Inside AGC — September/October 2005

Chapter Corner:

Training Tomorrow's Construction Work Force

AGC academies offer academic curriculum with real-life construction examples

Dave Volk, president of Volk Construction Co. and chairman of the board of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, celebrates with members of the Construction Careers Center's first-ever graduating class.

Hundreds of students from across the country were excited about integrating academic and career educational training at AGC-sponsored construction career academies and charter schools this fall.

New Academies Open

With a steady increase in construction projects and a decline in the numbers of qualified craftsmen, it is essential to increase interest in construction careers. Six new AGC-sponsored construction career academies were opened this fall with the help of grants awarded to AGC by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The schools were established to recruit and train the future work force of the construction industry.
"We're excited about exposing students and their parents to an industry that offers a lot of opportunity," said Bob Barker, executive vice president of AGC of Wisconsin.
Academy locations were selected to fulfill a need in the community. "Our fast-growing region needs to recruit 20% of high school graduates to fill the construction job openings that will occur," says Richard Cattanach, executive director of AGC of Alaska.
The academies also fill a need for integrated academic and "real-life" learning. "Our curriculum incorporates tangible aspects into theoretical and academic classes, whether it's math, social studies or history," says Craig Honeyman, executive director of Oregon-Columbia Chapter-AGC.

St. Louis School Graduates Its First Class

In June, AGC of St. Louis' Charter School, Construction Careers Center, held its first graduation. The CCC provides students an excellent foundation in educational preparation. The curriculum is designed by the construction industry to prepare students for entry into direct employment or for advanced training in the construction field.
Students and members alike are excited about the program and the future of the graduates. "I got a good education and was able to develop different skills, something that I wouldn't be able to in a traditional high school," says CCC graduate Alicia Moore.
AGC of St. Louis is equally proud of their graduates and looks forward to continuing its leadership role in construction education. "This school is a testament to the determination of our industry to open the doors to young people who want to challenge themselves with a new career opportunity," says Leonard Toenjes, president, AGC of St. Louis.