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CONSTRUCTION PATHWAY - MINUTES
Nebraska Career Pathways Project
FutureForce Construction
Executive Planning Summary
May 2, 2006 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Mid-Plains – North Platte Campus
In Attendance: Bob Anderson, Gering High Mary Katos, ADC,
Julie Barger, ESU 16 Megan McGown, Cheyenne County Chamber,
Bob Carlson, AOI Keith Meyer, DOR,
Kelly Christensen, Central CC Jean Petsch, AGC-NE Building Chapter,
Bruce Dowse, Mid-Plains CC Ron Petsch, Southeast CC,
Tony Glenn, Dept of Ed Jim Row, Heavy Equipment Training Academy,
John Hakonson, Sidney Public Schools Ryan Runge, Potter-Dix Schools,
Dale Janitscheck, Central CC Deanna Trowbridge, Western NE CC,
Lisa Jennings, FutureForce Coordinator
Marilyn McGahan, Mid-Plains Community College, Linda Kehn, Nebraska Workforce Development - Scottsbluff
Welcome & Introductions
Jean welcomed everyone and introductions were made. Jean emphasized that the group
should have some action items and timeline by the end of the meeting.
FutureForce Overview
Tony Glenn provided an overview of the project, which is based on the restructuring of the
Department of Ed, Career Education, focusing on the career clusters model. Five pathway
projects are currently being piloted. Funding for the projects has been largely Perkins
Incentive dollars and WIA funding with the Dept of Labor. The project has brought state
agencies together working collaboratively for the economic development of the state.
Construction Pathway Mission & Goals
Jean Petsch went over the Mission and Goals handout.
Pilot Site Selections & Key Players – Why Are We Here?
Jean Petsch explained to the group that the pilot sites would be collaborating with the local
mix of business and industry, along with the state agencies, educational institutions, and
heavy highway.
Employer Skills Requirements
Jean Petsch shared feedback from students and employers who have been involved with the
internship programs at UNO, UNK and UNL. Jean also shared the current Nebraska “worth”
of construction jobs. Some of the results for skills in demand:
Entry Level skills: Employability/Soft Skills:
Written & oral communications
Basic math
Technology usage – word processing,
spreadsheet, database
Basic foundations of testing & inspection
Hands-on mechanical skills
Team work
Following verbal & written instructions
(specs)
Basic problem-solving skills
Time management
Organizational skills
College Graduate skills:
Blueprint reading
Basic construction methods
Math
Physics
Wage Information
$10-12/hr Average entry-level starting
wage
$12-16/hr Community College education
$24-25/hr Carpentry skills
$43,000 Average starting wage for 4-
year degree in Construction Management
*These wages do not include approximately
$9/hr in benefits
Tools Available
Tony Glenn explained that the tools that will be used or developed will cover:
Contextual academics for use in the industry
Employability skills – Skills USA PDP (5 levels with certification and online
components)
Technical skills – basics of using tools (saw, CNC, etc)
Safety – practice and training – Career Safe (lifelong learning skills) – students receive
an OSHA certification card for 10 hour coursework; online courses available
NCCER Curriculum
Bob Carlson highlighted the National Construction Education & Research from AGC which is 10 years
old and operates a 501c3b foundation. Bob serves on the board which represents various
associations. The foundation resides at the University of Florida, M.E. Rinker School of Building
Construction. Resources NCCER offered are core curriculum (ConTREND learning series) of 50 craft
areas; standardized, competency-based modules, computerized testing, training guides, e-learning
and handouts. The program meets apprenticeship requirements. Instructor certification is also
offered at three levels: instructor, master trainers, and master instructors. There are over 27,000
instructors in the program and over 3 million modules have been completed. Students progress
through different levels based on the number of modules they complete. The program is recognized
by contractors and has portability for its certifications and credentials.
Afternoon Session Overview - Jean Petsch
Jean outlined the 3 target strategies for the groups to work on:
1. Career Awareness
2. Partnership Opportunities
3. Target populations
Strategies and Activities Planning\Session Leaders
The following are outcomes and discussion points that came out of the afternoon session:
North Platte/Cozad Scottsbluff/Gering Sidney/Potter Dix
Awareness:
Budget cuts – schools drop
construction programs
Educate school boards,
administrators, counselors, parents – job availability in trades
Teach contextual academics –
improves numbers of interested
students
Seek grant opportunities
Promote equal opportunities
Awareness:
Elementary/jr high – career fair
Rural area
Specialized studies
Public awareness
Value-added
Guest speakers
Presenters
Counselors
Awareness:
Construction Career Day –
invite Potter-Dix, Leyton,
Sidney Schools
Parent component – Show &
Share - scholarship
opportunities available
Students are required to take
CAD & Drafting as freshmen at
Potter-Dix
Partnerships:
Use community resources and
community colleges to sustain
programs
School-to-Work affiliation –
important for funding
Industry pays for certifications
(PDP, CareerSafe)
Tap into subcontractors & their
respective organizations
Connect w/universities &
community colleges—contact their
dropouts
Connect with specialized training
centers
Partnerships:
NDOR
Area construction companies
ESU
$ from state incentive grant
DOL-NWD
HETA – funds books, tuition,
fees & tools
Community colleges
Business & industry
Scholarships
Job shadows
Partnerships:
Heavy Equipment Academy
Colorado (CCA) Career Day
Eggings
ADC
Prairie Wolf Forge
Street & Water Depts
NDOR
County Road & Bridge
WNCC
ESU
Werner Enterprises
Progress Rail
ConvertABall
Local contractors
21st Century (John Deere)
Commercial Resins (tour?)
Curriculum:
2+2+2 articulation
Industry lobbies for expansion of
T&I certifications
Skills USA – Intracurricular –
encourage schools to add to their
current curriculum
Use apprenticeships, when
applicable
Curriculum:
Schools & colleges – understand
needs
School approved curriculum
Curriculum:
Provide hands-on activities
Demonstrations
Tours
Equipment on site
Wild Card:
Regulatory agencies – building
permits, safety inspectors
Contact lobbyists
NCMS
FutureForce website
Targets:
Women
ESU
2nd career adults
Targets:
Parents
Youth
ACTION ITEM: Jean Petsch will mail the final meeting summary along with other career
awareness materials from AGC to the group in the next couple of weeks.
Local Level Meeting: Jean asked each group to meet again within 30 days to continue
working on their activity:
What is your project?
Who are your partners?
Address High School program changes and modifications
Connect with other school partners – counselors, English faculty, etc.
Next Meeting: August 7, 10:00am-12:30pm at Mid-Plains Community in North Platte
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