The success of AGC’s legislative efforts to promote career technical education (CTE) has garnered success in several areas of the state and opportunities for involvement where the industry can influence the outcomes associated with those state funds.
One shining example: since September 2014, AGC members have been working with teachers and administrators from participating high schools located within the Lane County Educational Service District (ESD). Early in the process, Judy Betts, formerly of Hamilton Construction Company, and Tom Goodhue of Oregon Building Congress, helped to direct Lane ESD on the design and desired outcomes for both new and existing CTE programs contained in their revitalization grant. As a result of that process, several other member contractors participated in sessions to enlighten educators on industry practices. Con O’Connor of Hamilton Construction Company shared the construction sequencing and process involved in the replacement of the I-5 Bridge south of Springfield. Rick McMurry of Baldwin General Contracting, formerly of Todd Hess Building Company, taught two separate sessions, one on project management and the other on job costing and estimating. Grant Lappi with Lease Crutcher Lewis led a tour of LCL’s current project at Lane Community College, while Mike Wildish took instructors to several properties Wildish Construction Co. has completed in the Eugene/Springfield area.
The Lane ESD educators involved in these sessions expressed that they were amazed and truly engaged in the process, and walked away exhausted and buzzing about their next steps and what they can do in their classrooms. An opportunity for teacher internships with AGC member firms may be on the horizon as well.
AGC members continue to demonstrate they are active, involved, and very much engaged in reaching out to schools in search of the construction workforce of the future.