The Construction Users Roundtable recognized both the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Associated General Contractors earlier this month for their efforts to promote construction workforce training and recruitment. at CURT’s 2004 National Conference in Palm Spring, Calif., on Nov. 8-10.
CURT, an association of companies with a goal of keeping construction costs competitive, awarded several construction contractors and associations with Construction Safety Awards and Workforce Development Awards. Winners were selected from hundreds of entries received nationally from trade associations, contractors, unions, labor associations and school systems.
“As the construction industry continues to struggle with the ongoing labor shortage in the U.S., it is imperative that we recognize the importance of high-level training, education and recruitment to encourage more individuals to pursue careers in construction,” said Kirk Pickerel, president of ABC .
The Associated General Contractors received a CURT Workforce Development Award for its development of the Build Up! tool kit, which takes fifth grade students on explorations in construction through interactive posters, videos, a supplement on the highway system and a book titled Up Goes the Skyscraper. Through the kit’s tools, students learn about the challenges the construction industry faces, and job opportunities that are available with construction careers. On Site!,another multi-media program developed by AGC, serves as a follow up to Build Up! The program is geared toward social studies and math classes in middle/junior high school, and focuses on how the construction industry impacts students’ lives. It also looks into the history of construction.
AGC’s East Ridge High School Construction Career Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., won the Workforce Development Honorable Mention Award. The academy, which opened its doors in 2002, combines traditional high school academics and construction career training.
ABC’s Northern Ohio chapter in Broadview Heights, Ohio, also received a CURT development award for its apprenticeship and training program, and for forming the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation, which focuses on craft and safety training.
Several construction companies that are ABC members were also recognized at the CURT award ceremony with Construction Safety Awards. Broadmoor, LLC, of Metairie, La., and Barton Malow of Southfield, Mich., received an honorable mention in the “building construction: general contractors and operative builders” category. Boh Bros. Construction and Performance Contractors, both of Baton Rouge, La., and S & B Engineers and Constructors of Houston received the award in the “heavy construction other than building construction” category. Insulations, Inc., of Harahan, La., QCI Thermal Systems of West Burlington, Iowa, Tracer Construction Company of Houston, and Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure of Baton Rouge all received constructor safety awards for the “construction special trades” category.
To find out more about CURT, click on the link to the right.
