Up dat e s f ro m A B C N A T I O N A L
MAJORITY OF CONTRACTORS FEAR LONG-TERM BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19, ACCORDING TO CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE SURVEY WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8- More than 85% of contractors have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, according to the results of an August reader survey conducted by Construction Executive magazine, which is published by Associated Builders and Contractors. Supply chain disruptions, prolonged municipal permitting processes and delayed inspections due to office closures are all factors contributing to the increased rate of postponement and/or cancellation of construction projects.
upgrade projects, but only 31.79% of respondents stated that this was the case. Looking toward economic recovery, three-quarters of contractors believe that there will be more interest in construction education programs as people seek out new types of work. Specialty trades, apprenticeship programs, project management training and more tech-focused construction jobs were all listed as areas that contractors believe will see high levels of interest.
positioning career technical education and apprenticeship programs as a monumental personal achievement that leads to a successful, well-paying career.”
ABC’s all-of-the-above approach to workforce development has produced a network of ABC chapters and affiliates in 1,400 locations across the country that offer more than 800 apprenticeship, craft, safety and management education programs. ABC delivers construction education through innovative and flexible learning models, such as just-in-time ABC HONORED TO RECEIVE task training, competency-based THE PLEDGE TO AMERICA’S progression, work-based learning and WORKERS PRESIDENTIAL industry-recognized apprenticeships in AWARD more than 50 professions—plus more WASHINGTON, D.C., September 23— than 300 U.S. Department of LaborWhile many contractors have not yet Associated Builders and Contractors registered apprenticeship programs seen drastic impacts to their business, is honored to announce it has received across 20 different occupations—to as construction was in many areas the Pledge to America’s Workers build the people who build America. considered an “essential” service, the Presidential Award, which will be long-term implications are concerning. presented today at a White House “On behalf of President Trump, I Seventy percent of contractors did not event. Among nine recipients, ABC am honored to award the inaugural expect the construction industry to was selected based on its achievements Pledge to America’s Workers stabilize until at least 2021, while an in workforce education and fulfilling Presidential Award to ABC and eight additional 10.4% say they believe it its 2018 pledge to recruit and upskill at other outstanding organizations,” may never reach pre-pandemic levels. least 500,000 workers by 2023. said Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, who will present the award “While the survey respondents’ In 2019 alone, ABC members invested to the ABC 2020 Chair of the Board concerns about market viability and $1.5 billion to provide more than 1.1 of Directors, Tim Keating, owner and the health fears of the virus itself will million course attendees with craft, president of R.C. Stevens Construction remain in place for the duration of leadership and safety education to Co., Winter Garden, Florida, at the 2020 and into next year, contractors build a construction workforce that White House ceremony. “ABC has did report bright spots, such as a is safe, skilled and productive. Safety demonstrated a meaningful and widespread adoption of technology education accounted for nearly half substantive commitment toward reafter the outbreak of COVID-19,” said of the total workforce investment, skilling and investing in the futures of Lauren Pinch, editor-in-chief of CE. averaging more than $1,100 per their workers, more urgent now than “That said, as the pandemic continues employee. ever before due to the changes brought to change the landscape of the U.S. on by the pandemic. Prioritizing construction industry and state and “On behalf of ABC, our 69 chapters American workers and ensuring local economies, contractors are and 21,000-plus members, we’re they are well prepared for the jobs of continuously trying to assess the near- honored to receive this award,” said today and tomorrow will guarantee and long-term effects.” Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president the continued exceptionalism of our of health, safety, environment and country’s workforce for decades to While an uptick in office renovations to workforce development. “Recruiting, come. Congratulations, ABC!” meet social distancing guidelines and educating and upskilling our workforce to implement other COVID-19-related is a strategic goal for ABC, and an The inaugural award was created by precautions was expected, more than essential component of supporting our the Department of Commerce in three-quarters of respondents (76.12%) most important asset—our people. We partnership with the National Institute stated that they have not found this thank President Trump, Presidential of Standards and Technology’s Baldrige to be the case. Concerns over indoor Advisor Ivanka Trump, Commerce Performance Excellence program and air quality and proper ventilation may Secretary Wilbur Ross and the many with support from the Department of have also led people to believe there leaders in this administration who have Labor. would also be a large increase in HVAC made career education a top priority, 23 www.abcpelican.org/newsletter
