope of member initiatives to advance their employees’ commercial and industrial construction careers. Safety education accounted for the greatest share, or…

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Contractors’ annual workforce development tally exceeds $1.5 billion

Source: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C. Associated Builders and Contractors members invested $1.6 billion to provide more than 1.3 million course attendees with craft, leadership and safety education in 2021, according to the group’s 2022 Workforce Development Survey, up from $1.3 billion in 2020. The annual assessment quantifies the scope of ABC member workforce development initiatives to advance employee…

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Wage theft report: Project labor agreements shortchange nonunion workers

The Associated Builders and Contractors is spotlighting a new study highlighting one of the most negative economic impacts on nonunion construction workers, who comprise 87.3 percent of the construction industry workforce. “Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements Result in Lost and Stolen Wages for Employees and Excessive Costs and Liability Exposure for Employers” finds that the limited number of nonunion craft professionals…

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Coalition counters push for project labor agreement mandates

An Associated Builders and Contractors-led coalition of construction industry and business organizations has kicked off a six-figure advocacy campaign aimed at educating taxpayers and members of the U.S. Senate about controversial government-mandated project labor agreements. Build America Local argues that such schemes reduce competition and increase costs for the construction of taxpayer-funded affordable housing, clean energy and infrastructure projects acrosst…

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ORGANIZATIONS – JULY 2021

After eight years as Massachusetts Institute of Technology Concrete Sustainability Hub executive director, Jeremy Gregory has transferred to a position with the newly formed MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium. MIT officials credit his spearheading of impactful research, encouraging connections between lab members, fostering industry partnerships, and greatly expanding the CSHub’s reach and presence nationally and internationally. “His insight, clarity, and…

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Arizona crew builds artful, calming element amid Masonry Madness

The Arizona Masonry Council, Inc. (AMC) demonstrated new approaches for site wall treatments and outdoor living spaces with a crafty exhibit adjacent to the World of Concrete 2021 Masonry Madness center stage. The group credited a solid and screen block display to material, design assistance and labor donations from AZ Best Block, Spec Mix and Oldcastle APG. AMC runs Arizona’s…

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Pandemic measures drive doubling of safety training outlays

Members responding to the Associated Builders and Contractors 2021 Workforce Development Survey invested $1.3 billion last year to provide craft, leadership and safety education to 500,000 course attendees, advancing their careers in commercial and industrial construction. Safety education accounted for 71 percent of the total workforce investment as per-person spending doubled, revealing an elevated focus on total human health during…

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ORGANIZATIONS – JANUARY 2021

The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association has announced new Board, Associate Board and Young Leaders Development Group officers and directors, all for two-year terms. During a late-2020 virtual meeting, Bob Housel of Masters RMC Inc. was elected chairman, Jeff Detwiler of New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. vice chairman, and Jamie Stilley of Amerikohl Aggregates Inc. secretary/treasurer.

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ORGANIZATIONS – DECEMBER 2020

The American Society of Concrete Contractors has named Cleveland general contractor Donley’s Inc. and Davidson, N.C. specialty contractor Wayne Brothers Inc. as W. Burr Bennett Award for Safety Excellence recipients, based on 2019 metrics. The ASCC Safety & Risk Management Council presents the honor in partnership with major underwriter CNA, judging candidates on three years of performance indicators; a self-assessment…

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Five tips for unlocking hidden profits in your concrete business

By all accounts, concrete is a good business these days. Construction and building materials industries are largely considered essential. Work continues despite the current circumstances, though often adjusted to meet new safety requirements and economic conditions. But even without the impact of Covid-19 on life and business, the concrete industry faces unique challenges:

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