Registration is now open for AGC’s 2012 Training, Education & Development (TED) Conference.   For 2012, the conference will be co-located with the HR Professionals Conference in San Antonio. The TED Conference will beginn on the morning of Monday, Oct. 15, and last to midday on Oct. 16. On the morning of Oct. 16, there will be  a keynote by Joe Gerstandt on Putting Authenticity, Integrity and Daring to Work.

In an effort to improve our education and training offerings, AGC of America is conducting a needs assessment survey of our members.  Your input will help us shape our future programs and to ensure that we are meeting the training needs of our members.  We estimate that it will take you approximately five minutes to complete the survey.

The Construction Users Roundtable is now accepting applications for its 2012 Workforce Development Awards, designed to provide recognition for extraordinary, exemplary, and innovative training and education programs that encourage individuals to pursue a career in the construction industry and/or enhance an individual’s construction skills.

For construction leaders on the rise, no program provides a more comprehensive, uniquely-focused program than AGC's Advanced Management Program (AMP). Held just one time each year, this exclusive six-day program grounds construction industry executives in the essential skills and techniques required to successfully lead an organization.

To develop the tools needed to build lean, AGC has developed the Lean Construction Education Program. Construction professionals at all experience levels will learn the building blocks necessary to transform their projects and companies into a lean operating system.

Some of the biggest hurdles faced by low-income workers coming into the construction industry include transportation to the job and training; not knowing the expectations of the job (including the physical demands and showing up to work on time and appropriately dressed); and the academics of apprenticeship, particularly the level of math skills required, according to a recent webinar on strategies for supporting the retention and advancement of construction workers and apprentices

Knowing that the nation’s veterans can serve as a good pool of potential construction craftworkers, but also understanding that making the connections with the nation’s veterans as they leave service can be difficult, AGC of America would like to encourage our chapters and members that have state- or federally-registered apprenticeship programs to connect with Helmets to Hardhats (H2H).

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently updated its Occupational Outlook Handbook with its latest employment projections for the 2010-20 decade, which includes predictions that construction industry employment will add 1.8 million jobs.

Recent investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) have found that apprenticeship and training funds are being misused for graduation ceremonies and advertising. In order to help clear up confusion, the DOL has issued a field assistance bulletin that gives definitions and examples of allowed and non-allowed expenses, particularly in regards to graduation ceremonies and promotional activities.

The U.S. Department of Labor has created a special website to help connect the nation’s youth with employers who can offer summer jobs and industry members are being encouraged to provide summer work for low-income youths that either helps them improve their soft skills, such as communication and teamwork; provides insight into the world of work through internships and job shadowing; or provides them a learning opportunity and wages.