This measure would proclaim October 2018 as Careers in Construction month to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce. This measure would request the Governor to issue a proclamation calling on the people of this state to observe the month of October 2018 with appropriate programs and educational activities.

WHEREAS, Careers in Construction Month is an annual month designated to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce; and

WHEREAS, During this month, employers, associations, and schools are encouraged to conduct job fairs, panel discussions, and local community events to inform students of the vast employment opportunities in construction; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry is one of our nations largest industries, employing more than 5 million individuals in the United States, and construction craft professionals have continued to play a critical role in the development of the State of California; and

WHEREAS, The workforce in California is becoming increasingly diversified and for this states construction industry to remain competitive in the global economy, it must also diversify its workforce by attracting significantly more women into the industry; and

WHEREAS, Women currently occupy only 10 percent of all apprenticeships and less than 3 percent of construction trade jobs nationally. As a state, we should support policy efforts to achieve at least 20 percent by 2020; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry in California has tremendous need for skilled and motivated workers, managers, and entrepreneurs from all segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry must strive to educate and inspire parents, educators, and career counselors to encourage Californias youth to enter into rewarding career opportunities in construction; and

WHEREAS, Rising costs of higher education and evolving employer workforce training needs make apprenticeship an increasingly important career pathway without the burden of student loans; and

WHEREAS, Construction industry workforce development process of accreditation, instructor certification, standardized curriculum, registry, assessment, and certification is a key component in the industrys workforce development efforts, and the organization also drives multiple initiatives to enhance career development and recruitment efforts for the industry, primarily through its Build Your Future campaign, its national image enhancement and recruitment initiative for the construction industry; and

WHEREAS, The collective industrys mission is to recruit the next generation of craft professionals by making career and technical education a priority in secondary schools, shifting negative public perception about careers in the construction industry, and providing a path from ambition to training and job placement as a craft professional; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims October 2018 as Careers in Construction Month, and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation calling on the people of the great State of California to observe the month of October 2018 with appropriate programs and educational activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: August 29, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Tony Thurmond, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 272 (

Author:Kiley) – As Introduced Ver:August 6, 2018

SUBJECT: Careers in Construction Month

SUMMARY: Recognizes October 2018 as Careers in Construction Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings and declarations:

1. Careers in Construction Month is an annual month designated to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce.
2. During this month, employers, associations, and schools are encouraged to conduct job fairs, panel discussions, and local community events to inform students of the vast employment opportunities in construction.
3. The construction industry is one of our nation’s largest industries, employing more than five million individuals in the United States, and construction craft professionals have continued to play a critical role in the development of the State of California.
4. The workforce in California is becoming increasingly diversified and for this state’s construction industry to remain competitive in the global economy, it must also diversify its workforce by attracting significantly more women into the industry.
5. Women currently occupy only 10 percent of all apprenticeships and less than three percent of construction trade jobs nationally. As a state, we should support policy efforts to achieve at least 20 percent by 2020.
6. The construction industry in California has tremendous need for skilled and motivated workers, managers, and entrepreneurs from all segments of the population.
7. The construction industry must strive to educate and inspire parents, educators, and career counselors to encourage California’s youth to enter into rewarding career opportunities in construction; and
8. Rising costs of higher education and evolving employer workforce training needs make apprenticeship an increasingly important career pathway without the burden of student loans.
9. Construction industry workforce development process of accreditation, instructor certification, standardized curriculum, registry, assessment, and certification is a key component in the industry’s workforce development efforts, and the organization also drives multiple initiatives to enhance career development and recruitment efforts for the industry, primarily through its Build Your Future campaign, its national image enhancement and recruitment initiative for the construction industry.
10. The collective industry’s mission is to recruit the next generation of craft professionals by making career and technical education a priority in secondary schools, shifting negative public perception about careers in the construction industry, and providing a path from ambition to training and job placement as a craft professional.

In addition, this resolution makes the following resolutions:

1. That the Legislature proclaims October 2018 as Careers in Construction Month, and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation calling on the people of the great State of California to observe the month of October 2018 with appropriate programs and educational activities.
2. That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS: According to the author, “Despite the fact that California construction workers are among the highest paid in the nation, for decades, construction, manufacturing and industrial careers were often characterized as low-paying and dirty jobs by career counselors, parents and by competing industries. In addition, state and federal policies have prioritized and funneled students towards 4-year degrees careers, while saddling graduates with behemoth student loan debts with dwindling and volatile employment opportunities. As a result, California faces a dramatic shortage of skilled workers causing delays and higher costs for construction projects. CA’s 800,000 workers in construction are unable to meet local, state and federal projects. With shortages of craft professionals, now is the time to reverse the labor shortage and to promote construction careers in California.”

Arguments in Support

The sponsors, Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange (SRBX), write that this measure “seeks to draw much-needed attention to career opportunities in construction and the trades by declaring that October is officially Careers in Construction Month.” SRBX argues, “for every 5 construction workers in California preparing for retirement, there is only 1 (5:1) to backfill those vacancies.” They continue, “As our state desperately tries to meet the state’s infrastructural needs and address the housing crisis by building more affordable housing for California families, we must do a better job to educate and inspire the next generation to build successful careers in construction.

Associated Building and Contractors, Northern California argues in support, “By recognizing the contributions made by the professionals working in construction, ACR 272, would instill a sense of pride in the industry, increase awareness, and foster a positive career image.”

Arguments in Opposition

The State Building and Constructions Trades Council (SBCTC) writes that they have sponsored numerous bills to “make a career in construction rewarding and help us recruit more apprentices into the industry. However, the author of ACR 272 voted against all of these measures and the sponsors are not listed on any of the committee analyses for these bills.” SBCTC continues, “Neither the author nor sponsors reached out to the SBCTC for our input on ACR 272 despite the fact that we represent 400,000 workers from every construction trade union in California including 90% of the apprentices in state-approved apprenticeship programs.” SBCTC asserts, “We don’t believe an author so clearly aligned against the interests of construction workers should carry an important resolution such as this.”

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Associated Building Contractors, Northern California

Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange (sponsor)

Opposition

State Building and Construction Trades Council

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Richard / L. & E. /