CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The
partnership between the North Carolina Community College System
(NCCCS) and Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is helping address the workforce
shortage at a time when there are thousands of well-paying careers
available in construction, the NCCCS president says.
"There are great jobs and meaningful careers in the construction
industry…," said NCCCS President Peter
Hans. "The partnership with CAGC is another example of how
we work with business and industry to address their needs. By
aligning with our partners, we are meeting challenges, providing
opportunities for North Carolinians, and making a difference for
our state."
Hans' comments were made to about 75 attendees at a CAGC
quarterly Triangle luncheon in Durham on March
13. He said $200,000 that CAGC
helped secure from the NC General Assembly in 2017 is being used by
the NCCCS to help rebrand construction as a good career choice. He
said misperceptions exist about the industry, coupled with a
decades-long emphasis on earning four-year degrees that have had an
adverse impact on construction companies' ability to recruit
workers.
"North Carolina's construction
industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers to fill
crucial positions," he said. "Craftsmanship is a calling – we must
value those who build our community."
Hans said all 58 of North
Carolina's community colleges are educating future
carpenters, plumbers, electricians, welders, HVAC technicians, and
other skilled tradespeople. He commended North Carolina lawmakers for recognizing that
the construction worker shortage could have a negative impact on
public projects, such as roads and infrastructure, and for
appropriating the $200,000 to the NC
Community College System to raise awareness of construction as a
rewarding and well-paying career. Other points he made
included:
- The NCCCS-CAGC effort is developing promotional materials that
colleges and companies can use to undo myths about construction
careers (and redesigning CAGC's Build Your Career website).
- He said he is particularly excited about Durham Tech's construction summer camp last year.
The camp introduced a diverse group of high school students to a
variety of construction trades through hands-on learning activities
and demonstrations.
- Systemwide in 2017-18, enrollment in construction-related
curriculum programs at NC community colleges totaled 11,265 (15
different programs). Additionally, in 2018, there were 14,621
registrations in short-term training programs in construction
trades (30 different programs).
- Construction apprenticeships grew from 1,581 in 2018 to 1,840
this year.
"We want to see those numbers go up," Hans said. "Increased
participation in these programs (please continue to recruit by
visiting career fairs & schools as ambassadors) will be good
for your industry and good for our colleges. Early career
exploration is critical!"
For more information contact Betsy
Bailey, Director, NC Government Relations & Building
Division, (704) 372-1450 x. 5725, or Tammy
Ford, Director of CAGC's Build Your Career, (704) 372-1450,
x. 5224.
Carolinas AGC is the construction industry association in the
Carolinas, bringing value to our thousands of members through
networking, government relations, job leads, meetings with
owners/designers, education and training involving such issues as
safety and open shop, and community development. Visit us at
www.cagc.org, connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and
LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Carolinas AGC