The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has provided $750 million for a program of competitive grants for worker training and placement in high-growth and emerging industry sectors, including construction.

Of that amount, $500 million is targeted for research, labor exchange, and job training projects that prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy as defined in the Green Jobs Act, including: energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofitting; renewable electric power; deconstruction and materials use; and energy efficiency assessment for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Under provisions of the Green Jobs Act, which was signed into law as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, priority for grants would be given to those entities that train in both the areas listed above and target the following populations:

• Workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy;
• Individuals in need of updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries;
• Veterans, or past and present members of reserve components of the Armed Forces;
• Unemployed individuals;
• Individuals, including at-risk youth, seeking employment pathways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency; and
• Formerly incarcerated, adjudicated, non-violent offenders.

These competitive grants will be administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which plans to issue Solicitations for Grant Awards (SGA) no later than June 30, 2009. The SGA will provide specific requirements for use of the funds, certification, data reporting, performance measures, and other necessary information.

Chapters that engage in training programs, especially those connected with a joint-labor management training program, should think about ways to connect the targeted populations listed above with construction training, particularly jobs connected with building renewable energy sources (such as windmill farms), new green construction, and retrofitting of existing construction. The Obama Administration is very focused on connecting low-income populations with “green jobs.”

At this point, there is no additional information available on the grants. However, AGC is supporting legislation that is expected to be introduced next week by Congressman John Kline, Minnesota Republican, that would eliminate the Green Jobs Act’s current mandate that eligible nonprofit entities partner with “industry, including public or private employers, and labor organizations, including joint labor-management training programs.”

Under Congressman Kline’s amendment, joint labor-management training programs would still qualify for the program, but merit shop training programs also would be eligible.

AGC of America will continue to publish updated information on our Web site: www.agc.org and through our publications, including The Knowledge Source.

DOL will publish the grant opportunities on its Recovery Web site.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research’s (NCCER) Crane Operator Certification Program has received accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The crane certification program is a collaboration of NCCER, North American Crane Bureau (NACB), and Prov™.

“Having our crane operator program receive ANSI accreditation is a remarkable achievement for our organization,” said Don Whyte, NCCER president.  “It further validates that our program meets the highest professional certification standards for crane operators across the industry.”

The Crane Operator Certification Program identifies individuals with the professional knowledge and skills worthy of being designated as certified crane operators.  It includes both written assessments and practical examinations that meet or exceed current ASME B30.5 consensus safety standards, as well as OSHA 1910 standards, for mobile crane operators. Assessments are available in four categories: telescopic boom, lattice boom, boom truck, and industrial/all-purpose cranes.

Written assessments are administered throughout the country by NCCER Accredited Assessment Centers meeting the crane endorsement requirements, and the practical examinations are given by certified practical examiners. Practical examiner certification workshops are administered by NACB.

The program is structured so a crane operator can take the written assessment and practical examination and receive results back the same day. An operator’s certification is good for five years.

NCCER is working with states and cities that have implemented crane standards to ensure that the NCCER program is a recognized certification program.

Among the various tools used to identify and enhance leadership and communication skills, graduates of AGC’s Leadership in Construction Workshop cite the Personal Action Plan as one of the top take-a-ways of this program. Here are some of the comments from 2008 and spring 2009 graduates:

“The workbooks lead you down the path to create and utilize your action plans in a way that is focused enough to be useful."

“Change is not easy, but now I have the tools to change.”

“Content really helped raise awareness to the breakdown of skills that are available within the overall skill itself.”

As participants delve into each module, instructors provide time for group discussion for participants to identify key tactics and strategies to focus on based on the lesson. The Action Plan is not a data dump of ideas compiled at the end of the workshop, but a device that is unique to the individual, created with insight from their peers and instructors.

2009 AGC Leadership in Construction Workshop Schedule
May 27-29, 2009 in San Diego, CA*
September 29 – October 1, 2009 in Atlanta, GA*
October 14-16, 2009 in San Diego, CA*
November 11-13, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH

*AGC is offering a reduced cost for local attendees at select locations.

Special Tuition Rate:
AGC Members with hotel accommodations: $2,495
AGC Members without hotel accommodations: $1,695

Non-Members with hotel accommodations: $3,080
Non-Member without hotel accommodations: $2,285

For more information, please contact education@agc.org.

The AGC Construction Education Committee (CEC) meeting will be held June 9-11, 2009, at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. The CEC will overlap with the AGC Building Contractors Conference and the two will come together for a joint meeting on June 11, 2009.
 
All participants must register for this event. Note, there is a $75.00 registration charge for this meeting.

If you wish to attend the entire AGC Building Contractors Conference, please register separately.

View the registration form and schedule here.

All AGC chapters and general and specialty contractor members are encouraged to get their applications together for the new Education Excellence Awards program before the May 1 deadline.

AGC has waived the requirement that the application be submitted online. We have created downloadable applications in PDF format that are available on our Web site to make it easier for chapters and members to apply. Please contact Liz Elvin at elvinl@agc.org if you have questions.

Please note: All applications and supporting material must be received by AGC by 5 p.m. EST on May 1, 2009.

EEAs are designed to recognize the most innovative and collaborative training and development programs sponsored by AGC chapters and contractor members.

Awards will be given out in the following categories:
     • Craft (one to a member and one to a chapter)
     • Supervisory (one to a member and one to a chapter)
     • Project & Executive Management (one to a member and one to a chapter)

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.

The first awards will be presented at the joint HR Professionals and Training & Development Conferences, to be held Oct. 28-29 in Atlanta, Georgia. Don’t miss out on this exciting new program.

For more information about this new awards program, visit here .

On April 16th from 2:00 PM -3:30 PM EDT, expert economists Jim Haughey (Reed Construction Data), Ken Simonson (AGC of America), and Kermit Baker (AIA) are joining forces to deliver a webcast on the comprehensive economic outlook of the construction industry, with a special focus on the impact of the federal economic stimulus package.

Topics will include: 
      • The impact of the recession;
      • Federal economic stimulus package;
      • Key market trends of the U.S. construction market; and
      • A look ahead.

For more information and to register, click here!

Red Cross Blood Drives, Habitat for Humanity and Katrina Relief are just some of the ways AGC Student Chapters are working in their communities nationwide.  The AGC Outstanding Student Chapter Contest recognizes the top three accomplishments made by AGC’s Student Chapters each year.  Past winners have included Iowa State University, Boise State University, and Arizona State University. AGC of America is proud to contribute prizes to the top three AGC Student Chapters of:
    • First Place:                 $1500
    • Second Place:              $750
    • Third Place:                 $400

All the student chapters are commended for their dedication to community and public service projects.  These chapter activities continue to serve as a positive reflection of student life and the industry as a whole. For eligibility and further details, please download an application and encourage your local student chapter to apply today!

Applications are being accepted until May 15, 2009.

The 2009 Estimating Academy, presented by AGC of America and the American Society of Professional Estimators, will be held on May 20-22, 2009, in Las Vegas, NV, at The Harrah’s.

This two-and-a-half day course will cover current topics like LEED® - Estimating for Green Buildings, Estimating with Electronic Documents, Managing Preconstruction, and Conceptual Estimating. In addition, attendees can take part in a half-day of specialty instruction featuring mechanical or electrical estimating. Space is limited, please register today. The deadline for making a hotel reservation is April 29, 2009.

This program is most appropriate for junior and senior estimators. Those who successfully complete this program will qualify for 2 IACET CEUs and 19 AIA LUs .

For more information and to register for this event, please contact Carrie Harper via email at harperc@agc.org.

AGC’s Supervisory Training Program (STP) is a construction-specific training curriculum developed, updated and field tested by and for contractors. To help new instructors get their feet wet and improve their delivery and company leaders learn more about STP, AGC will host a STP Instructor Training Workshop on June 4-5, 2009 in Omaha, NE.

Designed to enhance training results for those who host STP courses, the STP Instructor Training Workshop is a two-day event that provides the skills essential to effectively instruct STP courses — specifically how to teach adult learners, encourage interaction among STP participants and use the STP manuals to prepare for and deliver courses.

Also, participants will learn how to incorporate visual aids into the curriculum and get the most out of the instructor materials. Each workshop participant will have an opportunity to give a presentation and test newly learned skills and receive constructive feedback.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to improve your STP results! Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis — limited spots are available! The registration deadline is May 8, 2009. Learn more and register today.

If you have questions about the STP or the Instructor Training Workshop, contact Stephanie Mullins at mullinss@agc.org or (703) 837-5387, or visit www.agc.org/STP.

BIM 101: An Introduction to Building Information Modeling is AGC’s newest educational resource and is the first part of AGC’s BIM Education Program. BIM 101 is a full-day course designed specifically for construction professionals eager to learn the essential concepts of BIM and will provide participants with a comprehensive overview to prepare them for future BIM Education Program courses.

This high-quality, content-rich program gives construction professionals, building developers, owners, designers, construction product manufacturers and others in the AEC community a compelling new resource to position individuals and firms to proactively move forward with BIM adoption.

The BIM Education Program brochure provides details about all BIM courses.

BIM 101 is offered at many of AGC’s 95 chapters, in addition to a range of construction firms and educational institutions. Course offerings are scheduled frequently. Initial dates include:
• AGC of America BIMForum, Dallas, TX – May 27, 2009
• AGC of Connecticuit , Wethersfield, CT – May 15 and 16, 2009
• AGC of DC, Washington, DC – April 7, 2009
• AGC of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT – May 6, 2009
• San Antonio Chapter, San Antonio, TX – May 7, 2009

Learn more about the entire BIM Education Program. Contact Amy Fields, Senior Director, Curriculum and Program Development, for additional information on BIM 101 at 703-837-5360 or curriculum@agc.org.