Apprenticeship & Workforce Development

Dedicated to Educating Tomorrow's Workforce
News Releases ABC Keystone

Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter Expands Service Territory Throughout Central Pennsylvania

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.  

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A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: Celebrate the Apprenticeship Class of 2022!

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.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

Thirteen Students Seeking Education in Construction-related Careers Receive Scholarships from Merit Shop Training and Research Center

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.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

Local Construction Industry Professionals Awarded Craft Professionals of the Year Awards from ABC Keystone

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.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

84 Apprentices from Across the Region Graduate from ABC Keystone’s PA-registered Apprenticeship Program

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.

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Pre-apprenticeship - ABC Keystone

Workforce Development Update: Hello, Spring

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!

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News Releases ABC Keystone

Stephanie Larkin Accepts Berks Connections/Pretrial Services (BCPS) Paul J. Hoh Life Improvement Award on Behalf of ABC Keystone

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. 

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ABC Keystone President Message 12.27.22

Message from the President-CEO: ABC is in the House

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.

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A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: Focus on Workforce Development

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.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

Local Apprentices Win Bronze Medals at National Craft Championships

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.

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Employee Development ABC Keystone

New & Exciting Leadership Education in 2022

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.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

ABC Keystone to Host Construction Project Management Institute Taught by Nationally Recognized Subject Matter Expert

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.

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Top 10 block

Top Ten Reasons to Train Your Employees

ABC Keystone provides training for you and your team! Visit our calendar page to discover the latest career development education and safety training programs from the Keystone Chapter and discover the top 10 reasons to train your employees!

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ABC Keystone President Message 12.27.22

Message from the President-CEO: Initiative…Workforce Development!

One of the main focuses of ABC Keystone’s new three-year strategic plan is the continued expansion of our workforce development efforts. But first, we need to understand what ‘Workforce Development’ means. When I ask members for a definition, most say “getting people interested in our industry and then getting them employed.” Correct! However, that is just the first half of the concept. The second half is taking those that are already in the industry and continuing to develop them and grow their careers so we can retain them.

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