Four newly registered electricians in Upstate South Carolina were lauded by their respective employers, course instructors and others at a private graduation ceremony last month. The celebration recognized the group’s successful completion of a rigorous four-year, S.C. Department of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship program. Registered apprenticeships are employer-sponsored training programs that produce highly skilled…
Apprenticeships
Watson Electrical Construction Announces Winners of 2018 Apprentice Contest
The 24th annual Watson Electrical Construction Company’s Apprentice Contest for 2018 was a great success with 17 apprentices competing for cash and prizes. This year’s winners were: First Place, Wesley Sartain (Raleigh, N.C.); Second Place, Tim Amerson (Wilson/Rocky Mount, N.C.); Third Place, James Delauney (Virginia Beach, Va.); Fourth Place, Jon McMillian (Wilmington, N.C.); Fifth Place, Joseph…
Celebrating the 2018 ABC Carolinas Electrical Apprenticeship Graduating Class
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Carolinas Chapter celebrated its Electrical Apprenticeship graduating class of 2018 in June at Charlotte’s BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights baseball team. ABC Carolinas Chapter chose this venue to raise community awareness about the apprenticeship program and the career opportunities available in the construction industry. Cheered on by…
Apprenticeships Must Be Expanded to Meet 21st Century Workforce Needs
According to the final report of the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, apprenticeship programs offer workers a career path with paid, on-the-job training and provide employers with highly trained workers, but they are insufficient to address the growing skills gap in many industries. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) commended the secretaries of labor, education and…
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
CF Evans Announces Art Contest for 2019 Safety Week
Orangeburg (S.C.)-based CF Evans Construction is proud to announce their plans for National Construction Safety Week, scheduled for May 6-10, 2019. This is the company’s second year of participation in the construction industry-wide education and awareness event for which more than 80 construction firms across the US and Canada have joined forces. Have a little…
Alliances Play Important Role in Workplace Safety and Health
Carolinas AGC recently renewed its long-standing alliance with the NCDOL Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division. The alliance, which was first signed, March 22, 2010, aims to reduce accidents and fatalities in the construction industry through increased education, training and outreach. Carolinas AGC is a construction trade association made up of contractors and construction-related firms…
New OSHA 300 Rules Go Into Effect Feb. 1. Is Your Firm Ready?
Just in time for the February 1 reporting deadline, the US Department of Labor has opted not to require large employers to submit detailed worker injury and illness logs electronically. Instead, officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will accept electronic delivery of summary forms for employers with 250 or more employees, as…
Safety Management Systems and Their Impact on Your Business | Part Four: Hazard Recognition, Evaluation, and Control
We are pleased to continue with our GroundBreak series “Your Safety Manual Isn’t Enough.” While discussing the importance of building a safety program beyond a written manual, our series focuses on the need for a Safety Management System (SMS) while exploring common SMS components. Safety Management Systems are a collection of efforts, programs, and strategies…
Training
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…
ABC Carolinas Showcases 24 Construction Careers at Charleston STEM Festival
This year represented the first time ABC of the Carolinas participated in the Charleston STEM festival, a celebration of science, technology, engineering and math in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. Now in its fifth year, the 2018 festival took place on Saturday, February 3, at Charleston’s Brittlebank Park. The outdoor event with 80 exhibitors drew…
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…
