The Merit Shop Spokesman Blog

Twelve Lancaster County Students Discover Careers in Construction at ABC Keystone’s First-ever Construction Summer Camp for Girls

Manheim, Pa, July 12, 2021— During the week of June 14-18, 2021, 12 female students from Lancaster County attended a week-long summer camp at ABC Keystone’s training facility in Manheim. The All ‘bout Construction (ABC) Girls Camp (grant-funded by the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board), was a first-ever program offered by the Chapter and provided the students with the opportunity to meet with female construction industry leaders in addition to visiting jobsites of local contractors and learning beginner trade skills. During the week, the campers used the knowledge and training they gained to create their very own steampunk-themed, lighted charging station.

July 12, 2021

A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: Stay Focused and in Control!

Are you along for the ride, just going with the flow, or are you directing the course and determining the outcome? As businesspersons, leaders, and managers, are we spending our talents and treasure on those activities that bring the best results, or, are we allowing time and events to slowly divert control of our companies away from our choices and decision-making and instead towards mandates made by government? Are we voluntarily giving up control?

June 28, 2021

Advocacy Update: ABC Making an Impact

It was a busy and impactful June for ABC public policy priorities. The House Commerce Committee advanced House Bill 424, which would prohibit indemnity clauses in construction contracts, by a vote of 23-1. We anticipate the bill will advance to the full House in the fall session. We provided comments on various pieces of legislation that would impact our members. We also supported legislation that would waive federal environmental permits on construction sites of less than five acres. Most significantly, we saw action on legislation (House Bill 536) that would reform the state’s mandated journeyworker-to-apprentice ratio rules, which have discriminated against the merit shop for 60 years.

June 28, 2021

A Time of Action

A new session is well underway, and ABC is making a difference. Along with COVID-19 issues, the top priority of elected leaders in Harrisburg is preparing a 2021-22 state budget and passing legislation that gets Pennsylvanians back to work. Despite the ongoing pandemic, ABC of Pennsylvania’s government affairs program has been highly active. Though we are only six months into the new session, we have made progress on the following issues:

June 21, 2021

Member Spotlight: Sahd Metal Recycling

Sahd Metal Recycling is a third-generation family business processing scrap metal in Columbia and offering 24-hour dumpster service for industry, whether it is at the shop or on the jobsite. We sustainably process scrap metal through baling, torching, or shearing so we can resell to mills and foundries for reuse. The company provides transparent formula pricing for metals and ticket information with prompt pay and provides customers with recycling reporting for municipality record keeping.

June 8, 2021

Message from the Chair: Preparing for the Future

We are now in the month of June. It is our mid-way point for 2021, and I want to begin by recognizing and congratulating our dedicated Apprenticeship leaders and training staff for a championship year! Cindy DeWire (Director of Apprenticeship), her assistant Erin Hiles, and our instructors have done a great job making this an incredibly successful year – we thank you all for your hard work and dedication! Your outstanding efforts have allowed ABC Keystone to graduate the largest class in over 15 years! 108 apprentices from seven trades walked the stage on May 20, at the Clipper Magazine Stadium (home of the Lancaster Barnstormers)!

June 8, 2021

Welcome to the Circus: Performer Relationships Key to Success

The big top. A fantastic display of jaw dropping stunts and tricks, consisting of numerous acts, all unique in their own way, fueled by the applause and excitement of the crowd. Each individual act is equally important and plays a key role. The circus has one person in the center, the driver behind the whole show, the ringmaster. The ringmaster guides the program from act to act to maintain the crowd’s excitement, produce the best show possible and convince the crowd to come back. It is important that the ringmaster and the performers see eye-to-eye and work together for the entire show. The key to a fantastic circus is not one specific act, but instead every individual piece working together seamlessly under the direction of the ringmaster.

June 4, 2021

Young Professionals Spotlight

Meet Dan Redcay, Project Engineer, Wohlsen Construction Company

As a Young Professional, how has your involvement with ABC Keystone helped you?
I have only been a member of ABC for a few short months but growing up in the industry and in Lancaster County, I’ve known about the Chapter since I was young. I’ve already met and connected with several professionals, made some new friends, as well as contributed to making Central PA a better place. Being a part of ABC Keystone has been valuable to me.

June 2, 2021

ABC Member ROI: Engagement Pays Dividends!

When you invest in membership with ABC Keystone, your ROI directly correlates to your company’s level of engagement. You gain dividends far beyond your investment by taking advantage of your benefits. These include member-exclusive discounts on training, education, and affinity programs; numerous business development events and committee meetings throughout the year providing you the opportunity to build relationships with ABC members looking for your products and services; and dedicated advocacy efforts taking place at the state and federal level on behalf of your business.

June 1, 2021

ABC Keystone Apprenticeship Training Trust Graduates Record-breaking Total of 108 Apprentices

Manheim, Pa, May 25, 2021—ABC Keystone Apprenticeship & Training Trust (KATT) is pleased to announce a record-breaking total of 108 apprentices have graduated in seven trades, including: Carpentry, Construction Craft Laborer, Electrical, Heavy Equipment Operator, HVAC, Plumbing and Sheet Metal. The ceremony took place on May 20, 2021, at the Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster.

May 25, 2021

Local Construction Industry Professional Awarded Craft Professional of the Year from ABC Keystone

Manheim, Pa, May 24, 2021—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce the 2021 Craft Professional of the Year Award (Carpentry) has been presented to George Caldwell (Holtwood), Wohlsen Construction Company (Lancaster). George received an eagle trophy and gift card when the announcement was made during ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Graduation & Craft Professional of the Year Award Ceremony held on May 20, 2021, at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster.

May 24, 2021

Advocacy Update: The Results Are In

Another primary election has come and gone. Turnout this year was typical of most odd-numbered year elections, with between 20-25% of eligible voters casting ballots. Generally, there were more challenges on the Democratic ticket, and the trend continues where incumbent Democrats lost to candidates farther to the Left. Regarding special elections for open state House and Senate seats, the results went as expected with no flips. The results are in:

May 24, 2021

Message from the President-CEO: Prevailing Wage Jobs? Contractors, Beware!

Prevailing wage work has been around since the Sixties. In Pennsylvania, a majority of the work on PA prevailing wage jobs is constructed by Merit Shop Contractors. As with any government funded project, contractors need to be aware of the risks, the rules and all the requirements placed on the job by the contracting agency.

May 6, 2021

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

MANHEIM, Pa, May 5, 2021 – Twelve deserving individuals were recently awarded scholarships from the Merit Shop Training and Research Center (MSTRC). The $14,500 in scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year brings the total to $550,350 that has been awarded by MSTRC since its inception, helping students entering a career path in the construction industry.

May 5, 2021

Reap the Value of Your Investment

As the blossoms and beauty of May abound all around us, it is a great time to reflect on the value of our membership in ABC. Let me begin by thanking many of you for attending my Inauguration on April 16, at the Marriott, in downtown Lancaster. It was great to see so many of you in person, at what hopefully will be the first and only Inaugural delayed by a pandemic. It was an unusual Inaugural for sure, one without “swearing in,” of the board, as that was done virtually and on schedule in January. Again, thank you to everyone for your support!

May 4, 2021

The Latest Chapter News from ABC Keystone