ABC Receives Apprenticeship Training Grant from Department of Labor

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Washington, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced on August 12 that it received a $624,300 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for construction apprenticeship training. The money, from DOL's Advancing Registered Apprenticeship into the 21st Century program, was awarded to ABC's Trimmer Education Foundation and will be divided among six ABC chapters and partnerships to expand employment opportunities for those interested in pursing a career in construction, including minorities, women and displaced workers.  

“Despite the economic downturn, we are still facing a severe shortage of construction craft professionals,” said ABC Vice President of Workforce Development Bob Piper. “We are pleased to receive this grant to help prepare and train today's construction workforce for the jobs of the future.”  

Each ABC chapter and partnership will develop and revise program standards according to a three-tiered learning structure: implement a hybrid, online training curriculum that incorporates green construction modules; certify onsite performance evaluators after the completion of each module, or specific area of concentration, such as carpentry, electrical and plumbing; and provide interim credentials for each level completed. Students also may earn college credit for successfully completing the curriculum.  

Grant recipients will use the competency-based Contren Learning Series and Contren Connect interactive online curriculum developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, each chapter and partnership will implement On-the-Job-Learning skills and assessments at every level, and track apprentices" progression through the Computer Based Training model and pre-apprentice certification.  

ABC chapters and partnerships receiving grant funding include the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation, ABC Carolinas Chapter, ABC Empire State Chapter (New York), ABC Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter, ABC Northern Ohio Chapter and ABC of Wisconsin Apprenticeship and Training Trust.                                                                                                                        

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 79 chapters representing 25,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with two million employees. Visit us at www.abc.org.