New Helmets to Hardhats Executive to Lead Construction Pathway Program for Military Servicemembers, Veterans

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North America’s Building Trades Unions and its signatory contractor associations who operate the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment have selected Martin Helms as executive director of the Helmets to Hardhats program. Helms joins Helmets to Hardhats from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, where he served as training director in Akron, Ohio. As a successful Helmets to Hardhats participant, Helms has a passion for the program’s mission and a personal understanding of the career pathways that H2H provides. With over 10 years of joint labor-management apprenticeship … Read more

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Three Part Harmony: Understanding Your Power Tool System

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Is your power tool pairing with its battery and battery charger? The Power Tool Institute says if all three are made by the same manufacturer and designed to work together as a system, then the answer is yes. But, if you’re using a third-party battery or an adapter that purports to allow battery-switching between brands, the answer is a resounding no. You might wonder why choosing only batteries designed to match the tool system matters. But when you look inside, you see that it gets to the very heart of what makes a power tool run safely and efficiently. Power … Read more

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Training Grant Awarded to Erection & Welding Contractors

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The Steel Erectors Association of America has awarded Erection & Welding Contractors, Berlin, Connecticut, with the 2021 SEAA Craft Training Grant. The grant is for member companies who are newly implementing SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training and Assessment programs. It covers initial setup, training for administrators, instructors and coordinators, as well as custom training materials for Ironworker Levels 1-3 or similar curriculum. EWC joined SEAA’s nationwide network of more than 30 training units in the fall of 2020. “Erection & Welding Contractors stood out because of their commitment to the recruitment and education of ironworkers,” said Bryan McClure Chairman of SEAA’s Safety … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Loses 20,300 Jobs in August, Says ABC

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The construction industry lost 3,000 jobs on net in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the monthly setback, the industry has recovered 881,000 (79.2%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic. Nonresidential construction employment declined by 20,300 positions on net, with all three subcategories registering losses for the month. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors lost 9,200 jobs and heavy and civil engineering lost 8,300. Nonresidential building employment dipped by 2,800 positions. The construction unemployment rate fell sharply to 4.6% in August. Unemployment across all … Read more

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Association Reports Construction Spending Posts Small Increase, Coronavirus + Soaring Costs, Supply Disruptions Threaten Further Gains

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Total construction spending ticked up from June to July, as gains in residential and public construction offset a dip in private nonresidential projects, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America recently released. Officials noted, however, that challenges remain for the industry, particularly because of continuing problems with coronavirus flare-ups and supply-chain disruptions. “Although nonresidential construction is no longer in free fall, many categories face continuing challenges,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19 is causing a pullback in re-openings and travel that … Read more

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