With a passion for problem-solving and a heart for teaching, project manager Ronny Gillespie is living in his “sweet spot.” By day, Gillespie manages construction projects for Walker & Whiteside, a leading design-build electrical contractor in Greenville, S.C. After hours, he “pays it forward” as an instructor for the rigorous, four-year Upstate South Carolina Electrical…
Apprenticeships
Upstate S.C. Electrical Apprenticeship Program Celebrates Four Newly Registered Electricians
Four newly registered electricians were lauded by their employer, course instructors and industry peers at a private graduation ceremony in Greenville, S.C., on Friday, September 6, 2019. The celebration recognized the group’s successful completion of a rigorous four-year, electrical apprenticeship program registered with the S.C. Department of Labor. The Upstate Electrical Apprenticeship Program is a partnership among…
ABC Carolinas Chapter Recognizes Class of 2019 Apprenticeship & Craft Training Graduates
Charlotte, NC — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Carolinas Chapter celebrated the graduating Class of 2019 for the Chapter’s Apprenticeship & Craft Training Program by hosting the ceremony at the Charlotte Knights baseball game on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Included in the festivities was a Keynote Address by Kathryn Castelloes, ApprenticeshipNC Director, and the pre-game…
CarolinaPower Apprentices Place in Charleston Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) Competition
CarolinaPower’s Richie Seely and Branden Panausuia placed in the 2019 Apprenticeship Skills Competition hosted this spring by Charleston’s Trident Technical College. Seely took second place in the First-Year Apprentices division while Punausuia came in third among Second-Year Apprentices. The 2019 Apprenticeship Skills competition was part of the annual Electricians Fair and Career Day jointly sponsored…
Recruiting
FlexJobs’ Survey Explores Varying Workplace Attitudes of Millennials and Older Workers
FlexJobs released new insights from its August 2018 survey, which gathered responses from over 3,000 workers about key topics related to career, work flexibility, and workplace issues. FlexJobs specifically analyzed and compared responses from members of the millennial generation with those who identified with the baby boomer or silent generation to uncover differences and similarities…
Construction Employment Increases, Despite Challenges Finding Talent
Construction employment increased in 256 out of 358 metro areas between April 2017 and April 2018, declined in 63 and was unchanged in 39, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the data showed a continuation of strong labor demand…
Spring 2018 Career Fairs
With the strong economy and growing demand for construction services, construction firms are seeking employees at all levels of their organizations. The GroundBreak Carolinas staff has compiled a list of upcoming construction management career fairs. Clemson Feb. 6 NC State Feb. 7 NC A&T Feb. 22 ECU Feb. 28 Are you aware of another career…
Go Build America Launching December 2017
Before Go Build was launched in 2010, the organizers looked at the multitude of approaches that industry organizations and associations had taken over the years in an attempt to address the continued labor crisis and communicate with young people about the trades. The Go Build Team quickly realized – just as those groups did –…
Safety
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Construction: Liability, Recordability, and Financial Implications
Over the past few weeks, it’s become clear that the world is facing a remarkable health crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has now been detected in most countries worldwide, creating personal, practical, and legal implications for those in the construction industry. To address business considerations of the COVID-19 threat, employers should consider multiple categories of concern:…
Commentary: Changing Behavior that Leads to Bad Choices
GroundBreak Carolinas is always looking for industry experts to weigh-in on important topics such as workforce development, safety and the economy. Responding to this safety related question is Tony Morris, safety manager for CarolinaPower, a leading electrical contractor with four offices in South Carolina. The construction industry’s approach to safety is beginning to shift after many…
Registration Open: 25th Annual Eastern Carolina Safety & Health Conference (April 30-May 1)
The 25th Annual Eastern Carolina Safety & Health conference is scheduled for April 30-May 1, 2020 at the East Carolina University (ECU) Main Campus Student Center, 501 E. 10th St., Greenville, NC 27858. Festivities include the 10th Annual Golf Tournament on April 29 at Ironwood Golf & Country Club. The Conference flier reads: Join us…
Spotlight on David Lynn: Founder and President, Peak Safety Performance
Peak Safety Performance is a regional safety consulting firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. Performance minded and character driven, the company’s approach is simple and intentional; Peak’s expert safety consultants help companies build a successful safety culture through strategic planning, performance improvement, and leadership development. Owner and President David Lynn founded Peak Safety Performance in…
Training
Duke Energy Awards $3.2 million to Innovative Education Programs
Duke Energy announcedit is awarding $3.2 million in grants to support 131 innovative K-12 education programs across the communities served by the company. “Bright futures begin in the classroom, and every child deserves a fair chance at academic success,” said Cari Boyce, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “The grants we are making today are…
NCCER Releases New Construction Superintendent Certification Program
NCCER has released a new superintendent assessment and is partnering with FMI® to offer a joint certification to qualified professionals in the superintendent field. The assessment was developed in conjunction with subject matter experts for professionals whose primary role is to oversee the operations of a construction site from planning to completion. This joint certification…
Kirlin Holds Mechanical Systems Seminar for GC Interns and Early Career Employees in Carolinas
The Carolinas offices of Kirlin hosted a total of five “lunch & learns” in Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., and Greenville, S.C., attended by over 150 general contractor interns and early career employees. The purpose was to learn more about the mechanical trade and how Kirlin remains at the forefront of mechanical systems, technology and products. …
Tax Reform Enables ABC Members to Hire and Train More Construction Industry Workers
As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December 2017, 55 percent of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) contractor members plan to hire more employees, and 52 percent plan to invest in workforce development, according to a recent poll. In addition, 90 percent of member companies say employees have seen an…
Veterans Programs
ABC, USVBA Agree to Promote Veteran Construction Businesses
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the U.S. Veterans Business Alliance (USVBA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on expanding the participation of veteran and disabled veteran businesses in the merit shop construction industry. “ABC members are committed to achieving a fully inclusive and culturally competent workforce that is welcoming to all people,…
Making the Move from Military to Industry
I’ll admit, I’m in awe of the range of skills our veterans are learning in the military—from pipefitting to heavy equipment operation—and the connection to our industry. It seems like it would be a natural transition from the military to industry but it can be complicated. Terminology in skill levels and jobs are just a…
A Month For Heroes
November is a month that we traditionally try to give thanks and acknowledge the good in our lives. We get together with friends and family; we cook big meals or find a quiet restaurant; we share something we’re thankful for each day on social media; and we hope that we’re able to sneak home leftover…
Hard Hat Heroes Expansion Provides More Opportunities for Veterans
NCCER is excited to celebrate the one year anniversary of their Hard Hat Heroes Credentialing Portal this Veterans Day. NCCER salutes our veterans by providing resources to help create a seamless transition into the construction workforce. The Build Your Future (BYF) military initiative, Hard Hat Heroes, provides a way for veterans to receive NCCER credentials…
More Workforce
Guest Commentary: “Selling” Plumbing/HVAC Careers to Our Youth
GroundBreak Carolinas is always looking for industry experts to weigh-in on important topics such as workforce development, safety and the economy. Kathie Blackwell is director of field recruitment & development for J.A. Croson, LLC, one of the Southeast’s premier mechanical contracting firms with an office in Charlotte and a growing presence in both Carolinas. Blackwell…
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Construction: Liability, Recordability, and Financial Implications
Over the past few weeks, it’s become clear that the world is facing a remarkable health crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has now been detected in most countries worldwide, creating personal, practical, and legal implications for those in the construction industry. To address business considerations of the COVID-19 threat, employers should consider multiple categories of concern:…
Commentary: Changing Behavior that Leads to Bad Choices
GroundBreak Carolinas is always looking for industry experts to weigh-in on important topics such as workforce development, safety and the economy. Responding to this safety related question is Tony Morris, safety manager for CarolinaPower, a leading electrical contractor with four offices in South Carolina. The construction industry’s approach to safety is beginning to shift after many…
Registration Open: 25th Annual Eastern Carolina Safety & Health Conference (April 30-May 1)
The 25th Annual Eastern Carolina Safety & Health conference is scheduled for April 30-May 1, 2020 at the East Carolina University (ECU) Main Campus Student Center, 501 E. 10th St., Greenville, NC 27858. Festivities include the 10th Annual Golf Tournament on April 29 at Ironwood Golf & Country Club. The Conference flier reads: Join us…
