News for Workforce Development
Legislature passes Initiative 1000 regarding affirmative action
In a surprise and last-minute move, the Legislature passed Initiative 1000 which would once again allow affirmative action programs in the state.
Posted on: 04/30/2019
Difficulty finding qualified craft workers is a near universal problem for the industry
Almost all of you are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by Autodesk and AGC of America.
Posted on: 09/11/2018
State of Washington requests participants in disparity study
The State is requesting the participation of business owners to discuss their experiences with doing business with the State of Washington.
Posted on: 04/23/2018
AGC of Washington honors Sen. Guy Palumbo
Senator Guy Palumbo (D-1) was honored as a “Champion of Construction” by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Washington on October 12. AGC recognized Palumbo for his work to sponsor and secure passage of legislation to promote workforce training and apprenticeship programs.
Posted on: 10/17/2017
AGC’s career awareness legislation signed into law
In a victory for AGC, career awareness legislation spearheaded by the association was signed into law by Gov. Inslee last week.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
AGC of America pushes Perkins Act reauthorization
Legislation reauthorizing and updating the Perkins Act was introduced in Congress recently.
Posted on: 05/08/2017
AGC’s career awareness proposal advances in Legislature
Nancy Munro, Executive Manager for MidMountain Contractors and Immediate Past President of AGC, testified alongside AGC Executive Vice President David D’Hondt in support of SSB 5713, AGC-backed legislation that creates a matching grant program to fund skilled worker outreach and recruitment efforts for industries, such as construction, that are facing a workforce shortage.
Posted on: 03/28/2017
AGC’s Career Awareness Bill
AGC’s Past President Nancy Munro and Executive Vice President David D’Hondt testified before the Senate Higher Education Committee in support of AGC priority legislation that would create a career awareness training.
Posted on: 02/28/2017
Act now: Support career- and tech-education bill in Congress
The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, legislation which would reauthorize and reform the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Posted on: 07/11/2016
Having trouble finding qualified workers? You’re not alone!
An overwhelming majority of construction firms report trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as demand for construction continues to rebound in many parts of the country, according to the results of an industry-wide survey released by AGC of America.
Posted on: 10/13/2015
Dawgs, Cougs bring home the hardware once again
Student teams from the University of Washington and Washington State University continued their winning ways bringing home top awards from the 2015 Associated Schools of Construction competition in Sparks NV February 10-13.
Shown here (clockwise from top left) the UW took first place overall in ...
Posted on: 03/16/2015
Advanced Management, Project Manager courses from AGC of America
Two of AGC of Americas most popular and acclaimed courses are the Advanced Management Program and Construction Project-Manager Course.
For construction leaders on the rise no program provides a more comprehensive uniquely focused program than AGC’s Advanced Management Program (AMP). Suited for c...
Posted on: 02/10/2015
CITC opens craft-laborers program
As of January 15 2015 CITC has been approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) for a Construction-Craft Laborers apprenticeship program. The new program is statewide which means that if a company participates in their laborers program apprentices can work anywher...
Posted on: 01/30/2015
Students go hands-on at 2014 Construction Career Day
Hundreds of students from area high schools once again converged on Seattles Magnuson Park on October 9 to get up-close and personal and even hands-on with a wide range of construction trades. Students tried their hand at activities such as laying mortar on brick survey map reading and running a ...
Posted on: 10/13/2014
AGC protests exclusion of women-owned firms from WSDOT DBE program
WSDOT is moving forward with its proposal to exclude non-minority women-owned businesses from Washingtons DBE program goals for federally-funded contracts. WSDOT recently submitted its proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). If approved by FHWA th...
Posted on: 06/10/2014
AGC of America joins Hiring Our Heroes program to add 100K vets to workforce
AGC of America announced that it is joining the national Hiring Our Heroes program as part of the construction industry’s effort to add 100000 veterans over five years. The new partnership will make it easier for construction contractors to find recruit and hire veterans association officials add...
Posted on: 06/10/2014
CWU construction program gets boost from AGC
With help from the AGC of Washington an endowment has been established at Central Washington University’s Construction Management program that provides continuous funding for classroom equipment construction outreach and education.
AGC recently made the last installment on a $50000 pledge for CW...
Posted on: 04/28/2014
Rep. Larsen talks workforce, transportation with AGC
AGC members Brett Ferullo (Northwest Construction) Chuck Lutrell (Dawson Construction) and AGC Northern District Manager Liz Evans recently had the opportunity to sit down with Congressman Rick Larsen (photo) for a conversation on various issues affecting the construction industry and Washington ...
Posted on: 03/17/2014
AGCEF Helps Students Transition from College to Work
The AGC Education Foundation is helping students from our state universities transition from their education into the industry. AGCEF sponsored and designed a mentorship program that allows construction-management students from CWU UW and WSU to network with former scholarship recipients donor...
Posted on: 12/02/2013
New: Lean Construction Certification Program from AGCEF
Learn new lean techniques and approaches that reduce costs reduce schedules improve quality and remove variability and risk in your projects. The curriculum is designed and provided by Professional Engineers. Click Lean Construction.
Posted on: 10/08/2013
74% of Construction Firms Having Trouble Finding Qualified Workers
Nearly three-fourths of construction firms across the country report that they are having trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots amid concerns that labor shortages will only get worse according to the results of an industry-wide survey released today by AGC of America. Associa...
Posted on: 09/09/2013
Construction Career Day Shows Teens the Possibilities
More than 900 students from 31 high schools throughout the region got a close-up look at rewarding and interesting construction careers during King County Construction Career Days held at Magnuson Park in Seattle Oct. 3 and 4.
The event is aimed at reaching future workers long before theyre seri...
Posted on: 10/16/2012
SSCC Expands Gene J. Colin Education Hall
Last week local dignitaries helped South Seattle Community College officials officially open a new building for expanded teaching and training programs.
The facility at the Georgetown Campus expands technology and business development training at the Gene J. Colin Education Hall named for the Fe...
Posted on: 10/01/2012
Great Learning Opportunity for Your PMs, PEs and More!
by Steve Isenhart President AGC of Washington
I wanted to alert you to a valuable opportunity available to the early- and mid-career professionals in your firm.
September 20-22 2012 AGC of Washington and AGC of America will host the national AGC Construction Leadership Councils Fall Working Wee...
Posted on: 07/24/2012
Leaving in Droves: Workforce Shortage Looms
“It is tough to attract and retain workers when employment gains are so spotty” noted AGC of Americas Chief Economist Ken Simonson. “With workers finding jobs in other industries retiring or returning to school contractors face a potential shortage of skilled workers in a year or two.”
Thats the...