Training centers, community colleges and high schools nationwide will have clearer guidelines to help train future construction workers thanks to a new “competency model” released January 9 by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Associated General Contractors of America.  The framework will give educators a clearer picture of the skills required to succeed in construction careers.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research is searching for proud craft professionals who exemplify craftsmanship to be featured in its Cornerstone of Craftsmanship campaign. NCCER is looking to feature individuals who possess a commitment to craftsmanship and the construction industry; craft professionals who have leveraged education and experience to reach the upper hierarchy of their profession, use their skills to give back to the community, and share their knowledge with others; and/or individuals who have followed a family member (or members) into the industry. Basically, individuals who are role models for other craft workers.The campaign is designed to help revive the meaning and importance of craftsmanship and reinstill pride, professionalism, and respect to the construction industry. This campaign spotlights organizations and craft professionals for their commitment to craftsmanship and the industry, while also educating the general public about the construction industry.The campaign consists of print advertisements, profiles of craft professionals, and promotional items. Craft professionals from AGC members Holder Construction and Zachry Construction, as well as an instructor from the Construction Industry Training Council in Washington, have been profiled so far.Learn more about the campaign, see the ads produced to date, and read the profiles.Interested individuals should fill out the profile form and submit a recent photo.For questions, please contact the NCCER marketing department at 352-334-0911 or marketing@nccer.org.

Attend Constructor Expo 2009 to see the latest equipment, tools, products and services you need to operate your company more efficiently and effectively!Meet with over 140 top equipment manufacturers and service providers, showcasing the newest:    • Labor saving equipment    • Innovative building materials    • Safety programs and equipment    • Insurance and surety solutions    • Required contractor services    • Specialized hardware    • Contractor focused software and technology solutionsConstructor Expo will feature Product-Specific Pavilions, including:    • Information Technology Pavilion featuring business, equipment, materials, and process management       software, products services and systems.    • Green Pavilion showcasing environmentally friendly technologies, materials and products.    • Safety Pavilion highlighting equipment and technologies to improve jobsite safety.    • Network with thousands of your industry peers    • Contractors    • Specialty Contractors    • Subcontractors    • Construction managers    • Engineers    • Other industry professionalsView the current list of exhibitors!Learn more and register for the AGC Convention.

STP provides “value added” to companies and their employees by developing effective supervisors.

AGC and The Family Business Institute have teamed up to offer a free webinar for CEO’s, “Where Do I turn for Answers in Tough Times?” The webinar will take place on January 28, 2009, at 2PM EST. Registration information can be found on the AGC site starting Monday, December 15, 2008.

Please join us for the 2009 Market Insights Series webinar presented by AGC of America and Reed Construction Data on January 27, 2009 at 2:00PM EST. Speakers Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America, and Jim Haughey, Chief Economist, Reed Construction Data will present the most up-to-date information on current economic construction conditions. Analysis from industry experts will include a look at current trends and a forecast of residential and nonresidential construction activity including the institutional, commercial, industrial and heavy engineering sectors.Topics include:    • The recession    • U.S. construction market    • Key market trends    • A look aheadRegistration for this event is FREE*. Register today!  For more information, please contact Carrie Harper at harperc@agc.org.*By registering for this webcast, you are agreeing that Reed Construction Data may share your registration information with sponsors currently shown and future sponsors of this event.

AGC members, chapter staff, and educators who are involved with or interested in learning about high school construction career academies should consider attending the April 22-24, 2009 Construction Career Academy Workshop, to be held in Portland, Oregon.Construction career academies are part of AGC of America's efforts to help provide skilled employees to the construction industry by introducing high school students to construction in a positive environment. Career academies incorporate core academic subjects with construction-related courses while encouraging professionals from the industry to partner with schools to provide materials, instruction support, mentoring, job-shadowing and internships.The workshop will help participants learn the steps necessary to establish a construction career academy; explore the advantages of the academy approach; and learn about the resources and support available from AGC of America and other organizations to assist in establishing an academy. Half of the workshop will be spent at the Architecture Construction and Engineering Academy recently opened through the efforts of Oregon-Columbia Chapter, AGC and its affiliates.Hotel rooms are available at $159 per night for single or double occupancy, plus tax at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront. The registration fee for this meeting is $125 per person for AGC members and chapter staff; $150 for non-members (including educators). Registration is currently available online at www.agc.org/cs/programs_events. For questions about registration, please contact Rockkie Dunton 703.837.5304, duntonr@agc.org. Cut-off date for registration and hotel accommodations is Tuesday, March 31, 2009.If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Liz Elvin at (703) 837-5389 or elvinl@agc.org. For more information about construction career academies, click here.

February 5-6, 2009, Arlington, VAThe STP Instructor Training Workshop is a two-day event that provides the skills essential to effectively instruct supervisory training courses-specifically how to teach adult learners, encourage interaction among program participants and use the training manuals to prepare for and deliver a class.Participants will also learn how to incorporate visual aids into the curriculum and get the most out of the instructor materials. Each workshop participant will have an opportunity to give a presentation and test newly-learned skills and receive constructive feedback.Who Should Attend?Individuals who:Want to learn specific techniques used to facilitate and present successful STP courses.Administer STP currently and want to attract more instructors.Want to learn about this highly successful educational program for the construction industry.Want to start STP in their area.Have just been (or want to be!) selected to facilitate STP.Registration deadline is January 22, 2009. For more information and to register please click here.For more information on the STP Instructor Training Workshops contact Stephanie Mullins at mullinss@agc.org or (703) 837-5387 or visit www.agc.org/STP.

On January 15, 2009 at 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST, AGC will conduct a webinar on the AFL-CIO’s top legislative priority – passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.  The proposed legislation could bring about major changes in labor law that will make 9(a) union organizing much easier.Join AGC for an important 90-minute webinar that will discuss the myths and facts surrounding this bill, as well as explain how this bill could affect your company if enacted and what you should do now to prepare. Click here for additional information on this key program and to register.For more information, contact Jim Young at (202) 547-0133 or youngj@agc.org.

Take advantage of this power-packed and informative January 27, 2009 one-day workshop, “Partnerships for Growth in Infrastructure: Contractors’ Risks and Opportunities with Public-Private Partnerships.”This program is designed to discuss the role contractors can play when forging public-private partnerships (PPPs), as well as explain how PPPs can work as a complement to the traditional public works development process. The conference will also provide an excellent opportunity to network with leaders in the PPP industry.  Featured expert speakers will elaborate on the role of PPPs as an addition, not a replacement, to the traditional public works funding and development process in federal, state and local markets.Register now at www.agc.org/pppconference, and get ready to explore the potential opportunities as well as the potential risks PPPs present for today’s contractor. Lock in the AGC/NCPPP special discounted hotel group rate of $229 + tax, per room, per night at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown conference site here.   (Discounted group rate not available after January 5, 2009).For more information, contact Jeff Shoaf at shoafj@agc.org.