Construction Employers of America Launches, Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

November 2 2015

In conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, TAUC and four other premier national construction specialty contracting associations launched the Construction Employers of America (CEA), a joint initiative to coordinate action on construction, workforce, and labor issues facing their industries.

CEA will work to strengthen the construction industry and provide opportunities for top-quality construction workers to learn and maintain the skills they need to deliver highly productive, quality workmanship that provides the best value to project owners while earning high-value compensation and benefits for themselves, their families, and their communities.

“Construction contractors supporting the Construction Employers of America are leading the way, making major investments in America’s world-class workforce through top-quality training and apprenticeship programs,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01). “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I want to commend CEA members for supporting well-trained, highlyskilled, and well-paid construction workers who meet the quality standards their customers demand and deserve.”

The charter members of the Construction Employers of America include:

• The Association of Union Constructors
• International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
• Mechanical Contractors Association of America
• National Electrical Contractors Association
• Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association

CEA firms and workers are best qualified to handle high-skilled projects in a cost-effective manner and are the predominant force in the high end sector of the construction industry. Signatory contractors and the Building Trades invest over $1 billion annually in apprentice and journey-level training, and invest an additional $10 billion in apprentice wages and benefits. The Buildings Trades’ affiliate unions and their signatory contractors have more than 1,600 training centers in the United States. At a time when many have been foregoing an investment in skilled labor, labor-management apprenticeship programs serve as a global model for providing state-ofthe- art training and the most productive workers.

CEA seeks action on bread-and-butter issues affecting their contractor members–the majority of which are small, family-owned businesses–and their skilled labor force. Among the issues CEA will work with policymakers to address are issues affecting the construction industry and developing a world-class workforce that strengthens the middle class.

Information about the CEA can be found online at www.constructionemployersofamerica.com.