Alaska Chapter Earns National Award

AGC of America is pleased to announce that AGC of Alaska was part of a coalition that received a 2008 Construction Users Roundtable Workforce Development Award at the CURT national convention, held recently in Palm Springs, California. The Alaska Chapter was a founder and driving force behind the formation of the Alaska Construction Academy (AkCA), which was formed to recruit, train, and employ entry-level workers into construction jobs. In 2006, the pilot program had more than 450 high school students enrolled in construction trade classes after the regular school day and during the summer months; and more than 100 adults were trained in a specific trade (carpentry, electrical, plumbing, drywall finishing and welding). In the program’s second year, more than 1,500 students were trained in after-school courses in six communities around the state; while more than 300 adults received training. Preliminary reports from the state Department of Labor indicate that 70 percent of those adults are working in construction-related jobs. The CURT Workforce Development Awards were developed to give significant national and international recognition for extraordinary, exemplary, and innovative training and education programs which either encourages individuals to pursue a career in the construction industry and/or enhance an individual's construction skills. Academies are held in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, and the Mat-Su Valley. Other partners in the Academy include: Alaska State Home Building Association, Mat-Su Home Builders, Kenai Peninsula Home Builders, Greater Ketchikan Builders Association, South East Alaska Building Industry Association, Alaska Department of Labor Workforce Development, Alaska Works Partnerships, Inc., & area school districts. AGC of Alaska currently provides project management, coordination, and administrative functions for $3.5 million in state grant funds. Contracts will be issued to the local school district and to industry trainers for instruction of high school students and adults. A portion of the funds will go to the Alaska DOLWD, in order to ensure linkages with local Job Centers, and to assist trainees requiring additional employment and training support available from the state. AGC is also pleased to announce that the ACE Mentor Program of America won a 2008 CURT Workforce Development Award. AGC of America is a longtime sponsor of this program, as are many of our members and Chapters. ACE has influenced more than 37,000 students to pursue careers in design build profession in a comprehensive exploratory format. In 2007-2008, more than 7,500 students participated in ACE in 102 locations nationwide and anticipate more than 10,000 students to enroll this fall.