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Member News
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Industry News
“Build our Future, Take Action Now!”
I would like to start by again thanking Bruce for his leadership this past year. Unfortunate for me but very fortunate for the organization Bruce is truly a “raise the bar” kind of guy. The energy, the organization and the amount of thought he has brought to the chairman’s role over the past year has been amazing. So Bruce – THANK YOU!
I also want to thank each of you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Chairman. It truly is a privilege that I am grateful for! I pledge to do my best in maintaining the high bar that Bruce has set. A couple of years ago, while he was Chairman, we continuously heard Robert state that the Organization was shifting to a more forward-thinking approach. From reactive to proactive. This was cemented through the ongoing strategic planning effort which Robert began with a goal of providing and validating further member value and positioning the AGC as “The Voice” of the construction industry in Virginia.
The AGCVA held its Annual Convention at The Greenbrier Resort on January 23-26, 2020.
With over 550 attendees saw the 2020 officers and board installed. Our new officers are (L-R) Immediate Past Chairman: Bruce Tibbets – EMC Mechanical Services
Chairman: Kirk Adams – Riddleberger Brothers Inc.
Vice Chairman: Trip Smith – MEB Contractors 1st Vice Chairman: Anthony Smith - Service Contracting of Virginia Inc. There was great networking at the Friday Night Party “Team Up We Are Better Together”. Informative sessions on Technology, Legal Trends, Risk Management, Workforce Development, business planning and advocacy on state and federal issues. Plan to join us in 2021.
Virginia specific Construction Wage Survey on the way!
Members have asked for it and we will deliver. Participate in the Construction Wage Survey from our long-time partners at PAS - Personnel Administrative Services. This is a confidential survey and they only way to receive the results is to participate.
Legislative & Legal
Among economic special interest groups in Virginia, organized labor is consistently one of the top contributors to political campaigns. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Big Labor has contributed $46 million to candidates since 1996-97, almost all of it to Democrats. The construction unions, which are the biggest donors of all, have been rewarded this year by a raft of bills that would give them a huge leg up in projects involving government, independent authorities, and even private developers seeking zoning approvals.
Only one bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Richard Saslaw, D-Springfield, has made it past the committee stage so far. But the bills seen collectively provide a road map of the construction unions’ legislative agenda and what the anti-business wing of the Democratic Party is prepared to support.
AGCVA members attended Small Business Day at the Virginia State Capitol on January 9th. Members heard from legislators on how the new majority led by Democrats in House, Senate and Governor’s office are going to govern Virginia. AGCVA members spoke to legislators about eliminating the eternal liability contractors accept when working on a public project, concerns around Project Labor Agreements and establishing Prevailing Wages on public projects.
Pictured: Scott Brannan, Delegate Buddy Fowler (55th District) and Taylor Brannan of F Richard Wilton Jr Inc
DGS Final Report on Statute of Limitations. Report on current Virginia law and best practices as they relate to the statute of limitations on state contracts for construction services
On Jan. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized an AGC-supported rule to define “waters of the United States” – providing clarity when a federal permit is needed for work in or near federal waters. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule better identifies federal waters, respects states’ primary role in land use and pollution prevention, and balances major case law from the last couple of decades.
Republicans Respond with Key Principles
On Jan. 29, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the House Democratic leadership released a framework for addressing the nation’s infrastructure needs, calling for an investment of $760 billion over five years. The framework breaks out this investment into specific infrastructure categories but leaves the question of how to pay for the investment unanswered for now. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans also released their own principles for consideration as part of the FAST Act reauthorization effort. In response, AGC’s CEO Stephen Sandherr stated, in part, that: “The broader significance of these announcements . . . is that they signal something we have strongly advocated: that Congress should make passing a bipartisan measure to improve the nation’s aging and overburdened infrastructure its top priority.”
Workforce Development
February is CTE Month, a public awareness campaign that supports career and technical education and CTE programs across the United States.
CTE Month is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate career-focused education. As construction is one of the great career paths available through CTE, February is an exciting month for the industry. CTE Month is a perfect time for programs and companies alike to promote the importance of craft education. Teachers and students can showcase the success and aspirations of their training programs, and it’s an opportunity for industry leaders to build connections and partnerships with schools and educators. It’s also a good time to engage with groups like policymakers, parents and the media to grow awareness and support for CTE
The AGCVA Educational Foundation & the Richmond District made a $10,000 donation to the Goodwill Industries - Center for Building & Construction. About Center: The Goodwill Center for Building and Construction Trades is scheduled to open its 2nd location by the summer of 2020 in Richmond. Once this program is in operation, it will be producing students with skilled trades training supported through John Tyler and Reynolds Community College paired with employability/life skill training provided by Goodwill. Goodwill is raising funds through donations and working with local contractors to help manage and complete the renovations of the training space.
(center to right): AGCVA Chairman Bruce Tibbetts, Richmond District President Jack Heisler,
Richmond District Manger Jennifer Gray & AGCVA CEO Gordon Dixon February 25, 2020 in Roanoke - 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
This event will bring industry, education, and community leaders together to learn how to better serve one another and address the workforce shortage.As an AGCVA member benefit we are offering to showcase your company’s overall profile, positions, and career pathways to CTE Directors, School Administration, Workforce Development, Economic Development Resources, and Career Counselors, and more so the local community can better guide talent pipelines into a career at your company.
Questions? Courtney Baker, courtney@agcva.org
AGCVA “played in the dirt” with 6th-12th graders from Goochland schools. Over 1,400 students explored career opportunities in construction, engineering, architecture, and more. Goochland Tech Center boasts 1 of only 2 heavy equipment operating training programs for high schoolers in all of Virginia. That must be why students were especially drawn to AGCVA’s Build Your Future booth where they could challenge their friends at scooping and placing objects using our remote control excavator! Want to get introduced to the up and coming skilled trade’s students in Goochland?
Safety
National AGC Safety Awards Program (NASA) compares an AGC member’s safety record with other AGC members according to the member size and construction type. Additionally, NASA provides a great opportunity for members who have excellent safety records to compete for nationally recognized awards. Deadline is February 7, 2020
Questions? Sheila Collins, sheila@agcva.org
Calendar & Events
AGCVA makes it possible with a wide range of training programs to help members. Recent training programs include: STP Supervisory Training, PMDP Project Manager, Young Construction Leaders Program, CQM Construction Quality Management, LEAN Construction Education Program & LEAN/BIM Exams.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has asked AGCVA members for help in reviewing the Pluming and Masonry Curriculum for K12 Career and Technical Education.
We are looking for industry professionals who are interested in reviewing curriculum in order to provide sound advice on how to best prepare students for a career in these fields. Serving on the VDOE curriculum review committee is a one day commitment in Richmond, VA. The trade dates are as follows:
Plumbing I & II – February 7th, 2020
Masonry I & II – February 21st, 2020
Apprenticeship Job Fair on February 12, 2020, 9 AM to 11 AM at UVA's Alumni Hall. Open to the public. Showcasing apprentice positions at UVA FM and entry-level or apprentice positions with other local contractors.
Application opens February 3
Plumbing ▪ Electrical ▪ Masonry ▪ HVAC ▪ Carpentry. Online Only No trades experience required.
February 27 @ 8:00 AM thru February 28 @ 5:00 PM
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Free Construction 10 Hour Course in Spanish on Feb 27 and 28th. Event Contact:Marinho Goncalves, (804) 371 3104 | Ext: 106, marinho.goncalves@doli.virginia.gov |
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