construction education

T h e N a t i o n a l C enter f o r C o n s tr u ct i o n E d u c a t i o n a n d R e s e a rc h
Construction Education
newsline
B u i l d i n g To m o r r o w ’ s Wo r k f o r c e | S p r i n g 2 0 0 8 | Vo l u m e 1 2 # 2
NCCER Launches
Craftsmanship Campaign
S
I
tarting this year, NCCER is launching the “Cornerstone of Craftsmanship”
campaign to showcase craft professionals for their commitment to true
craftsmanship and the construction industry. Craft professionals who have
leveraged education and experience to reach the upper echelon of their profession,
use their skills to give back to the community, and share their knowledge with
others will be featured for their exemplary craftsmanship. NCCER is introducing
this campaign to help revive the meaning and importance of craftsmanship in the
industry. This campaign is also aimed at helping to re-instill pride, professionalism,
and respect into the industry while rebuilding a
prestigious image of craft professionals.
The definition of craftsmanship is a skilled
worker or artisan who exudes quality in
everything they do. They perform tasks with pride
and honor, and they are proud of their profession.
True craftspeople encourage future generations of
workers to follow in their footsteps.
The “Cornerstone of Craftsmanship”
campaign will spotlight the commitment and
accomplishments of individual craft professionals,
while also educating the general public about our
industry. The campaign was initially introduced
in the 2007 NCCER Annual Report, Making a Difference,
which included profiles of many proud craft professionals.
“Our industry was built on a foundation of craftsmanship,” said Don Whyte,
NCCER president. “It is pride in craftsmanship that caused many generations of
workers to follow in their parent’s footsteps and enter our industry. It is crucial to
bring that era back.”
[ continued on page 7 ]
n response
to the many
green initiatives
throughout the
nation, from the
U.S. Green Building
Council’s LEED
rating system to
renewable energy
and recyclable
building materials,
NCCER is following the industry call of
“going green.”
NCCER is developing a new curricula
titled “Your Role in the Green Environment,”
which is expected to release in August
2008. This stand-alone module introduces
the concepts of the green environment by
allowing readers to calculate footprints,
explore natural resources, and define
the important role that the construction
industry plays in the environment.
“This module is focused on building a
‘green-collar workforce,’ heightening the
awareness of how each craft professional
can make a difference in helping the
environment,” said Daniele Stacey, NCCER
product development director.
Beginning with the Contren® Learning
Series Electrical Level One [ continued on page 3 ]
NCCER and McGraw Hill Construction Launch
New Online Career Center
I
n partnership with McGraw-Hill Construction, NCCER is pleased to offer job seekers access to
an online job board and resume database built exclusively for the construction, maintenance,
and pipeline industries.
Job seekers can showcase their NCCER credentials to future employers with the easy-to-use
resume wizard or other user-friendly tools. Employers will have access to construction resumes
and be able to search for craft professionals with NCCER credentials.
In addition to a job search function and resume builder, the career center will include up-todate information on construction wages, top construction crafts, an industry career path, a live
Web cam, and useful links for teachers and students researching construction careers. u
For more information, contact NCCER customer service at 888.622.3720 or visit careers.nccer.org.
inside
[NCCER Updates 2]
[Curriculum 4]
[Instructor Insight 8]
[Workforce Development 9]
[Partner 10]
[Calendar 12]
nccerupdates
REGISTRY STATS
NCCER
Receives Local
ADDY® Awards
April 2008
37,491 Craft Instructors
3,795 Master Trainers
4,285,004 Module Completions
To contact NCCER’s National Registry,
please call 352.334.0911 or fax 352.334.0929.
eStore Featured Product
Are you certified?
NCCER received two silver
ADDYs® at the annual Gainesville
Advertising Federation ADDY®
Awards banquet in February for the
2006-2007 Annual Report and new
NCCER Web site.
These awards honor the best in
local advertising and encompass
the highest creative standards in the
industry. Awarded by the American
Advertising Federation, the ADDY®
Awards are the nation’s largest
advertising competition—with
over 60,000 entries. Local entries
are judged by a distinguished panel
of advertisers from outside the
Gainesville market. Local winners
proceed to the district and national
competitions. u
Gainesville Advertising Federation
is a not-for-profit organization that
encourages growth within the local
advertising, marketing, and public
relations community.
2
NCCER Certified Decals
2” x 2” square weatherproof decal with rounded corners, two-color
NCCER logo and text.
Minimum Quantity: 1, $1.05 each
Production: 5 business days
Certified Written: Individuals successfully completing an NCCER
written assessment.
Certified Plus: Individuals successfully passing an NCCER written
assessment and corresponding performance verification.
http://store.nccer.org
nccerupdates
Going Green [ continued from page 1 ]
revision, all curricula revisions and
new developments will feature boxes
with green tips on ways to reduce
energy costs, clean the environment,
and save money.
“For the last decade, our industry
has held the expectation of being
environmentally friendly,” said Don
Whyte, NCCER president. “Today,
however, the expectation for green
construction is being driven to new
heights, and we want contractors to
be ready.”
NCCER will also begin printing
select marketing materials on paper
endorsed by the Forest Stewardship
Council, which was created to change the
practice of sustainable forest worldwide.
The intent of the FSC system is to shift
the market to eliminate habitat destruction,
water pollution, and displacement of indigenous
people and wildlife. In order to use the FSC
logo as an “environmental claim” on paper,
the product must have flowed through the
FSC “chain-of-custody” from the FSC-certified forest, to a paper
manufacturer, paper merchant, and finally printer who have FSC
chain-of-custody certification. u
Contren® Learning
Series Sales Specialists
Region 1 – IL, MI, NM, NY, OK, TX, WI
Brian Mann – Pearson Education
Ballston Spa, NY
Tel: 1-800-720-3870 ext. 5
[email protected]
Region 2 – AL, AR, IA, KS, LA,
MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, SD, TN
Bill Underwood - Pearson Education
Clifton Park, NY
Tel: 1-800-720-3870 ext. 3
[email protected]
Region 3 – CT, DE, IN, KY, MA,
ME, NH, NJ, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV
Jennifer Kloza - Pearson Education
Columbus, OH
Tel: 1-800-720-3870 ext. 1
[email protected]
Region 4 – DC, FL, GA, MD, NC,
SC, VA
Liz Myhre - Pearson Education
Holly Springs, NC
Tel: 1-800-720-3870 ext. 2
[email protected]
For more details on the upcoming green module, contact the NCCER
product development department at 888.622.3720. For more information
about the Forest Stewardship Council, please visit www.fsc.org.
Region 5 – AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI,
ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Karen Keith - Pearson Education
San Luis Obispo, CA
Tel: 1-800-720-3870 ext. 4
[email protected]
Construction Education Newsline
wants YOUR article!
Your story could be read by more than 15,000
training directors, contractors, owners, and
instructors nationwide! Nominate an instructor for the Instructor
Insight section, or tell us about your programs or stories to be featured
in the Sponsor Spotlight, Workforce Development, or Community
Builders sections. All articles submitted and published will be entered
into a drawing for an Apple® iPod Nano. Submit articles to the
NCCER marketing department at [email protected]. u
2
5
1
3
4
3
curriculum
What’s New?
Carpentry
Electrical
Level One, Carpentry Fundamentals
• Released in 2006
• Features additional building materials
• Expands on metal framing
• Includes a new module on basic stair
layout
All four levels of the Electrical curriculum will
reflect the 2008 National Electrical Code!
Level Two, Framing & Finishing
• Released in 2007
• Expanded to include more commercial
applications for door, cabinet, floor, ceiling
trim, and window installation
• Pinpoints two training paths within the
textbook coursemap: residential and
commercial
• Offers a specialty credential for
residential and/or commercial
carpentry
Level Three, Carpentry Forms
• Released in 2007
• Expanded to include installation of heavy
form systems
• Includes rigging-specific modules and a
renovated version of the tilt-up wall panels
module
• Offers a specialty credential for form
carpentry
Level Four, Advanced Carpentry
• Will be released in 2008
• Includes commercial finish work covering the variety of specialized finish
materials for interior and exterior work
• Includes site preparation - covering the
planning process that precedes the start
of work on a construction site, including
environmental considerations, personnel
issues, access roads, traffic control,
permits, site safety, utilities, and cranerelated concerns
• Offers a specialty credential in
advanced carpentry
4
Level One
• Will be released in 2008
• Features a new module, orientation to the
electrical trade
• Test equipment module completely
revised
Level Two
• Will be released in 2008
• Contains revisions to the electric lighting
module, including information on lamps,
ballasts, and components
• Pull and junction boxes module was
revised to cover boxes over 100 cubic
inches with additional information on NEC
requirements for handholes
• Updated conductor installations module
includes many new photographs
Level Three
• Will be released in 2008
• Includes enhancements to the practical
applications of lighting module with
additional information on induction and
LED lighting
• Code-driven worksheet added to motor
calculations module
• New voice, data, and video module covers
the role of the electrician in the installation
of various types of communication cables
Level Four
• Will be released in 2008
• New module, health care facilities, covers
the specific requirements of medical
systems, including emergency power with
heavy emphasis on code requirements
• New module, special locations, covers
many of the requirements in NEC Chapters
5 and 6 and various special installations,
including places of assembly, temporary
installations, wired partitions, agricultural
buildings, marinas, and more
Sprinkler Fitting
Levels 1–4 Reflect the 2007 National Fire
Protection Association 13 Standard for
Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
Level 4 Reflects the 2008 National Fire
Protection Association 28 Standard for
Inspection and Maintenance.
Level One
• Released in 2007
• New module, introduction to
components and systems, explains
common types of sprinkler heads and
characteristics of aboveground pipe, pipe
hangers, sway bracing, valves, alarms,
and fire department connections
Level Two
• Released in 2007
• Expands content to include backflow
preventers and tamper switches
• Additional information on firestopping
and sleeving
Level Three
• Released in 2007
• Includes information on corrosionresistant sprinklers and painting and
bagging of sprinklers
Level Four
• Will be released in 2008
• New module, proper procedures and
documentation, explains the importance
of proper documentation to ensure
correct installation and consequences of
unintentional releases
curriculum
Now Available!
Curriculum
u Carpentry Level Four
u E lectrical Level One
2008 NEC Revision
u E ST Level One-Two PowerPoints®
uC
arpentry Level One – Spanish
u Millwright Level Three
u P ipefitting Level Two PowerPoints®
NCCER Addresses Training Needs of
T
Hispanic Workforce
he structure of the workforce in the construction industry is
changing. More entry-level jobs are being filled by Hispanic
workers with different cultures and languages than ever before. It
is critical that contractors throughout the industry invest in training this
fast-growing segment of the workforce. NCCER has responded to the
industry’s need and developed both short- and long-term strategies for
Hispanic workforce development. These strategies include curricula and
assessment translations and instructional language courses.
NCCER has translated several Contren® Learning Series curricula titles
to Spanish. Those titles currently available include Core Curriculum:
Introductory Craft Skills, Carpentry Level One, Field Safety, Safety
Orientation, Scaffolding, Sprinkler Fitting Level One, and Rigging
Fundamentals. Other titles anticipated for a 2008 release include
Carpentry Level Two, Concrete Finishing, Drywall Level One, Electrical
Level One, Insulation, Masonry Level One, Pipefitting Level One, and
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar.
“Spanish-language adaptations of our curricula provide entry-level
training without the language barrier,” said Daniele Stacey, NCCER
director of product development. “Our long-term goal is that students
will become proficient enough to continue their craft training in
English.”
In addition to curricula, NCCER also offers a full line of craft skills
assessments to evaluate the knowledge and skill level of individual
workers in a specific craft area. Many assessments have been translated
to Spanish. Those currently available include Concrete Finisher, Core,
Industrial Insulation, Masonry, Reinforcing Iron and Rebar, Scaffold
Builder, and Rigging Fundamentals. Future assessment translations
include Industrial Carpentry, Industrial Pipefitting, Industrial
Ironworker, and Industrial Electrician.
NCCER is also developing an online instructional language series
scheduled to release throughout 2008 and 2009. This Internet-based
series will teach key construction phrases and vocabulary in order to
u R igging Fundamentals – Spanish
u Sheet Metal Level One
u S prinkler Fitting Level Four
Assessments
u Industrial Carpentry – Spanish
u R igging Fundamentals – Spanish
u Scaffold Builder – Spanish
Coming Soon!
Curriculum
uC
arpentry Fundamentals
Level One – Spanish
uM
asonry Level One – Spanish
u E lectrical Level Two 2008 NEC
Revision
u R einforcing Ironwork – Spanish
u HVAC Level Three
u Industrial Maintenance
E&I Level Two
u P lumbing Level Two-Three
PowerPoints®
u Y our Role in the Green
Environment
Assessments
u Industrial Electrician – Spanish
[ continued on page 10 ]
5
subjectmatterexperts
Sharing. Leading. Inspiring.
S
ubject Matter Experts are a vital part of the Contren®
Learning Series development process, ensuring that
Contren® remains current with industry standards.
SMEs share their knowledge and expertise with the
industry and inspire others to join the rewarding world of
construction.
Ladd Henley has been an SME for two years, participating
in Pipefitting revisions, as well as the Spanish translations
of Core, Pipefitting, and Insulating.
How did you get started in the industry?
I am a second generation welder and pipefitter with a
professional background in construction safety. I started
working with my father as a welder’s helper when I was just
16 years old.
Is there anybody in particular that has influenced your
career path?
Definitely, my father has. In general, all the generations of
hardworking craft professionals that have come before me.
What is most rewarding about your job?
It is and always has been an incredible feeling to
share knowledge with fellow craft
professionals. To be able to see the shine
in the eyes of a young person struggling
and fighting the same battles I fought
and helping them advance to the next
level gives me gratification.
Ladd Henley
What advice do you have to give to people in the industry
and to those considering entering into the industry?
Just like it says on the shoes, “Just do it!” Don’t look back.
Work hard and learn everything you can. Whatever it is
you are doing, do it better tomorrow! Hone your skills and
knowledge, and you will go far.
What is the most positive/memorable experience you have
had working in the industry?
The accolades my father and I received from the
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport for Safety and
Productivity. The project managers budgeted six weeks
to complete the boiler rooms. They were astonished
when we finished, without a single error, in only two
and a half. u
NCCER recognizes the following Subject Matter Experts for their contributions to curriculum and
assessment revisions:
Industrial Maintenance Electrical &
Instrumentation, front row, from left:
Ted Thomas, South Carolina Electric & Gas;
Marguerite Rome, Southern Company;
Alton Smith, Baltimore City Community
College; and Tom Burke, Topaz Publications.
Back row, from left: Jim Mitchem, TIC/
The Industrial Company; Mark Franklin,
Southern Company; Michael Wolk, South
Carolina Electric & Gas; and Bill Franklin,
Southern Company.
6
Rigging Fundamentals assessment in
Spanish, front row, from left: Julio Yglesias,
Austin Bridge & Road; Ray Ramírez,
Zachry Construction Corporation; and
Oscar Islas, Equipment & Riggers Center,
S.A. Back row, from left: Paul Naylor, Prov;
Jerry López, Laguna Crane Services; and
César Rebolledo, Zachry Construction
Corporation. Not pictured: Jimmy Herrara,
TIC Industrial.
Sprinkler Fitting, front row, from left:
Janet Knowles, American Fire Sprinkler
Association; Martin Workman, The Viking
Corporation; Daniele Stacey, NCCER; Dwight
Green, Simplex Grinnell LP; Lyle Hall,
Western Fire Protection; and Tom Burke,
Topaz Publications. Back row, from left:
Mark Fessenden, Tyco Fire Products; John
Denhardt, Strickland Fire Protection; Don
Kaufman, Kaufman Fire Protection; and Jack
Viola, HFP Corporation.
craftsmanship
Craftsmanship Campaign [ continued from page 1 ]
The campaign has messages tailored to specific segments of the construction industry, as well as features and
messages targeting the general public. These messages will explain what craftsmanship means to each group and
why craftsmanship, education, and certification are important to the industry.
The campaign also features new advertisements and promotions to be published in national education and
industry journals. A new section will be added to the NCCER Web site, as well as in the NCCER quarterly
newsletter, Construction Education Newsline. Other campaign components include brochures, emblems, decals,
patches, bumper stickers, banners, and vehicle magnets. Each of these components work together to bring an
awareness of the campaign and craftsmanship to everything in the built environment.
“We hope that organizations and individuals will display these items with pride and honor, and most
importantly, we hope these items will help tell the story of craftsmanship,” said Whyte. u
For more information on the Cornerstone of Craftsmanship campaign, contact the NCCER marketing department
at 888.622.3720.
Cornerstone of Craftsmanship
Joshua T. Bukiewicz
Journeyman electrician
Beacon Electric
Bukiewicz won the ABC
National Competition in
San Juan, Puerto Rico. He
took home new tools, a
cash prize, a gold medal,
and the title of Best
Electrical Apprentice.
Bukiewicz comes from a long lineage of electricians. His grandfather was a
lineman for Ohio Edison, and both his father and older brother were electricians.
Throughout his childhood, he was able to assist them with electrical work. His
childhood duties evolved into his present-day career.
Bukiewicz performs in a commercial setting at his current job. He runs
conduits, pulls wires, terminates gears, works with motor controls, and receives
and helps revise electrical drawings.
“I have been fortunate to be able to get a wide variety of experience in a short
amount of time,” said Bukiewicz.
The most rewarding part about his job is being able to turn on his creation at
the end of a project and watch it work.
“It is very gratifying to know that you had a part in building something that is
tangible and that you can take pride in the quality of the work you did,” he said.
Bukiewicz offers this advice to those wanting to get into the construction
industry: be constantly willing to learn, work hard, ask questions, and watch
those with experience perform their jobs. “Above all, take pride in doing quality work
because that is the sign of a true craftsman.”
7
instructorinsight
‘‘
Complete Dedication
Curtis C. Casey
Where do you teach?
I teach at Northland Pioneer College and Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology
in Show Low, Ariz.
How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching since 1995; I became an NCCER Certified Craft Instructor in 2000.
If you choose
What craft(s) do you teach?
I teach welding and welding inspection.
a career that
How did you get started in the industry?
In 1975, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a hull maintenance technician, working with nuclear
components on submarines for six years. Then I became a nuclear migratory worker for 14 years,
building and inspecting power plants all over the country.
you love, then
you’ll never
work a day in
‘‘
your life.
Do you want to
nominate a craft
instructor to be
featured in the
Instructor
Insight section?
Send your
nominations to
[email protected].
You could win an
Apple® iPod!
Is there anybody in particular that has influenced your career path?
My stepfather, Bill, was the main reason I joined the Navy — he was a career Navy man. I heard
many of his “sea stories” and was motivated to join right out of high school.
What is most rewarding about your job?
About two to three times a semester, a former student will visit the shop and let me know
about their successes. Some are traveling the country working plant outages, some have joined
the military, and others are at the local power plant. When they return, they are given a chance to
address the current class to let the younger students know what the real world is like and what to
do to prepare for it. They will brag about their salary and benefits, which usually eclipse mine. But
to hear that is better than any monetary reward, because what they are really saying is, “Thanks for
what you taught me, Mr. Casey.”
What advice do you have to give to people in the industry and to those considering entering
into the industry?
Those insistent upon entering the welding world should be of a competitive nature and need to
take basic training skills seriously to master the many certifications offered in the industry. The
more certifications you have, the more doors that will be opened for you.
What is your personal outlook for the industry’s future?
I tell my students, “It’s a great time to be a welder!” The industry is projecting a shortfall of
qualified welders over the next several years, and training institutions are scrambling to fill the
current and projected shortage of skilled craft professionals. There will be work for decades to
come in this industry.
What is the most positive/memorable experience you have had working in the industry?
This job as a welding teacher has been a collective of memorable experiences dealing with the
goals and dreams of students, the appreciation of the parents who see this opportunity literally as
a life saver for their child, and also the thrill of working with many colleagues with the same ideals
and dedication to the needs of their students. I’m very lucky to have two like-minded friends and
fellow teachers, Randy Hoskins and Frank Pinnell, who have taken the foundation of our welding
program and helped me build professional, competitive training facilities which effectively serve
our communities and are among the best in the state.
Have you won any awards or honors?
The 2006 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award.
Our institution has also been the SkillsUSA welding champions for the state of Arizona from
2001-2003. u
8
workforcedevelopment
Navit Serves Arizona
Career and Technical Needs
Construction
Education Champion
he Northern Arizona Vocational
Institute of Technology (NAVIT), an
accredited training and education
facility through Arizona Public Service, has
been giving back to the community and
those around it, specifically to a number
of Indian reservations that include Navajo,
Apache, Hopi, and Zuni Indians.
NAVIT instructors reach out to the
reservations by teaching the NCCER
welding curriculum free of charge. The
Indian reservations that surround NAVIT
account for 66 percent of the city of Show
Low’s county population and 20 percent of
the school’s students are Native American.
In addition to the work NAVIT extends
to the Indian reservations, the program
provides 11th- and 12th-grade students
technical training for welding, industrial
maintenance, and heavy equipment
operations in three skill levels: entry-level, advanced, and expert.
NAVIT has two different paths of completion. One is completers who
learn the trade through a two-year program to become certified by NCCER
and the American Welding Society while earning high school or college
credit; the other is graduates, which are students who complete the program
in succession with an Associate of Applied Science degree. Since the
program’s inception in 2003, there have been over 250 completers and 60
graduates.
NAVIT is able to provide this training as a result of the innovative
partnership involving many other companies including Northland Pioneer
College, Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power, Salt River Project,
and Abitibi Consolidated. u
NAVIT has been an NCCER Accredited Training and Education Facility
through the sponsorship of Arizona Public Service since 2003. Visit
www.navit.k12.az.us for more information about NAVIT.
Dean Wilks
received the first
NCCER Construction
Education
Champion Award
at the workforce
development
committee meeting
in Jacksonville, Fla., in March. The award
was presented by Dave Fuqua, NCCER
workforce development committee
chairman.
Wilks has served the construction
industry for 42 years. He began his career
as a pipefitter and welder in the mid1960's. He has taught at Lee Community
College in Baytown, Texas, for 26 years
and is currently the chair of workforce
training. Wilks has worked with NCCER
since 1995, when he became a certified
craft instructor.
The Construction Education Champion
Award is given to industry professionals
with at least 10 years of service to NCCER
who have made significant contributions
to construction education and workforce
development efforts. Nominations are
accepted year round and reviewed twice
a year at NCCER’s workforce development
committee meetings. u
For more information about the
Construction Education Champion Award,
contact Steve Greene at 888.622.3720.
T
The 2008 Careers in Construction Week is Oct.13-17. Register
your event and you could be featured on NCCER's Web site or in
Construction Education Newsline. The first 50 organizations to register
a Careers in Construction Week event by fax, mail, or on NCCER’s
Careers Web site at careers.nccer.org will receive a 2008 Build Your
Future mesh tote bag. Plus those who register by Sept. 1 will have a
chance to win an Apple® iPod Nano.
9
partner
Each issue of Construction Education Newsline highlights different NCCER partners. NCCER partners are organizations and
associations that share common goals and objectives, and NCCER works closely with each of its partners to help attract and
develop a skilled workforce. For a complete listing of NCCER partners, see page 11.
As the education partner of Associated Builders and
Contractors Inc., NCCER works closely with the national
office in Arlington, Va., and individual
chapters to develop standardized training
and workforce development resources for
the industry.
ABC is a national trade association
representing nearly 25,000 merit shop
contractors, subcontractors, material
suppliers and related firms in 78 chapters
across the United States. ABC’s membership represents
all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and
is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the
industry’s industrial and commercial sectors.
Through its national office and chapters, ABC’s
objective is to provide members with an organization to
address industry-wide issues. ABC’s activities encompass
government relations, legal advocacy, education, workforce
development, communications, technology, recognition
through national and chapter awards programs, employee
benefits and an online contractor search directory
that offers information on best practices and business
development.
ABC serves as the construction industry’s voice for the
legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal
government and for state and local governments, as
well as the news media. Listed among Fortune magazine’s
top 50 most influential national organizations, ABC
is devoted exclusively to the advancement of the merit
shop construction philosophy, which encourages open
competition and a free-enterprise approach that
awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of
labor affiliation.
The dramatic rise of ABC began in 1950 when seven
contractors gathered in Baltimore to create an association
based on the shared belief that construction
projects should be awarded on merit to the
most qualified and responsible low bidders.
Their courage and dedication to the merit
shop philosophy spread rapidly, and within
time, ABC became the fastest growing
association in the United States. Today, ABC is
recognized as one of the leading organizations
representing America’s business community and the U.S.
construction industry. u
For more information about the Associated Builders and
Contractors, please visit www.abc.org.
“abc’s member and chapters are the
leaders in our industry and understand
that the future of our industry depends
on our ability to ensure the workforce
of tomorrow. In partnership with
nccer, abc is leading the charge for
all companies to focus their energies
on craft training as the best means of
ensuring our industry’s growth in the
short- and long-term.”
— Bob Piper, Vice President of Workforce Development
Hispanic Workforce [ continued from page 5 ]
improve communication between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking employees on
the job site.
As the Hispanic workforce continues to grow, it is imperative to address the language
differences that may arise on the job site. NCCER provides the language training
resources to maintain a safe working environment and ensure quality construction.
These programs provide benefits for both employees and the company. Employees
will improve their language and craft skills and develop a career path within the
construction industry. Companies will benefit from increased productivity, employee morale and interactivity, job site
safety, and company safety performance. The result is a better industry for all. u
10
staffspotlight
on the spot
What are your job duties?
I overlook the development of curricula
and assessments from start to finish. I
recruit Subject Matter Experts (SMEs),
manage contracts and budgets, seek out
vendors, conduct SME meetings, edit,
translate, and perform many other duties as
needed.
Tania Domenech
How long have you been employed with
NCCER?
Project Manager
A little more than two years.
What do you like most about your job?
The diversity of people and crafts I get to know and learn about.
Where did you grow up?
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
NCCER is a not-for-profit education foundation
created to develop industry-driven standardized
craft training programs with portable credentials
and help address the critical skilled workforce
shortage facing the construction industry. The
following organizations are NCCER partners:
✦✦ American Fire Sprinkler Association
✦✦ Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.
✦✦ Associated General Contractors of America
✦✦ Association for Career and Technical Education
✦✦ Carolinas AGC, Inc.
✦✦ Carolinas Electrical Contractors Association
✦✦ Center for the Improvement of Construction
Management and Processes
✦✦ Construction Industry Institute
✦✦ Construction Users Roundtable
Any odd jobs?
Not really odd. I grew up on a farm, so I have had my share
of farm duties such as milking cows and assisting in animal
surgeries. I also drove bulldozers and tractors. Afterward, my
jobs ranged from freelance title researcher, legal assistant,
teaching assistant, and court analyst to my current position as a
project manager.
Tell us about your family.
I live with my husband Hector, and two adorable dogs, Ozzy, a
Papillon, and Treva, an American Eskimo.
Describe your educational background.
I have a Master of Arts in international studies and a Bachelor of
Arts in political science with a minor in French literature.
What hobbies do you have?
As an adrenaline junkie, I love mountain biking and any outdoor
activity. I also create a lot of stained glass and mosaic art. u
✦✦ Design Build Institute of America
✦✦ Electronic Systems Industry Consortium
✦✦ Merit Contractors Association of Canada
✦✦ Metal Building Manufacturers Association
✦✦ NACE International
✦✦ National Association of Minority Contractors
✦✦ National Association of Women in Construction
✦✦ National Insulation Association
✦✦ National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
✦✦ National Systems Contractors Association
✦✦ National Technical Honor Society
✦✦ National Utility Contractors Association
✦✦ NAWIC Education Foundation
✦✦ North American Crane Bureau
✦✦ North American Technician Excellence
✦✦ Painting & Decorating Contractors of America
Construction Education Newsline is published
quarterly by the National Center for Construction
Education and Research.
✦✦ Portland Cement Association
✦✦ SkillsUSA
✦✦ Steel Erectors Association of America
Marketing Director | Rachael Smith
✦✦ Texas Gulf Coast Chapter ABC
Marketing Manager | Katherine Staffa
✦✦ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Marketing Coordinator | Jasmine Talbott
✦✦ University of Florida
Designer | J&S Design Studio
✦✦ Women Construction Owners & Executives, USA
For questions or to submit an article, please contact the NCCER
marketing department at 888.622.3720 or [email protected].
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upcoming NCCER events
july
9-12
High Schools That Work Staff
Development Conference
Nashville, Tenn.
july
International CEA Conference
july
Training Tour
13-16
14-18
august
4-9
Denver, Colo.
Bellevue, Wash.
Training Tour
Gainesville, Fla.
questions? contact nccer at 888.622.3720
Route to Training Director
National Center for
Construction Education and Research
3600 NW 43rd St, Bldg G
Gainesville, FL 32606
Permit #705
Gainesville, FL
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Non-profit
Organization
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