The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), has extended until March 31, 2009, the deadline for applying for grants to align the registered apprenticeship, according to an announcement in the Federal Register.

The original deadline was March 16.

A Webinar for prospective applicants will be held for this grant application on March 4, 2009.
Access information for the Webinar will be posted on ETA’s Web site.

The ETA is offering the approximately $6.5 million in grants to promote the 21st century registered apprenticeship framework as outlined in the Final Rule published on October 29, 2008, which revised 20 CFR Part 29, Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs.  Allowable activities may include developing new or modifying existing standards for apprenticeship programs to include competency- or hybrid-based programs; developing curricula to support these standards; using technology-based learning strategies; developing skill assessment tools for competency-based models; and conducting outreach and training efforts to educate staff and partners on the new model(s).

Complete details, including a link to an online application may be found here.

AGC will host, IPD: Lessons from the Trenches on February 26, 2009 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM ET. Don’t miss this important webinar as industry experts John Tocci, Sr. and Jim Frey provide an in-depth look at how Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is changing the construction industry, lessons learned from early adopters and what you can do to benefit from IPD.

Receive 1.5 AIA LUs for participating in this webinar.
Click here for more information and to register.

AGC is currently accepting nominations for individuals interested to represent AGC of America through service on the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) Board of Trustees.
ACCE’s purpose is to promote and improve construction education and research at the postsecondary level, and accredit baccalaureate and associate degree construction education programs.  ACCE accredits construction education programs in colleges and universities that request evaluation and meet its standards and criteria.
Interested individuals should contact Carrie Harper, Director of Education and Student Development, at harperc@agc.org to learn more about this opportunity.

Leaders are needed at every level of the construction company. AGC’s three-day, dynamic Leadership in Construction Workshop explores the differences between being  leaders and managers and provides techniques to to motivate team members to achieve project goals.

Communication skills and conflict resolution techniques and tactics are strengthened through group exercises and discussing real-world experiences. Participants get vital feedback on their leadership abilities through a CheckPoint 360 Evaluation that is administered prior to the workshop and collects input from their boss(es), peers, direct reports and a self-evaluation.

Register today for one of the 2009 AGC Leadership in Construction Workshops:
     • February 18-20, 2009, in Atlanta, GA
     • March 25-27, 2009, in Arlington, VA
     • April 29 – May 1, 2009, in Albany, NY
     • May 20-22, 2009, in San Diego, CA

Participants are eligible to receive the following continuing education credits:
     • 2.7  ANSI/IACET CEUs
     • 27  AIA LUs
     • Continuing Professional Development (CDPs) Units from
        the American Institute of Constructors (AIC)

Contact Becky Koury, kouryr@agc.org, with any questions or for more information regarding AGC’s Leadership in Construction Workshop.

AGC of America is now accepting applications for the first ever series of Education Excellence Awards. The Education Excellence Awards are designed to recognize the most innovative and collaborative training and development programs sponsored by AGC Chapters and contractor members.

One AGC Chapter and one contractor member firm will receive an award in each of three categories: Craft, Supervisory, and Project & Executive Management. One award will be given to the outstanding Instructor of the Year. A Grand Award will be presented to a firm or Chapter that demonstrates learning and performance as a top concern, reaching the highest level of excellence for construction training and development programs at all levels of the organization.

EEAs are open to all AGC general and specialty contractor members in good standing, AGC Chapters and individuals employed by these organizations. Non-members are not eligible for these awards. Electronic submissions and all supporting material must be received by AGC by 5PM EST on May 1, 2009.

Applicants will be judged on the type of program and the major elements of the program, including targeted job functions; enrolled individuals; history of the program; tools, programs and materials used; and demonstrated improved performance, productivity, and success.

The first awards will be presented at the 3rd Annual Training & Development Conference, to be held Oct. 27-29, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more and apply for the Education Excellence Awards today.

AGC of America offers a variety of programs that meet the professional development needs of construction professionals across all levels. Leveraging peer-to-peer training, the use of construction-specific real-world scenarios, and intensive exercises, AGC courses offer practical tools needed to immediately impact your projects or career. Browse the current catalog of events, and check back periodocally for updates.

JANUARY 2009
25-31 |  Construction Project Manager Course | Dallas, TX
26-28 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Tempe, AZ
29-31 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Tempe, AZ
29-30 |  Project Manager Development Program - 
              Module 3: Project Administration | Augusta, ME

FEBRUARY 2009
       5 |  Building a Performance Management System to Hire, Develop
              and Reward Star Talent | Webinar
    5-6 |  STP Instructor Training Workshop | Arlington, VA
    5-6 |  Project Manager Development Program,
              Module 2: Contract Administration | Pittsburgh, PA
    5-7 |  Highway and Utilities Contractors Issues Meeting 
           | Palm Springs, CA
18-20 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Atlanta, GA

MARCH 2009
    4-7 |  AGC Annual Convention | San Diego, CA
18-19 |  Project Manager Development Program,
              Module 3: Project Administration | Pittsburgh, PA
25-27 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Arlington, VA
  29-3 |  Construction Project Manager Course | Dallas, TX

APRIL 2009
       9 |  Building Operations Performance: Turning Your Project 
             Managers into Business Managers | Webinar
  9-10 |  Project Manager Development Program,
              Module 4: Risk Management | Pittsburgh, PA
23-24 |  Annual Construction Labor Law Symposium | Washington, DC
  26-2 |  Advanced Management Program | Dallas, TX
27-30 |  Federal Contractors Conference | Washington, DC
  29-1 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Albany, NY
  30-1 |  Project Manager Development Program,
              Module 5: Leadership | Pittsburgh, PA

MAY 2009
      7 |  Building a Legacy: Ownership Transfer & Leadership 
             Succession | Webinar
20-22 |  AGC-ASPE Estimating Academy | Las Vegas, NE
27-29 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | San Diego, CA

JUNE 2009
    4-5 |  STP Instructor Training Workshop | Omaha, NE
    TBA |  Construction Project Manager Course | West Sacramento, CA

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009 – No Events Currently Scheduled

OCTOBER 2009
    4-9 |  Construction Project Manager Course | Indianapolis, IN
14-16 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Boston, MA
21-23 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | San Diego, CA
22-23 |  AGC-CFMA 13th Annual Construction Financial 
             Management Conference | Las Vegas, NE
26-28 |  HR Professionals Conference | Atlanta, GA
27-29 |  3rd Annual Training & Development Conference  | Atlanta, GA

NOVEMBER 2009
  8-14 |  Advanced Management Program | Dallas, TX
11-13 |  Leadership in Construction Workshop | Cincinnati, OH

DECEMBER 2009
  6-11 |  Construction Project Manager Course | Dallas, TX

Start training today with the AGC Online Institute. With over 30 quality training programs and more on the way, AGC’s Online Institute covers areas such as: project management, safety, environmental and more. AGC’s Online Institute offers a library of online training programs just a mouse click away!

In order to help Chapters and members implement high school construction career academies, AGC will host a Construction Career Academy Workshop from April 22-24, 2009, in Portland, Oregon.

Construction Career Academies are part of AGC of America’s efforts to help provide skilled employees to the construction industry by blending real-world, practical knowledge, and skills into the high school curriculum. A construction career academy incorporates core academic subjects with construction-related courses.

AGC members and chapter staff involved with or interesting in learning about construction career academies are encouraged to attend in this workshop and to bring local educators with them.

The workshop will help participants: learn the steps necessary to establish a construction career academy, explore the advantages of the academy approach, and learn about the resources and support available from AGC of America and other organizations to assist in establishing an academy. Half of the workshop will be spent at the Architecture Construction and Engineering Academy recently opened through the efforts of Oregon-Columbia Chapter, AGC and its affiliates.

Sleeping rooms are available at $159 per night for single or double occupancy, plus tax at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront.

The registration fee for this meeting is $125 per person for AGC members and chapter staff; $150 for non-members (including educators).

Registration is currently available online. For questions about registration, please contact Rockkie Dunton (703)837-5304, duntonr@agc.org.

If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Liz Elvin at (703)837-5389; elvinl@agc.org.

Cut-off date for registration and hotel accommodations is Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania and the Master Builders of Western Pennsylvania recently partnered with AGC of America to deliver the new Project Manager Development Program (PMDP). Released in October 2008, this five-course program is designed for early career project managers and those looking to move into such a role. The courses cover the essential topics of:
    • Module 1: Estimating and Job Costing
    • Module 2: Contract Administration
    • Module 3: Project Administration
    • Module 4: Risk Management
    • Module 5: Leadership

CAWP and MBA partnered together with AGC of America to host these five courses in early 2009 and were met with enthusiasm from the membership. Three courses have sold out and there is limited space available for those who act quickly and register promptly.

The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania, a trade association representing over 200 heavy and highway construction and construction-related companies operating in the thirty-three counties of western Pennsylvania.

The Master Builders’ Association represents the commercial, institutional and industrial building construction industry in Western Pennsylvania.  Since 1886, MBA contractors have set the standard in Western PA for construction excellence by investing in a skilled workforce, implementing award-winning safety programs and offering the best in management expertise.

Take advantage of member discounts on educational programs by joining one of AGC’s 96 Chapters. Visit the AGC Online Bookstore to view our full selection of products and programs or request a 2009 AGC Products and Services Catalogue.

To learn more about PMDP or hosting PMDP at your company or organization please visit  www.agc.org/PMDP or contact Amy Fields or Stephanie Mullins at curriculum@agc.org or (703) 837-5387.

Registration for AGC's 90th Annual Convention & CONSTRUCTOR Expo is open for students and faculty. This year AGC has a full program for AGC Student Chapters. The National Student Championship will take place March 3-7, 2009. 

Join recent college graduates and other students at the AGC Campus where you can participate in programs and discussions with industry experts and meet with leading firms in the construction industry to explore new career opportunities. The AGC Student Chapter meeting will take place on Friday, March 6, 2009. Here are the important dates and times for the student chapters:

Wednesday, March 4:
1:30 pm – 3 pm:  Education Sessions Begin - Green Construction, Marketing and Executive Management.
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm:  Opening Convention Session featuring Dr. Robert Ballard

Thursday, March 5:
10:00 am - 3:00 pm:   AGC Campus hours
10:00 am - 3:00 pm:   AGC Student Chapter Booth
12:00 noon - 5:00 pm:  National Student Championship Presentations
6:00 pm:   WILLIS San Diego Beach Party

Friday, March 6:
10:00 am – 1:00 pm:  AGC Campus Hours
10:00 am – 1:00 pm:  AGC Student Chapter Booth
10:00 am:   Annual Student Chapter Meeting

Registrants pay one low price to attend Convention meetings and educational sessions, WILLIS Party, the Constructor Expo and AGC Campus. Register now for AGC Campus  or contact Carrie Harper with questions at harperc@agc.org.

Ohio Highway Guy Dave Finley talks with high school students about careers in highway construction while seated in his custom-outfitted career mobile.

A few years ago, Dave Finley looked around at the construction industry and decided if the industry was going to make any headway in its efforts to attract young people, it was going to have to find a “ground game,” to borrow a football term.

He took his decades of experience working for public relations and the Ohio Department of transportation and hatched a plan to go meet high school students and counselors, in small groups: enter the construction career mobile. Then, he took his idea to the Ohio Contractors Association (the statewide AGC highway chapter), the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the Laborers International Union of North America.

The three organizations agreed to back his idea, a costly proposition, with each providing more than $100,000 to buy and outfit the career mobile. The annual budget of about $250,000 is still split evenly among the three groups.

“This is not flashy. This is one-on-one direct marketing,” says Mr. Finley, who has spoken directly to 14,000 high school students and 1,100 guidance counselors since the truck was put on the road in January 2007. “I think they’re both very important audiences,” he says, adding that he meets separately with students and counselors.

While getting access to the schools is certainly no problem now – by early last month he already was booked through April 2009 - in the beginning, it was a bit of work to persuade schools that their students needed to learn about careers in construction.

He used his pre-experience and his determination to sift through websites of high schools all over Ohio. “I found the names of counselors and sent them personal emails that talked about their school and their community. It took hundreds of hours.” However, the payoff was huge, with 90 percent of the schools agreeing to set up visits with their students.

Mr. Finley typically spends at least one full day at each school, sometimes as much as a week if it’s a career center, which typically serves more than one high school and offers vocational programs, such as masonry, carpentry, welding, etc. There are 60 career centers in Ohio and Mr. Finley calls them “a primary source for the industry’s labor pool,” adding that he could book 70 percent of his time just visiting the state’s career centers.

He meets the students around the career mobile’s conference table, which holds eight people at a time. “If I go into a classroom or an auditorium, I’m just another guest speaker and not every pays attention. But, if I meet them in the career mobile, the students are lively and full of questions.”

The truck was outfitted to be flashy with lots of color, brochures and a front-end loader equipment simulator at one end. He talks with the students about the industry, about the variety of jobs, including the crafts, civil engineering, construction technology and construction management. “We’re offering something that gives hopes to some kids that haven’t been exposed to something they can do. I feel like we’ve made a difference. I can see lights come on in both students and counselors.”

Mr. Finley sends each student home with a 12-page brochure “Your Career in Highway Construction” that includes toll-free phone numbers for the Operating Engineers’ and the Laborers’ statewide apprenticeship offices. When students call, they are connected to a real person who is highly skilled at his job. Students are asked what county they live in and then are given the address and phone number of the local union, plus information on when the local will next be taking applications. The feedback from the unions has been very positive. “The phones are ringing, applications are being made,” says Mr. Finley. Unfortunately the unions have not been tracking how many students actually make it through the application process into the apprenticeship programs, something he is working with them to change.

“The key is to take the young person by the hand and encourage them at every step of the way.”

He also has individual brochures from each union, as well as AGC of America’s Hot Jobs/Cool Careers brochure.

For the guidance counselors, Mr. Finley concentrates on the wages and benefits, the free training, and, because most of them don’t understand work by contract, he explains how highway construction contractors bid and win Department of Transportation jobs.

“I feel like we’ve made a difference. I can see the lights come on in both students and counselors.”

It definitely is a labor of love. Mr. Finley spends more than 200 nights in hotels each year. He typically leaves home Sunday night and doesn’t return until Friday afternoon. In addition to high schools, career fairs, and career centers, Mr. Finley also visits prisons, mostly during the summer when school’s not in session. He has a good relationship with a number of community-based correctional facilities and youth services facilities, where he speaks with pre-selected groups. “They’re very good audiences and I feel I can give them a lot of hope” Neither the operating engineers’ nor the laborers’ unions ask about past convictions during the application process.

“I love spending time with these young people,” says Mr. Finley. I feel like I make a difference every day.”

Find out more information about Dave Finley and the Ohio Highway Guy program.