36, 39 Training Center Updates

PERFECT YOUR TRADE THROUGH CRAFT & TECHNICAL COURSES

IN BATON ROUGE

Established in 1980, ABC Pelican has educated more than 25,000 craft professionals, provided a variety of professional continuing education offerings, and promoted construction as a career to tens of thousands. Perfect your trade with us through nationally accredited curriculum developed for the construction industry!

CRAFT COURSES •NCCER Core •NCCER Instrumentation Levels 1-4 •NCCER Electrical Levels 1-4 •NCCER Mobile Crane Levels 1-2 •NCCER Millwright Levels 1-5 •NCCER Pipefitting Levels 1-4 •NCCER Heavy Equipment Levels 1-2 •AWS Welding Levels 1- 3

SUPERVISOR CLASSES (Must have at least 3.5 years field experience) •NCCER Construction Site Safety Technician (CSST)

•Project Coordinator (three semesters) •First semester: Print Reading •Second semester: Estimating •Third semester: Planning and Scheduling

About ABC Pelican

Pelican Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, handicap, union affiliation or veteran status. Persons who enroll in ABC Training Center courses acknowledge that they are physically fit to participate in these courses. In the event of an accident or injury, participants will hold harmless from all liability and/or loss or damage, the Pelican Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. or its agents. This information is subject to change without notice due to enrollment numbers and requirements. Completion of all or part of a training program does not guarantee employment. While it is our goal to train for the construction/maintenance industry, our primary purpose is to train our members’ employees.

19251 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA 70809

NEW: Fall 2020 Dates

Early Registration: May 4 – 28 (current students only) ICC/GBRIA Registration: June 1 – 30 Open Registration: July 1 - 30 Semester Begins: August 3, 2020

Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday, 7:30a to 6:00p 225.752.0088

Spring 2021 Dates

Early Registration: October 1- 29 (current students only) ICC/GBRIA Registration: November 2 - 30 Open Registration: December 1 - 22 Semester Begins: January 11, 2021

BATON ROUGE training center update NEW NORMAL, SAME QUALITY CRAFT EDUCATION BY KELLY CARPENTER, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Pandemic or not, your Baton Rouge Training Center has been hard at work continuing to safely educate the next generation of craft professionals. Classes resumed on August 3 at 50 percent occupancy in accordance choice that will provide increased enrollment and improve with the Governor’s Proclamation. Instructors were the education and training for skilled trades. It is our ready to go with 80 percent of the student population intent to request funding for our new training model. returning to complete their Spring semester. Daily, staff conduct temperature checks and administer the ABC started the JCP classes on September 21 with six COVID-19 questionnaire for students as they arrive to electrical students and seven welders. The students campus, before they even get out of their vehicles. The attending previously completed the NCCER Core earlier students have done well, even with the new policies in this year and were interrupted in continuing the craft due place. to COVID-19. They will attend classes from 8:00 a.m. – Course Choice students began August 17 and followed the same screening policy set for the evening classes. Instead of our Build Your Future Day in October that we Many of the assistant principals were on hand to assist have held at Lamar Dixon the past two years, this year with the transition to get the students back in class. The we offered BYF Day in a virtual format, with contractors students returning to ABC are enrolled in Electrical 100 showcasing the different opportunities that are available in & 200 (25 students), Millwright 100 (20) and Welding the construction industry. We offered pre-recorded video (65). These students are on an alternating weekly A/B clips along with a question and answer session a few times schedule to maintain 50 percent social distancing. The during the week of October 19 to high school students instructors didn’t waste any time and quickly resumed across the state. Contractors took advantage of the new course curriculum. Studio ABC, a green room to record their messages to Satellite welding classes resumed on September 8 and industry. will end November 11 with 87 percent of our students planning to return. Our satellite instructors have been Danielle Labbe began working with the instructors ready to get back to training for months. All of the in September on a schedule for video production of a necessary supplies were ordered and delivered for a hybrid training model. Everyone is excited to get this seamless start. Instructors are also conducting the daily temperature checks at the satellite locations.

Harbor Freight partnered with the Drucker Institute to launch the Harbor Freight Leadership Lab. The project will consist of working with other organizations to boost excellence in skilled trades education by developing effective leaders. The lab’s ultimate purpose is to develop leaders and adopt programs that will improve skilled trades education, student outcomes and career placement. Danielle Labbe and I were invited to participate in this leadership program for the next year. The kick-off meeting was held on August 3 and 4. Upon successful completion of the program, the training center will be awarded funding for a project of our 11:00 a.m. Monday-Thursday. the students regarding the career opportunities in the

ABC OF LOUISIANA FISHING RODEO GRAND ISLE, GRAND TIME

BY: MACIE MORGAN, MEMBER RELATIONS COORDINATOR

OCTOBER 1-3, GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA

production process started and create short video clips to enhance the training at ABC. Selected instructors have been working on their syllabus and script for the filming process. We are looking forward to sharing a few segments soon. The staff may even post a few 2020 Bloopers! Stay tuned for more to come. Even with an unusual year and a postponement, more than 125 ABC Pelican and Bayou members still registered for and participated in the 2020 ABC of Louisiana Fishing Rodeo and had a blast! Our members took over Grand Isle October 1-3 catching monster fish and enjoying time with people they had not seen in a while.

Friday morning, despite the strong winds and cooler temperatures, boats were packed with ice chests and ready to bring home some dinner – or just really big fish! As the sun started setting, Equipment Share started cooking up boiled peanuts, hotdogs, and hamburgers for the anglers.

Saturday morning proved no different. With strong winds and cooler temperatures anglers started casting! Glen Elrod, Fishing Rodeo Committee Chair for the second year, said “a bad day of fishing at the ABC Rodeo beats a good day at work.”

At 4PM weigh-in began. Boats drifted in and fish started hitting the scales. The leaderboard quickly started filling up as the weigh in began to die down and the anglers began to finish their dinner provided by H&E Equipment. At 6PM, awards started.

Big Game Division:

Almaco Jack: First Place (5.06): David Poole with Great River Industries Amberjack: First (48.60), Second (48) and Third Place (41.12): David Poole with Great River Industries Barracuda: First (30.40), Second (19.14) and Third Place (18.8): David Poole with Great River Industries Blackfin Tuna: First (21.30), Second (18.46) and Third Place (18.12): David Poole with Great River Industries Bonita: First (15.46): Stuart Maginnis (Maginnis Construction), Second (13.32): David Poole (Great River Industries) and Third Place (12.80) Stuart Maginnis (Maginnis Construction) Dolphin: First Place (30.20): David Poole with Great River Industries Jack Crevalle: First Place (19.80): Chris Conti with Riskwise Safety Consulting Misc. Snapper: First (1.32), Second (1.02) and Third Place (1.00): David Poole with Great River Industries

Master Angler: David Poole with Great River Industries

Best Boat: Great River Industries

Shoreline Division:

Black Drum: First (26.12): Tommy Trosclair (Southern Earth Sciences), Second (16.8): Chris Conti (Riskwise Safety Consulting), and Third Place (14.14): Bill Mardis Flounder: First Place (.28): Chris Sutton Gafftop Catfish: First (5.52): Brett Pefferkorn (E.P. Breaux Electrical) Second (5.50): Roger Turner (E.P. Breaux Electrical), and Third Place (2.69) David Ford (Classic Industries) Mangrove Snapper: First (6.74), Second (6.28) and Third Place (6.20): David Poole with Great River Industries Bull Redfish: First (24.00): Brett Peffferkorn (E.P Breaux Electrical), Second (22.14): Rob Jenkins (BXS Insurance), and Third Place (18.80): Roger Turner (E.P. Breaux Electrical) Redfish: First (7.94): Chris Conti (Riskwise Safety Consulting), Second (7.10) Susan Jackson (EXCEL), and Third Place (6.74): Ryan McCann (Bottom Line Equipment) Sheepshead: First (5.12): Tommy Trosclair (Southern Earth Sciences), Second (3.10) Troy Templet (Maginnis CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Construction), and Third Place (2.69): Gary Foster (Claymar Construction) Spanish Mackeral: First (2.24): John Rovira (Ace Enterprises), Second (072): Shaun Simon (Eustis Engineering), and Third Place (.56): Matthew Morales (Eustis Engineering) Speckled Trout: First (1.86), Second (1.84) and Third place (1.80): Chris Conti with Riskwise Safety Consulting White Trout: First (.84), Second (.84): Bill Mardis and Third Place (.80): Josh Crowdus Best 5 Trout (Day 1): First (3.72): Tommy Trosclair (Southern Earth Sciences), Second (3.62): Chris Conti (Riskwise Safety Consulting) and Third Place (2.28): Glen Elrod (Ace Enterprises) Best 5 Trout (Day 2): First (4.12): Chris Conti (Riskwise Safety Consulting), Second (3.54): Sean Suhre (H&E Equipment) and Third Place (1.02): Brett Johnson Redfish – Most Spots: First (32): Mike McMullen (Traveler’s Alliance Group), Second (9): Larry Mastaski (BXS Insurance) and Third Place (6): Chris Conti (Riskwise Safety Consulting)

Master Angler: Chris Conti with Riskwise Safety Consulting

Best Boat: Ernest. P Breaux Electrical

Kayak:

Redfish: First (16.10): Megan Simpson (BXS Insurance), Second (15.2) and Third Place (5.18): Mike McMullen (Traveler’s Alliance Group) Trout: First (1.18): Mike McMullen (Traveler’s Alliance Group)

Master Angler: Mike McMullen with Traveler’s Alliance Group

Thank you to all of our sponsors! 24Hr Safety, Ace Enterprises, Austin Industrial, Barriere, Beard, Bengal, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Braun Intertec, Bottom Line Equipment, BXS Insurance, Cajun Industries, Cody’s, Cory, Tucker and Larrowe, Draeger, Equipment Share, EXCEL, Five-S Group, H&E Equipment, IMSCO, ISC, MMR, Performance, Prime, RES, Riskwise Safety Consulting, Torcsill and United Rentals.

southwest training center update CLASSES ON PAUSE FOR NOW AS WE REBUILD STRONGER BY BLAISE THEARD, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, SWTC The Southwest Training Center on-campus classes remain suspended due to damage sustained from both Hurricanes Laura and Delta. The lab and classroom buildings took significant damage to the roof, which led to interior rain damage. The welding shop lost its bay doors and ventilation system. The administration building received minor damage to roof and windows. The campus received wind damage to fences, gates, covered walkways, and awnings. Six weeks after Laura, Delta made landfall bringing more damage to our lab and classroom building.

Despite the attempts of Mother Nature to stall our craft training efforts, we are proud to say that the Southwest Training Center is currently under repair. The first phase of repairs will concentrate on the welding shop and administration building. After the damage was assessed and scope of the job was created, a fair bidding process was offered to our contractor members to follow our mission and value of fair and open competition.

A handful of the SWTC satellite classes have started training for the Fall 2020 semester. Allen, Acadia and Beauregard Parish schools have returned to class after the two storms. Our Kinder, Rayne, Iota, Deridder and Singer High dual enrollment classes are in session. Calcasieu and Cameron Parish dual enrollment classes will return once the two parishes begin school.

Even though many of our team members’ and students’

lives were turned upside down due to the two storms, everyone is very eager to return to campus. Hurricane Laura and Delta packed a punch, but we will return to our feet stronger than ever. This is just another minor setback for the year 2020. The Southwest Training Center will soon continue to train the best crafts professionals to help rebuild our industry and SWLA.

CREATETHEAMERICANDREAM

Construction is the greatest team sport ever played—a team of skilled workers bring a vision to life through hard work and collaboration. A career in construction can help you gain specialized skills, access a high-wage career and even put you on the path to owning your own business and creating your American dream.

Associated Builders and Contractors

BUILDYOUROWNPATH ABC offers more than 800 programs across 69 chapters nationwide to educate the next generation of construction workers. Build your own path at workforce.abc.org. www.abcpelican.org/newsletter 40

BYF day BUILD YOUR FUTURE DAY, BUT MAKE IT VIRTUAL OCTOBER 2020, LOUISIANA We are just wrapping the eighth annual Careers in Construction Month (CICM). Celebrated in October and led by NCCER and Build Your Future (BYF), this campaign increases public awareness of careers in our field, inspires the next generation of craft professionals with career pathway possibilities and makes an impact on the perceptions of a career in construction.

While you and I know plenty about construction-related careers, the general public does not and we have a responsibility to educate high school students, parents and those in the workforce about these opportunities. During CICM, ABC Pelican highlighted the skilled men and women who build our country, provided resources to local educators and industry representatives, and inspired high school students to choose a rewarding career as a craft professional.

One individual we highlighted in October was Turner Industries’ Carlos Guidry. ABC Pelican’s 2020 Chair of the Board of Directors is a former student of and instructor for our Baton Rouge Training Center.

As a recent college graduate, Guidry learned about ABC Pelican by asking his supervisor how he could become a planner. So, he began taking scheduling and planning classes at our Baton Rouge Training Center. Because of his talents and ambition, Carlos went on to teach Blueprint Reading at ABC Pelican and then earn multiple promotions within his company, Turner Industries. Today, he serves as Senior Vice President of Construction. Earlier this year, Guidry spoke to our craft students at graduation about his career pathway in construction.

“Never in my dreams would I have believed my career would lead me to where I am today,” said Guidry. “It’s earned, and you earn everything in life. Never forget that.”

Throughout the month, we informed our social media audience of why they should explore careers in construction. Craft skills indemand nationwide; in fact, one million craft professionals, such as electricians and carpenters, will be needed by 2023. Careers in construction also offer financial freedom through high salaries and affordable education options. This industry is safer thanks to improved regulations and technology and inclusive and welcoming to everyone. And most importantly: construction is essential.

Typically, we host an in-person event, along with 80 or so construction and industry experts, for about 1,500 high school students from across Louisiana at Lamar Dixon in Gonzales and at the West Cal Arena in Sulphur to learn about the career possibilities that are available in construction and industry. To follow health and safety protocols this year, we chose to offer a virtual Build Your Future Day to about 50 local high schools. The video included clips from various ABC Pelican member contractors about career

BYF day CONTinued pathways in construction.

“2020 has presented Turner and the construction industry with many challenges,” said Bryan Gerace of Turner Industries Group in the video. “But in spite of those challenges, we’ve never lost focus on the fact that construction is an essential industry.”

“During the pandemic, many lost their jobs,” Gerace went to say, but because the construction industry was deemed essential by FEMA and the federal government to keep America’s critical infrastructure up and ticking, Turner employees could “absolutely” still work to keep the “state’s economy moving forward.”

Gerace, who serves as the 2020 Chair of ABC Pelican’s Education and Manpower committee, said Turner employees men and women in mechanical crafts such as heavy equipment, millwright and pipefitting as well as non-mechanical crafts such as electrical, instrumentation and welding and in soft craft such as hydroblasting and scaffolding.

“We need you to be ready to meet the demand of skilled craft professionals,” Gerace said.

“In the Gulf Coast region, we focus on heavy civil construction, industrial construction, infrastructure and maintenance and utilities and distribution,” said Tammy Corripio of Primoris Services Corporation. In order to accomplish site work, Corripio, who serves on ABC Pelican’s Board of Directors, said Primoris utilizes equipment such as bulldozers, excavators and the articulated dump truck (her personal favorite).

“Brown & Root is committed to connecting with the next generation of craft professionals,” said Shane Firmin of Brown & Root. “From welders to pipefitters to millwrights, Brown & Root is always looking to hire a wide variety of craft professionals to serve the needs of our clients.”

Brown & Root services the refining, chemical and petrochemical, midstream, terminal, pulp and paper as well as the power industries.

“You’re probably wondering how I can get a job once I complete all of my training?” Chad Pierce of EXCEL Group posed this valid question in the video.

Pierce offered tips such as: get a TWIC card (and how to get that federal background check process going), ensure you have reliable transportation to get to and from work, update your resume and include your objectives in the resume, and finally say “yes” to the job opportunities that come your way!

We appreciate all contractors who took the time to contribute to the video for virtual BYF Day, and we look forward to hosting an in-person event next year, carrying on the traditions of educating future craft professionals on how they can make a life-long career in our industry.