In conjunction with the National Championship and AGC’s 90th Annual Convention, AGC of America held its first AGC Campus, a new forum for students and early-career professionals to learn more about careers in construction.  Sponsored by Flatiron Construction Corp., NCCER, Skanska, Stacy & Witbeck, Suffolk Construction, and Turner Construction, over 200 high school and college students convened at the Campus. On the first day, John Tocci, Jr. from Gilbane Building Company kicked off the event with an informative and interactive BIM demonstration. Participants also took advantage of educational sessions on interviewing, internships and a memorable and rocking presentation on the San Diego Hard Rock Hotel Project by Dave Holland from Turner Construction.

The second day kicked off with the AGC Annual Student Chapter Meeting where students got an opportunity to meet with peers, recruiters and other construction professionals. Barry Paceley, Chair of Construction Education Committee and a former student chapter president, kicked off the meeting with an energetic roll call that included over 20 AGC Student Chapters from coast to coast. Arizona State University, winner of the 2008 Outstanding Student Chapter Contest, gave a briefing on their two award winning projects.  Furthermore, the 2009 National Student Champions were recognized. Congratulations to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Colorado State University, and Milwaukee School of Engineering! As a highlight, students were treated to a presentation on the AGC Aon Build America award winning I-35W bridge project by Peter Sanderson from Flatiron Construction Corp.

AGC wants to thank all the sponsors, high school students and teachers along with the participating AGC Student Chapters for making this a successful event. If you would like to learn more about the AGC Campus, please contact Carrie Harper at harperc@agc.org.

Twenty-one teams from colleges across the nation won their regional competitions to earn a spot in the National Student Championship which took place at the AGC 90th Annual Convention & Expo in San Diego, March 3-6, 2009. The AGC National Student Championship evaluates students on their ability to successfully bid, plan and schedule construction projects.  In addition, judges score the teams’ based on their presentation skills, their creativity, their understanding of sound construction techniques and their methodology during a two-day simulated construction project.

Design Build Division sponsored by Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
1st place: Milwaukee School of Engineering
2nd place: Clemson University
3rd place: California State University, Long Beach

Heavy Civil Division sponsored by Flatiron Construction Corp.
1st place: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
2nd place: University of Oklahoma
3rd place: Weber State University

Commercial Building Division sponsored by Turner Construction
1st place: Colorado State University
2nd place: Central Washington University
3rd place: Roger Williams University

AGC of America is excited to be recognizing outside training programs and instructors in our new Education Excellence Awards program. This is the first year for the AGC Education Excellence Awards, designed to recognize the most innovative and collaborative training and development programs sponsored by AGC Chapters and contractor members.

EEAs are open to all AGC general and specialty contractor members in good standing, AGC Chapters and individuals employed by these organizations. Non-members may not apply. Electronic submissions and all supporting material must be received by AGC by 5 PM EST on May 1, 2009. For more information, visit here .

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.

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 October 27-29, 2009 in Atlanta, GA.

On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will host a Webinar for anyone interesting in applying for a grant under its Advancing Registered Apprenticeship into the 21st Century program.

The Webinar will focus on providing prospective applicants with guidance on the requirements for submission of applications, including: eligibility information, required elements of proposals to include plans for creating new, or modifying existing apprenticeship program standards, use of strategic partnerships to promote registered apprenticeship, and the adoption of technology-based learning strategies.

As previously announced, the DOL expects to award $6.5 million in grants to national industry associations, national employer associations, national labor-management organizations, and other organizations that demonstrate the capacity to advance registered apprenticeship through the revision of program standard; expansion into high-growth industries; the use of interim credentialing; the adoption of technology-based learning; and strategic partnerships with the Office of Apprenticeship, the public workforce system, educational institutions, and other key stakeholders.

The Webinar will be held from 3PM to 4:30PM Eastern time on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. Registration is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click here to login to Workforce3 One and register. a link to an online application may be found here.