Technology is the theme for our July/August issue. In it, you'll find stories on BIM, mobile apps, computer-based pre-apprenticeship training, software solutions, and more. In addition, you'll find other great articles within the pages of this issue of Constructor, including safety articles, award-winning projects and the much-anticipated Regional Resource Guide, a special section that contains detailed information on companies and businesses that provide products and services to the construction industry. Learn More...

 

Steve Sandherr, chief executive officer, AGC of America, released the following statement in response to a report on the condition of the nation's rural roads released by national transportation research group TRIP recently. The report found that the rural road fatality rate is three times higher than all other roads, while 15 percent of rural roads are in poor shape and 22 percent of rural bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.

"As this report makes clear, Washington's failure to adequately fund repairs to our aging network of roads and bridges is having an even worse impact on our rural roads than the rest of our transportation system. And while these rural roads may not be the ones most commuters use on a daily basis, they play a vital role in assuring the movement of hundreds of billions of dollars worth of agricultural, energy and manufacturing products every day." Learn More...

 

 

Last week, the U.S. House overwhelming passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by a vote of 415-6. The vote came on the heels of the Senate’s 95-3 vote two weeks ago. The strong number of votes in both the House and Senate were a rare display of bipartisanship. The legislation is now expected to be signed into law by the president in the coming days.

AGC supported the legislation because it will streamline the workforce development system, giving states greater flexibility to address worker shortages and strengthening employer engagement. The bill refocuses federally funded workforce training towards in-demand occupations, in-demand skills, real-world job opportunities, and real-time business needs that help prepare workers for jobs in construction. It would give priority consideration to training that leads to industry-recognized credentials. It also offers significantly enhanced incentives and opportunities for employers and employer associations to engage in these efforts more actively. Lastly, the bill strengthens registered apprenticeship programs already in existence.

The reforms of the workforce development system include many priorities from AGC’s Workforce Development Plan for the 21st Century, which was released earlier this year. For more information, please contact Jim Young at (202) 547-0133 or youngj@agc.org.

 

The Arizona Builders’ Alliance participated in a cell phone drive to donate minutes to soldiers in Afghanistan. The goal of collecting 1,000 cellphones was exceeded with member donations in excess of 1,300 phones! Learn More...

 

AGC Georgia's Young Leadership Program (YLP) recently finished its latest community project. YLP added a therapy room and rebuilt a deck for the home of Emily Bowman, who suffered devastating injuries when she was struck by a drunken driver while walking on a sidewalk in Athens, Georgia. Even with donated general contractor man-hours and specialty contractors offering their services at no charge, this project cost more than $25,000 to complete. Proceeds from the YLP's annual Golf and Tennis Classic were used. Learn More...

 

The AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter recognizes the critical need to increase and maintain a pipeline of skilled tradespeople and professionals to ensure a well-trained construction workforce for the future. It recently awarded over $192,000 in workforce development grants to nine different organizations. Each year, AGC allocates a portion of its annual budget directly to workforce and professional development efforts. Learn More...

 

The AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter (AGC) and SAIF Corporation announced recently an $8,522,347 million retrospective return for the 655 companies that participated in the 2012–2013 AGC/SAIF group workers’ compensation program. This represents a 30.5 percent return of paid premiums during the policy year. This marks the 21st time in 22 years that a retro has been paid. The long-term stability and success of this program provides great value to AGC member participants. Learn More...

 

AGC of Tennessee is now accepting applications for its scholarship program. The scholarship provides assistance to students pursing a degree in construction or a construction-related program at a non-proprietary, technical, community or four-year college or university. Completed applications must be received by July 25, 2014, by 4 p.m. EDT.

 

Several BOND employees recently volunteered their time and skills to update a 19-unit home belonging to Malden-based Housing Families Inc. (HFI), a non-profit organization founded in 1986 by community members concerned about the growing crisis of homelessness among families in the cities of Malden, Medford, Everett, and Revere, as well as Boston and surrounding communities. Learn More...

 

Brasfield & Gorrie’s 50th anniversary in 2014 marks a milestone in a true American Dream story. The company, a member of multiple AGC chapters, was founded in 1964 by a young entrepreneur who used his life savings to purchase the construction assets of the Thos. C. Brasfield company. Learn More...

 

Gilbane Building Company, a global, award-winning leader in construction and facilities-related services and a member of multiple AGC chapters, recently announced Michael McKelvy has joined the company as president and chief operating officer. McKelvy will be based in the company’s Providence, Rhode Island headquarters and formally assumed his new position on July 7. Learn More...

 

Champion Petfoods is pleased to announce a partnership with Gray Construction, an AGC of Kentucky member. This leading design-build firm will construct Champion’s third kitchen, assuming responsibility for the design and construction of the new custom-fitted kitchens. Learn More...

 

Sundt Construction, Inc., a member of multiple AGC chapters, recently added five new team members to its San Diego office. Amber Simonson, Rudy Teh, Thomas Lopez, Tom Oliver and Ron Eldridge will join the R.J. Donovan Correctional Complex team in Otay Mesa, California. The $169 million joint venture project with Layton Construction is expected to break ground in 2015. Learn More...

 

Tocci Building Companies, a Boston-area construction manager and recognized leader in virtual design and construction solutions, participated in the official ground-breaking ceremony for Claremont Companies’ Hilton Homewood Suites in Brookline, Massachusetts. Tocci, an AGC of Massachusetts member, will work with architects Group One Partners, Inc. and R.W. Sullivan Engineering to deliver the 130-key, 97,775-sf extended-stay hotel to Claremont Companies in December of 2015. Learn More...

 

Jul 16, 2014 - Jul 18, 2014
AGC Safety and Health Committee Meeting
Portland OR

 

Webinars

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Aug 14, 2014 
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Military 101 - A Recruiter/HR Manager's Guide to Navigating the Military's Infrastructure 

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Aug 12 - 13, 2014 
Fort Bragg Veterans Jobs Summit 

Aug 14, 2014 
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