Business Partnerships Support Workforce Development

Companies in construction and utility markets can launch successful workforce development initiatives by partnering with other businesses and area schools. Members of Southeastern Construction Owners and Associates Roundtable (SCOAR) are working together to do just that.

“Meeting discussions often turn to concerns over how to fill jobs with qualified workers and the future workforce,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS, and a member of the SCOAR Workforce Development Committee. “The association fosters collaboration, and several member companies have taken the initiative to work toward increasing the qualified labor pool in the Southeast.”

Crane Industry Services, LLC is working together with representatives from utility construction company Graycor Southern Inc., Kennesaw, Ga., electrical substation constructor Aubrey Silvey, Carrollton, Ga., equipment rental provider United Rentals, and Bremen High School, Bremen, Ga.

“Often, school systems need assistance from industry to develop relevant skills-based craft training curriculum, but don’t know where to start,” said Dickinson. CIS recommended using NCCER Core Curriculum. Module 1 Basic Safety is similar to an OSHA 10-hour training. CIS staff instructor Noel Whelchel, who has a Georgia Teaching Certificate, will deliver this class. “I hope it encourages them to consider a career in a craft trade,” he said.

As part of the partnership, Graycor Southern’s Safety Director John Paul White and Vice President of Operations Shawn Buchanan visited Bremen High School. “In our discussions with students we demonstrated how working in craft trades is a viable career option,” said White. “Our goal was to show them there are paths for success besides college.”

White believes having construction-related businesses involved in a workforce development program at the middle- and high-school level is a great thing. “You can show the future of our country that construction companies are willing to invest in them as long as they are willing to put forth an effort.”

Workforce Development is a good investment for the industry and your community. Dickinson encourages other contractors, training providers, and equipment suppliers to launch workforce development programs with their local schools. Here are tips and suggestions:

• Determine what your company can offer. That might include resources in the form of equipment or tools, facilities, personnel, or knowledge. “Students are not being taught skill-based work and safety, so use your resources in that context,” says Dickinson.
• Determine the age group you want to work with. Don’t rule out middle schoolers. It’s a good age to simply introduce students to the many career options in construction or heavy industry.
• Understand the needs of the school and your audience. Options include field trip opportunities at your facility, internship programs, extra-curricular programming, and curriculum development.
• Become familiar with the high-school curriculum. Schools have state curriculums, and classes should be tailored accordingly. “It’s beneficial to coordinate with state requirements so the programming is something they recognize on their educational track,” she says. The state education department and the school can work with you to determine how their resources will work with yours to most benefit the students and meet their curriculum requirements.
• Network with other businesses. Let other companies know what you are doing, then work together. CIS tapped relationships from trade associations and local Chambers of Commerce. “As it happened, the President of our customer Aubrey Silvey is on the board of the local high school. The manager for United Rentals has a daughter who was starting school at Bremen High. Those vested interests all helped solidify the partnerships and the common goals that we share,” explains Dickinson.
• Seek out the school district’s director for career and technical education or the local sponsor for programs like SkillsUSA. If you are having trouble finding the right school contact, another resource is the Association for Career and Technical Education, which has state level directors.