Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Greater Houston presented the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) awards at the July ABC Membership Breakfast. The Greater Houston chapter has 70 contractor member companies who are participating in STEP - including 52 Diamond and Platinum level recipients, the highest of the program’s accolades.The STEP program was established in 1989 by the ABC National Environment, Health & Safety Committee. It was developed and written by contractors, for contractors. Participating in STEP provides contractors with an opportunity to measure their progress through a 20 Key Component self-evaluation to identify areas of improvement and benchmark performance with fellow ABC members. More specifically, the program:
With the skills gap widening and projecting to increase, Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF) will open up a new doorway for veterans to enter a career in construction, providing training for free.CMEF will be offering a free jumpstart training course for veterans at Camp Hope in the beginning of summer 2015. This course will provide a Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO) certification. Director of Education Glen O’Mary said the demand for an equipment operator will make the certification more valuable, making it easier for veterans to begin their career in the construction industry. O’Mary, a veteran himself, said training in the military is very similar for training on the jobsite. There are parallels, he described, in the continuation of education and training, safety, procedures, hours and overall work.
April 09, 2015
RUS Industrial recently donated more than $150,000 worth of electrical materials to Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF) as a show of support to craft training and electrical education.According to Vice President Kevin Laird, RUS Industrial chose CMEF for their hefty donation to assist in the development of training programs. This generous donation will expand CMEF’s ability to provide electrical training and certifications.“The advanced electrical equipment will allow CMEF students access to top-of-the-line training equipment in their craft. With this donation we can begin offering advanced electrical education courses, which is critical in our efforts in training a safe, sustainable workforce,” CMEF Training Manager Blair Williamson said.
March 27, 2015
The word “audit” doesn’t necessarily have the most pleasant connotation for most non-profits. However, Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF), the training affiliate of Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston, successfully passed their recent NCCER audit. After a training facility is accredited by NCCER, they participate in an audit every three years as part of the reaccreditation process. Acting almost as a review, an auditor will assess the facility’s effectiveness by evaluating equipment, classes, student performance and instructor records. NCCER awarded CMEF the Accredited Assessment Center and Accredited Training Sponsor Certificates, and endorsed the Foundation for Mobile Crane and Rigger/Signal Person certification delivery.
January 09, 2015
Leadership Forum: “Not only did it help me professionally, but it helps me do better in life.”Editor’s note: The Leadership Forum will be conducted January 8, 2015 – May 29, 2015 at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston, 3910 Kirby Dr., Ste. 131, Houston, TX 77098ABC’s Leadership Forum consists of 10 sessions over the span of 10 weeks. Attendees learn about team building, communication, negotiation and much more. Ray Beaudet, operations and senior project manager with Griesenbeck Architectural Products, Inc., was first to admit he thought himself to be a pro at these skills. And with a booming Houston market, he struggled to even think of separating from his desk. So when Beaudet’s boss signed him up for ABC’s Leadership Forum, he wasn’t exactly thrilled.
December 12, 2014
In the grand foyer at Wortham Theater filled with more than 200 construction professionals, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston awarded members for their outstanding project achievements at the Excellence in Construction Gala on October 30.ABC Member companies submitted their impressive projects to be reviewed by industry expert judges. These projects ranged from heavy industrial to commercial and interior renovations. Keeping with ABC's commitment to safety, the majority of the submissions had no reported injuries or incidents during their extensive and remarkable work.The event, led by guest emcee Josh Reno, 20-year radio veteran with 94.5 the Buzz in Houston, honored these projects that create the landscape of Houston and beyond. At the end of the evening, ABC awarded the coveted “Best of Houston” award toE.E. Reed Construction for their outstanding work.
November 20, 2014
The advice KBR Pipe Supervisor Chris Pullen offers to new craft professionals on the worksite is a testament to his own career.“Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Get the training you can. Try and learn from everyone around you.”Pullen applies his own advice during his regimented days, fitting in a work schedule, night classes and family time. His career goals in the construction industry push him to fill his agenda, even from the very start of his craft profession. The option to enter the construction industry seemed like the right decision to Pullen. He says he likes to build things, and the industry presented opportunities for growth. But at times, his path up the career ladder was a trying trip.
September 04, 2014
