AGC was notified of a casting call for inter-generational “friendly rivals” as contestants for a new reality competition series. The new reality show will pair two people from different generations to work as a team - father and son, professor and student, uncle and niece, foreman and laborer… You need not be related by blood or even in the same line of work.

If chosen for the series, teams will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel the country, do the extraordinary, and win extraordinary prizes. Some experience with outdoor activities or fields such as mechanics, building, engineering, or architecture is a plus, but all industries will be considered.

Teammates should be at least 10 years apart – ideally 15 or more. The younger of the two must be over 18 years old. Email newtvshowcasting@gmail.com with a brief description of yourselves; please include your ages, professional backgrounds and a note about your competitive rivalry. You may attach photos and any relevant links. If you fit the qualifications, a casting producer will be in touch.

The construction industry’s adoption of Building Information Modeling is happening swiftly. Every day, more contractors are taking advantage of the BIM Education Program, a four-course curriculum that addresses technology, contract negation, process and adoption issues, at AGC Chapters so they’re not left behind.

The series delivers cutting-edge training to contractors that are starting their BIM journey and want to learn best practices from industry leaders and early-adopters. The four courses in the BIM Education Program are:
• Unit 1: BIM 101—An Introduction to Building Information Modeling (available now)
• Unit 2: BIM Technology (available now)
• Unit 3: BIM Contract Negotiation and Risk Allocation (available November 2010)
• Unit 4: BIM Process, Adoption, and Integration (available December 2010)

The new AGC BIM credential, the Certificate in Management—Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM) is the construction industry’s first and only BIM Certificate Program that teaches the practical application of the BIM process. Participants in the required four courses are able to apply to take the CM-BIM assessment. Individuals who successfully pass the exam will achieve the credential. The CM-BIM will be first available in the spring of 2011. Updates regarding release and availability will be posted as they become available.

AGC Chapter course dates and locations are updated regularly, and can be found on the BIM Education Program Calendar. Upcoming courses scheduled in November include:
• AGC of California
• AGC of Washington
• AGC of Wisconsin
• AGC of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
• San Antonio Chapter

To participate in a course or for an update on additional course offerings, contact your local AGC Chapter. For questions regarding the BIM Education Program and CM-BIM, contact Amy Fields or Stephanie Mullins at curriculum@agc.org.

AGC is currently accepting applications for the 2011 Education Excellence Awards, which recognize the most innovative and collaborative training and development programs.

AGC accepts both self- and third-party nominations for these awards, which are presented annually at the fall Training & Development Conference. AGC general and specialty contractor members in good standing, AGC Chapters, and individuals employed by these organizations are eligible to apply.

A brochure about the awards and downloadable PDF application forms are available online.

Winners receive a crystal award, presented at the annual fall Training, Education & Development Conference, and are asked to give a presentation at the conference about their winning program. Presentations from past winners also are available online.

Deadline for all submissions is April 4, 2011.

For questions, please contact Liz Elvin at elvinl@agc.org.

California State Chico, Iowa State and Kansas State Universities are all winners in AGC’s Outstanding Student Chapter contest!

California State University, Chico AGC Student Chapter was selected as the top student group, largely for its work building new transitional housing for victims of domestic violence.  The project consisted of 266 students who built two 840 square feet houses in nine days.  The effort totaled roughly 15,000 man-hours, including planning and developing and post-project work.  In addition to the transitional housing project, the students renovated a local emergency homeless shelter, Torres Shelter, by adding on additional sleeping rooms and offices.  The University chapter was also named one of the best chapters last year.  Thanks to their accomplishments, the student chapter will receive $1,500 to help finance their operations.

Iowa State University Associated General Contractors was selected as the second-best student group thanks to its work building new handicap accessible ramps along the Skunk River Water Trail in Ames, Iowa.  The group brought together many local organizations to invest nearly 300 man-hours building these ramps. As a result, it will receive $750 from the association.

Kansas State University’s AGC Student Chapter was named the nation’s third-best student construction group for its continued efforts in rebuilding the Hurricane-devastated city of New Orleans.  A group of 25 volunteers invested over 900 hours to help renovate the homes of three Katrina victims, which involved a wide range of residential construction tasks and also a roofing job.  Kansas State was also a recipient of one the awards last year.  The association will provide the chapter with $400.

A panel of six judges representing a cross-section of the construction industry evaluated the applications for this year’s Student Chapter Awards contest.  School groups were rated based on their accomplishments during the 2009-2010 school year.  There are approximately 200 university-level student construction groups nationwide. AGC student chapters exist to encourage and support student interest in the professional construction industry. Congratulations to all the winners!

For more information, contact Carrie Harper at (703) 837-5316 or harperc@agc.org.

Are you interested in continuing education and have been thinking about (or want to know more about) AGC’s Supervisory Training Program?

There are still three webinars left in the Supervisory Training Program Webinar Series! Designed for early-career construction supervisors and those looking to make a move into such a role, each 90-minute webinar will provide a portion of the content found in STP units to provide participants with important skills that are crucial to the success of projects. Participants also have the option to purchase the corresponding STP manual as a reference when registering. The webinar schedule is:

•Accident Prevention and Loss Control for Construction Supervisors—Thursday, November 18, 2010—2:00-3:30 PM ET
•Problem Solving and Decision Making for Construction Supervisors—Tuesday, December 7, 2010—2:00-3:30 PM ET

Registrants are able to decide whether or not to purchase the course manual as a reference when registering. Learn more about this program here.

Registration is also open for the 2010 STP Instructor Training Workshop, Nov. 4-5 in Denver, Colorado. Instructors and course administrators who are interested in kicking off an STP course schedule at their chapter or company or strengthening their instructor expertise should attend. Additional information can be found at here. This program is quickly approaching so register now!

Please contact AGC at curriculum@agc.org or (703) 837-5387 with questions on any of these programs.

Nearly 100 people attended AGC of America’s 4th Annual Training & Development Conference to listen to speakers give presentations on such subjects as turning generational diversity into a competitive advantage; creating effective communication  between industry and academia; and working with subject matter experts who aren’t great communicators.

AGC past president Doug Pruitt of Sundt Construction opened the conference with a moving speech about the importance of training and development at the company level, as well as the importance of construction companies engaging their local educational communities to help increase the high school graduation rate and potential pool of future workers.

Pruitt also announced the winners of the 2nd AGC Education Excellence Awards (see related story). The 2011 awards program is now accepting applications. Deadline for submissions is April 4, 2011.

Also speaking to the attendees were Mark Minter, executive director of the Arizona Builders’ Alliance; Thomas Arn,attorney Ogletree Deakins and chairman of the Employment Practices Committee of AGC’s Arizona Chapter; and Michael Kenig, vice chairman of Holder Construction Company and chairman of the newly formed AGC Training, Education & Development Forum, which he encouraged the attendees to join and become active in.

Copies of the presentations and handouts are available on the “conference materials” page.

Dates and a location have not yet been set for the 2011 T&D Conference.

The AGC Construction Project Manager Course (PMC) provides you and your project managers the chance to hone the skills necessary to work more efficiently, increase productivity and propel your construction business to the next level.  PMC is the perfect opportunity for either the well-rounded project manager who has a bright future with your company or for a talented tradesman who has worked his or her way up to PM and could use a bit of polishing around the edges.  Everyone who goes through the program has something to gain over the course of six intense days of workshops, assignments, team building activities and other relevant exercises.
 
PMC participants experience an interactive program that explores 15 critical areas of project management seasoned project managers tackle on a daily basis, from business management and communications skills to legal issues and contracts.  AGC updates course content on a regular basis to keep current with industry trends and offers turnkey solutions participants can take back to share with colleagues, including problem solving techniques, team building and wellness initiatives.

AGC’s widely-recognized Construction PMC offers participants 42 hours of professional development with the opportunity to receive continuing education credits for the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (ANSI/IACET) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), as well as continuing professional development (CPD) units by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC). In addition to credit hours toward licensing and other professional designations, at the end of the week PMC graduates leave the course with a new arsenal of techniques, an expanded network of professional mentors and colleagues, and the empowerment to bring their very best to project management and your customers. Space is still available for December 2010. Register today!

Save-the-Date for 2011:
Dallas, TX:  Feb 27- Mar 3, 2011
Chicago, IL:  May 8-13, 2011
Dallas, TX:  Dec 4-9, 2011