Graduation season is upon us, and along with it comes the age-old question: What’s next? For some, college is a clear choice, while others may be seeking alternatives to higher education. No matter their future aspirations, graduating in a recovery-mode economy leaves the career path forward unpredictable. With an alarming shortage of workers in the skilled trades, PeopleReady Skilled Trades urges new graduates to consider a job in this growing sector. In the past 30 days, over 119,000 jobs have been posted for skilled trades-related jobs, bringing the number of active skilled trades job openings across the U.S. to roughly … Read more
Leadership, Craft Training Experts Launch Workforce Development Program
Okos Partners LLC and Crane Industry Services LLC have launched TradeUp, a collaborative partnership program providing workforce development services for employers seeking skilled craft professionals. “Traditionally, it takes four years, eight organizations and a network of industry, education, community and training organizations to get one person career ready,” said Peter Krammer, senior partner of Okos Partners. “That process can be daunting for prospective employees and employers.” TradeUp offers a fresh approach to the skills gap problem by working with employers to plan, create and implement a workforce solution that directly connects education and community-funding sources with employers to help people … Read more
ABC Announces New Director of National Craft Championships
Associated Builders and Contractors has hired Jarrell Jackson as the director of ABC’s National Craft Championships and Construction Workforce Awards. Jackson brings nearly 15 years of program management experience to ABC’s NCC and CWA, two hallmark programs that highlight the best of the best in the construction industry. While promoting and celebrating skilled trades and careers in construction, Jackson will serve as the ABC national staff liaison to the NCC Committee and as the liaison amongst ABC strategic partners, training sponsors and outside resources in a workforce development subject matter expert capacity. Jackson will support ABC chapters and their members … Read more
ABC Announces Second Chance Month, Construction Looking to Hire Reentering Citizens
Associated Builders and Contractors is committed to shaping an industry that welcomes all people. As part of Second Chance Month, ABC has highlighted the programs, partnerships and involvement of its chapters and members across the country in educating, upskilling and hiring reentering citizens. “Second Chance Month raises awareness around the value that reentering citizens can bring to the construction workforce,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “These individuals have paid their debt to society and should be given the opportunity to achieve their newly found career dreams, and these inspiring stories highlight how … Read more
Construction Employment Rebounds in March, Rising Costs + More Threaten Outlook Says AGC
Construction employment climbed by 110,000 in March as the industry recovered from severe winter weather that pushed employment down by 56,000 in February, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials said they were encouraged by the recent job gains and the potential for new infrastructure investments. But they cautioned that rising prices and erratic delivery schedules for key construction materials — as documented in their recent Construction Inflation Alert – and continued project cancellations could undermine the sector’s recovery. “The rebound in March is certainly good news, but contractors face … Read more