ABC announced three finalists for its annual Young Professional of the Year Award on Oct. 26. Finalists were chosen based on their career achievement, leadership and vision for the future of the commercial and industrial construction industry from a field of more than 30 nominations representing 20 ABC chapters across the country.

ABC of Michigan secured an important victory for electricians when Gov. Rick Snyder (R-Mich.) signed industry-backed Public Act 73  of 2016 on April 5. ABC of Michigan advocated for the legislation, which will increase the ratio from one to three apprentices per one journeyman electrician through an amendment of the Electrical Administrative Act. State Rep. Amanda Price (R-Holland) introduced the bill in January in response to a court decision in 2008 that lifted an injunction and cleared the way for a one-to-one ratio to be implemented. 

ABC congratulated the winners of its 2016 National Craft Championships competition during the March 4 Careers in Constructions awards held during the association’s Workforce Development Conference, March 1-4, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

If there’s one thing we can do collectively to advance our industry, it is to ensure that we continue to attract and retain talented people to meet the nation’s ever-increasing construction needs. October is Careers in Construction Month, and ABC is highlighting programs that promote life-long learning experience—and national recognition based on achievement at every level.

The next time you renew your membership in ABC, you will see an added contribution on your invoice for the Trimmer Construction Education Foundation (TCEF). Trimmer is ABC’s partner to help expand our skilled workforce and the affiliated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization is a critical part of ABC’s commitment to expand merit shop training programs and promote construction careers.

Do your apprentices and craft trainees have what it takes to win the national title of ABC Craft Champion? The 2016 National Craft Championships (NCC) is accepting competitor applications now.

Contractors looking to enhance their employees’ project management skills can enroll them to take part in the ABC Project Management Institute held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. The course includes two non-concurrent five-day sessions providing the students with tools to improve profitability and productivity and increase quality and customer satisfaction.

This fall, ABC is bringing back its annual Construction Management Career fair Nov. 11 in San Diego, where ABC members will have the opportunity to recruit from some of the leading construction management programs from around the country. 

In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 41,000 people, the 2015 National Craft Champions stood on the Washington Nationals field July 3 and were honored for their hard work as trained craftsmen. The crowd cheered them on while the ABC logo spread across the stadium, showcasing the theme of the night—free enterprise and freedom.

As part of a coalition, ABC submitted comments June 15 to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of Education (DOE) on proposed rules for the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). ABC and the coalition offered its input in a number of areas where the public workforce system under WIOA can be better aligned with the needs of employers.