Inside AGC Chapter Corner
November/December 2007

Starting Young: The Rise Of AGC Career Academies

Hands-on experience gives boost to construction careers

Nearly 7.7 million people work in the U.S. construction industry today, yet the growth of the industry is outpacing the rate at which it can attract skilled workers. Estimates show that the industry needs to attract 185,000 new trained workers annually over the next 10 years. Two years of study on the part of AGC’s Workforce Development Committee resulted in a commitment to construction career academies (CCA) as a way to address the industry’s skilled worker shortage.

With help from the committee, along with AGC of East Tennessee, the first model CCA was established in 2002 at East Ridge High School in Chattanooga, Tenn. CCAs are specialty high schools that combine uniquely developed core academic classes with courses that integrate construction themes and focus on the industry. CCAs also offer students specific advantages for construction job opportunities after graduation through hands-on experience in the field and prepares them for college by offering rigorous academic courses.

Following the initial success of the East Ridge High School model, AGC was awarded a U.S. Dept. of Labor grant for $235,000 to help fund it and eight other CCAs. The DOL grant money has been used to pay for teacher and chapter-staff attendance at construction-career academy workshops, develop promotional materials to encourage student enrollment in construction-career academies, buy supplies and textbooks for the academies and more.

AGC and DOL support helped chapters convince local school districts to support implementation of the now-flourishing academies. Since receiving the DOL grant, AGC has helped build more than nine CCAs, and that number is expected to double within the next two years.

One of the newest academies is Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School in Washington, D.C. Spearheaded by AGC of D.C. and the District of Columbia Public Schools, PACE held its July groundbreaking with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee.  PACE is unique because it is a public high school entirely devoted to architecture, construction and engineering. The AGC of D.C. and DCPS partnership is designed as a model public-private partnership for the benefit of PACE High School students, D.C.-area construction employers and the D.C. Metro economy.

“AGC of D.C. will assist with curriculum development and integration with industry themes, mentoring and internships for students and externships for teachers,” says AGC of D.C. Chief Executive Officer Cherie Pleasant. “AGC of D.C. also will develop scholarships to help graduating students in their future endeavors, whether they stay in the construction industry or not.”

PACE High School rendering: Creating a modern, high-tech school from an historic building in D.C.

AGC of D.C. began researching ways to start a CCA program five years ago and used existing AGC CCAs as models for PACE. AGC of D.C. will support PACE in four major areas: recruitment of students, marketing and promotion, instructional support and program assistance and administrative support. This $48.5-million project will open its doors in fall 2008 with an estimated freshman class of 150 students and a four-year, phase-in estimate of 600 students.

AGC of D.C. is investing $6.5 million in hard dollars and contractor volunteering efforts for PACE’s first five years. “I can’t tell you how excited we are to be a partner in this,” says AGC of D.C. President Clare Archer, a senior manager at Gilbane Building Co. “It will be the very first comprehensive construction and engineering high school in the country.”

Through recruitment efforts, AGC of D.C. will reach out to the District’s large minority population to educate these young adults about the many opportunities available for minorities in the construction industry.

AGC of Wisconsin is one of AGC’s most active chapters when it comes to building new CCAs. In the last four years, the chapter has built three CCAs and plans to add six more statewide by 2009. AGC of Wisconsin developed an action plan to begin working with CCAs in 2003, following the strategic planning process with the chapter’s board of directors and staff. AGC of Wisconsin started its first CCA at Burlington High School, in Burlington, and will graduate its first class of more than 20 students in spring 2008; 69 students are currently enrolled at Burlington High School.

AGC of Wisconsin uses contractor members and other industry professionals to assist in the development of curriculum at its CCAs. They also assist in the professional development of the teachers, helping them to understand the construction industry and how to relate it to their coursework. AGC members take teachers to jobsites to learn from project managers and superintendents about what it takes to build a building. Summer externships are offered to CCA teachers in an effort to better prepare them for the upcoming school year.

AGC of Wisconsin continues to lead team-building events annually to grow trust and strengthen the team environment among students and faculty. This community atmosphere is able to draw students into the program and help develop skills that will eventually lead to a successful career.

Construction Career Academy students at Burlington High School, Burlington, Wis., participate in hand on activities like forming and concrete finishing.

AGC of Wisconsin recognizes a need for more recruitment efforts. “As an industry and association, we need to do a better job of exposing high school students and their parents, teachers and counselors to the great career opportunities available in the construction industry,” says Bob Barker, executive vice president of AGC of Wisconsin. “We need to improve the perceptions of our industry by exposing academia and the public to the skills and professionalism our members exhibit on a daily basis in the operation of their businesses and construction’s positive effect on our communities and economy. The career academy effort is a great way to get this message out in a positive manner.&rdquo

AGC has long appreciated the value of a quality education to develop a skilled workforce, which is essential to build and maintain a strong and dynamic economy. DOL recognizes construction not only as a career with excellent wages and benefits, but also as one with huge potential for entrepreneurship. Construction-career academies continue to grow every year in the U.S., due in large part to the ongoing support of AGC and its chapters. These academies are proving to be vital not only to the students’ learning experience, but also to the future of the construction industry in America.