INVESTING IN THE FUTURE WORKFORCE


Abigail Palomares, Build California Manager


of a diverse team made up of AGC, industry leaders and union representatives who built out the framework and the curriculum for the new e-cademy over the past several months.


Two Pathways of Instruction So how exactly does it work? Tere


are two pathways of online instruction in e-cademy. Te first, “Explore and Learn,” focuses on helping students interactively learn about many of the “fun” aspects of construction; curriculum includes things like robots in construction, woodshop, technology in construction and of course, an intro- duction to Build California. “In Build California e-cademy


courses, we cover the fun, dynamic aspects of construction that a lot of young people don’t know about and the awesome projects we get to build,” said Palomares. “Not only that, with our e-cademy, we are able to cultivate and sustain student interest in construction careers from their early years through high school until they qualify for a pre-apprenticeship/ apprenticeship programs.” Continuing the theme of


promoting awareness to action, the second educational pathway of e-cademy is the “Construction Ready Certificate” track. Tis comprises four one-hour courses: introduction to skilled trades, introduction to apprenticeships, get jobsite ready, and introduction to construction management. Tis curriculum was created with


the help of a committee consisting of labor and management partners, including: A-C Electric Company, Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California, Flatiron


www.AGC-CA.org


Construction Corporation, Laborers Southern California Joint Appren- ticeship Committee, Northern California Laborers Training Center, Royal Electric Company, and Southern California Carpenters Joint Appren- ticeship & Training Committee. At the completion of this track,


participants receive a certificate that AGC partner organizations such as unions, apprenticeship programs and member firms will recognize as an indication that the student has done their research and is seriously interested in taking the next step. Tis certificate is designed to serve as a way to increase readiness and knowledge as they take the next


“With e-cademy, one of our goals is to spread awareness and expose young people to what the construction industry truly looks like and who works in it.” - Abigail Palomares, Build California Manager


step in their construction career; it is not a substitute for the training and education they will receive from a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program. Te course concludes with a


30-to-60-minute career coaching session with a Build California staff member who can help connect the student to partner organizations, apprenticeship opportunities, member firms or schools, depending on their desired pathway.


Measuring the Impact A key component of the newly


launched e-cademy is the ability to measure its impact over time. Te program is set up to track how many students who took the courses enter pre-apprenticeship programs or go to work for member companies. “We’ll be able to track the students


who enter our Build California pipeline and how many of them are actually entering the workforce/industry,” Palomares said. “As great and impactful as Build California is, we really want to make sure we it is meeting the intent and creating a steady workforce. With e-cademy, that is exactly what we will be able to do.” 


Students at a local career awareness event that featured Build California. Associated General Contractors of California 13


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