ABC National Update

Updates from ABC NATIONAL MAJORITY OF CONTRACTORS upgrade projects, but only 31.79% of FEAR LONG-TERM BUSINESS respondents stated that this was the IMPLICATIONS OF case.

COVID-19, ACCORDING TO

CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE Looking toward economic recovery, SURVEY three-quarters of contractors believe WASHINGTON, D.C., October that there will be more interest in 8- More than 85% of contractors construction education programs as have been negatively impacted by people seek out new types of work. COVID-19, according to the results Specialty trades, apprenticeship of an August reader survey conducted programs, project management by Construction Executive magazine, training and more tech-focused which is published by Associated construction jobs were all listed as Builders and Contractors. Supply chain areas that contractors believe will see disruptions, prolonged municipal high levels of interest. permitting processes and delayed inspections due to office closures ABC HONORED TO RECEIVE are all factors contributing to the THE PLEDGE TO AMERICA’S increased rate of postponement and/or WORKERS PRESIDENTIAL cancellation of construction projects. AWARD While many contractors have not yet Associated Builders and Contractors seen drastic impacts to their business, is honored to announce it has received as construction was in many areas the Pledge to America’s Workers considered an “essential” service, the Presidential Award, which will be long-term implications are concerning. presented today at a White House Seventy percent of contractors did not event. Among nine recipients, ABC expect the construction industry to was selected based on its achievements stabilize until at least 2021, while an in workforce education and fulfilling additional 10.4% say they believe it its 2018 pledge to recruit and upskill at may never reach pre-pandemic levels. least 500,000 workers by 2023.

“While the survey respondents’ concerns about market viability and the health fears of the virus itself will remain in place for the duration of 2020 and into next year, contractors did report bright spots, such as a widespread adoption of technology after the outbreak of COVID-19,” said Lauren Pinch, editor-in-chief of CE. “That said, as the pandemic continues to change the landscape of the U.S. construction industry and state and local economies, contractors are continuously trying to assess the near- and long-term effects.”

While an uptick in office renovations to meet social distancing guidelines and to implement other COVID-19-related precautions was expected, more than three-quarters of respondents (76.12%) stated that they have not found this to be the case. Concerns over indoor air quality and proper ventilation may have also led people to believe there would also be a large increase in HVAC WASHINGTON, D.C., September 23—

23 www.abcpelican.org/newsletter In 2019 alone, ABC members invested $1.5 billion to provide more than 1.1 million course attendees with craft, leadership and safety education to build a construction workforce that is safe, skilled and productive. Safety education accounted for nearly half of the total workforce investment, averaging more than $1,100 per employee.

“On behalf of ABC, our 69 chapters and 21,000-plus members, we’re honored to receive this award,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “Recruiting, educating and upskilling our workforce is a strategic goal for ABC, and an essential component of supporting our most important asset—our people. We thank President Trump, Presidential Advisor Ivanka Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the many leaders in this administration who have made career education a top priority, 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 task training, competency-based progression, work-based learning and industry-recognized apprenticeships in more than 50 professions—plus more than 300 U.S. Department of Laborregistered apprenticeship programs across 20 different occupations—to build the people who build America.

“On behalf of President Trump, I am honored to award the inaugural Pledge to America’s Workers Presidential Award to ABC and eight other outstanding organizations,” said Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, who will present the award to the ABC 2020 Chair of the Board of Directors, Tim Keating, owner and president of R.C. Stevens Construction Co., Winter Garden, Florida, at the White House ceremony. “ABC has demonstrated a meaningful and substantive commitment toward reskilling and investing in the futures of their workers, more urgent now than ever before due to the changes brought on by the pandemic. Prioritizing American workers and ensuring they are well prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow will guarantee the continued exceptionalism of our country’s workforce for decades to come. Congratulations, ABC!”

The inaugural award was created by the Department of Commerce in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Baldrige Performance Excellence program and with support from the Department of Labor.

Update from THE U.S. SENATE PRESERVING THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY

BY: U.S. SENATOR BILL CASSIDY (R-LA)

Prior to COVID-19, our nation was experiencing the greatest economy in our nation’s history. We had record low unemployment for most every demographic. We had billions of dollars in investment pouring into our economy.

Now, we are experiencing a global pandemic. It is a health crisis that has created an economic crisis. The shutdowns have hit employers and workers hard, but we can return to our previous economic prosperity. While we follow the direction of our medical experts to combat this disease, we must also preserve the foundation for our economic recovery.

We created the Paycheck Protection Program to help employers stay in business and preserve jobs for American workers. It has been vastly successful. I’m working to continue the program to help the small businesses, who will fuel our economic recovery, stay open. Unfortunately, many businesses were forced to close their doors. We must ensure an environment after the pandemic that will allow them to reopen and new business to flourish.

Many towns and cities have seen their tax bases decimated. This could put at risk their ability to pay for essential services like police and sanitation that are vital for their small businesses. I introduced the State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act to ensure essential services are continued and we preserve an environment where employers can return and create jobs in our hardest hit communities.

While we work to preserve the foundation for our economic recovery now, we need to continue the same leadership that elevated our economy in the first place. We were successful in unleashing growth by cutting taxes and red tape. We created the greatest economy our country has ever seen. We can do it again.

Unfortunately, we have another party running for office that has promised, if elected, to re-raise taxes and re-impose regulations that empower bureaucrats and suffocate business owners. We need real solutions, not failed past policies. We need to empower small businesses to grow and create more opportunities for Louisiana workers.

As your senator, I will continue to fight for the real solutions we already know work. I will continue to listen to the needs of Louisiana families to get them what they need to succeed. I will continue working to ensure we come out on the other side of this pandemic stronger.