We hear all the time from those outside our industry that we are not safe, yet we hear our members say they take “Safety First” seriously. Which is it? It’s probably a little bit of both. Statistically, over the last several decades our industry has continued to get safer. However, we can do better to reduce jobsite injuries and fatalities.
The Keystone Chapter has expanded its footprint from 10 counties of South-Central PA to a new footprint of 33 counties in Central PA. The Board of Directors for the ABC Central PA Chapter voted in May to have their Chapter consolidated into the ABC Keystone Chapter. Following this vote, your ABC Keystone Board of Directors voted to accept the consolidation. The final step was in June, when the National ABC Board voted to approve the consolidation as of June 14, 2022.
Manheim, Pa, June 16, 2022—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce the expansion of the Chapter’s service territory from an original 10-county footprint to 33 counties spanning central PA. The Central PA Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) has been consolidated into the ABC Keystone Chapter, made official by vote at the ABC National Board of Directors meeting on June 14, 2022, in Washington D.C.
It’s time to celebrate! How great it is to see individuals work hard, complete their training, and move on to the next stage of their lives. High school students are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives after school. College grads are looking for their first job and dealing with the student debt they have amassed. And, craft professionals have completed their education and are moving into their careers fully trained.
May 26, 2022 – Thirteen students from across Pennsylvania and Maryland were recently awarded scholarships from the Merit Shop Training and Research Center (MSTRC). The $24,500 in scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year brings the total to $574,850 that has been awarded by the MSTRC since its inception, helping students entering a career path in the construction industry.
Manheim, Pa, May 20, 2022—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce 2022 Craft Professionals of the Year Awards have been presented to Edgar E. Espenshade Jr. (Elizabethtown), Carpentry, Wohlsen Construction Company (Lancaster) and Bryan Williams (Bird-in-Hand), Electrical, C Mechanical Services (Lancaster). The awards ceremony took place during ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Graduation held on May 18, 2022, at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster. Edgar and Bryan received eagle trophies and gift cards in celebration of their achievements.
Manheim, Pa, May 20, 2022—ABC Keystone Apprenticeship & Training Trust is pleased to announce 84 apprentices have graduated from the Chapter’s PA-registered apprenticeship program in seven trades, including: Carpentry, Construction Craft Laborer, Electrical, Heavy Equipment Operator, HVAC, Masonry, and Plumbing. The ceremony took place on May 18, 2022, at the Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster.
Whew. March was quite the whirlwind, with the National Craft Competition in San Antonio, Texas (congratulations to our competitors on their achievements!) followed quickly by the spring Construction Wars event. ABC Keystone welcomed more than 200 students and 40 plus educators to our facility for three days of hands-on learning. We were fortunate to receive great press coverage – both in print and TV – so if you haven’t seen it, please check out our social media where it is featured. The foundation of the event is an incredible group of volunteers that I can’t possibly thank enough. We truly have the best members in the country!
Manheim, Pa, April 19, 2022—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce the Chapter was recently nominated and selected by the Berks Connections/Pretrial Services (BCPS) award committee to receive the Paul J. Hoh Life Improvement Award. The Paul J. Hoh Life Improvement Award recognizes an individual, organization or employer that has furthered the mission of BCPS by improving the lives of incarcerated individuals, reentrants, and their families. Paul Hoh, the award’s namesake, is one of BCPS’s founders and was the first board president. The award was presented at the Annual Life Improvement Breakfast on April 19, 2022.
It has been just a little over two years since Governor Wolf determined that construction was unessential, and the entire industry was shut down in PA. Shortly after, the ABC National Convention was cancelled. This annual event that focuses on the accomplishments of chapters and members would have to wait. 2021 would see a smaller version of the Convention with limited attendance and no National Craft Competition.
This month we want to focus on Workforce Development. The Workforce Development Committee is tasked with showcasing careers in construction and the talents of our members. They are to build bridges between the industry and educators on skills needed and careers available for K-12 and post-secondary students. The committee and staff liaison have been hard at work for many years building those bridges.
Manheim, Pa, April 8, 2022— The Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter is pleased to announce Cindy DeWire (Elizabethtown), Director of Apprenticeship, received her 30-Year Service Award at ABC National’s Convention 2022 in San Antonio on March 17.
Manheim, Pennsylvania, March 18—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce two of the Chapter’s top apprentices won bronze medals in the trades of Carpentry and Electrical at the ABC National 2022 National Craft Championships (NCC). Award winners were announced at the Careers in Construction Awards ceremony during ABC Convention 2022 in San Antonio on March 17. The 33rd annual competition held March 16 showcased the skills and expertise of more than 175 of the nation’s top-performing craft professionals.
The construction industry is constantly evolving. To stay relevant, companies must continually grow their talent. Making employee development a priority within your company culture ensures your team stays well-informed on industry trends, recent developments, and best practices.
Offering professional development boosts employee engagement, lowers turnover and attracts the top talent you want as part of your growing team. ABC Keystone offers continuing learning opportunities to help nurture your staff and provides a path for their development as industry leaders.
Manheim, PA, March 2, 2022—Associated Builders and Contractors-Keystone Chapter is pleased to announce the Chapter has been chosen to host ABC National’s prestigious Project Management Institute (PMI) during the weeks of May 16 and July 19, 2022. The intensive, two-week Project Management Institute is developed by experienced contractors and Kirk Alter, professor emeritus at Purdue University and president at Fast Management, Inc., Indiana. Mr. Alter is a nationally recognized subject matter expert with decades of construction project management experience. Today’s contractors face unique challenges, and this education experience is tailored to provide tangible tools to improve profitability, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
