| Training And Education |
Recruiting, training and retraining workers at all levels is a prime concern of the highway construction industry. Attracting the brightest and best in the workforce is critical. AGC continues to develop the resources required to meet these workforce challenges for its members at all levels of the construction business.
AGC of Iowa Craft Training
AGC/I offers members a state-of-the-art craft training curriculum at numerous locations throughout the state during the off-season. Courses are developed by contractors, for contractors. In addition to a full schedule of these "public" courses, covering virtually every member specialty, customized in-house training services are also offered for any interested contractor on any topic. In-house courses are generally held at your site, using your equipment, exclusively for your employees. Both types of training programs are often eligible for DOT training fund cost reimbursement. For a current course list with descriptions, click here. For a course registration form, click here.
Highway Industry Training Program (HIT)
Associated General Contractors of Iowa would like to introduce a new training program called Highway Industry Training (HIT). This “benchmarked” program is replacing the Manpower Development (MDT) program that was phased out a few years ago. The Highway Industry Training program will allow you to train employees in an approved Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) benchmarked program. This program can be used to meet your IDOT training requirements and also help with company wide training. To print off the HIT Training Registration form, click here.
Listed below is some key information regarding the program: |
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75 different construction job classifications represented |
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Three different on-the-job training hour levels including: 520 hours minimum, 1040 standard and 2080 hours maximum |
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20 hours of required classroom training that will be offered during the winter months, between December and March |
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AGCI will process all registrations, OJT reports, letters and any other information needed to complete the program |
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-Initial enrollment fee of $100 for each trainee participating in the program |
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Contractors will also be charged for the classes trainees must attend to complete the 20 hours of classroom time. IDOT highway training funds can be used for all classes but not for the initial and annual registration fees. |
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Trainees will be paid at least 60 percent of the prevailing wage rate for the first half (520 hours minimum) of the training period, 75 percent for the third quarter (1040 standard hours) of the training period, and 90 percent for the last quarter (2080 hours maximum) of the training period. |
For more information or to receive a detailed information packet and registration form, please contact Becky Bales by phone at 515-283-2424 or email bbales@agcia.org. |
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Management and Technical Seminars, Conferences and Workshops
Programs are conducted throughout the state, many as part of AGC's state and national conventions, on topics such as:
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Financial Aspects of Construction |
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Contractors and Subcontractors Working Together to Create a Trouble-Free Job |
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Customer Relations |
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Contract Clauses and Legal Issues |
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Effective Presentation Skills for Construction Supervisors |
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Project Planning |
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Supervisory Training Program (STP) |
This acclaimed program is offered at several locations throughout the state. The program, which was developed, updated and field-tested by contractors, focuses on the knowledge and skills that every supervisor must have to be an effective manager of people, time, equipment and materials.
Training and Education Aids
AGC offers a comprehensive catalogue of training & education videos, handbooks & manuals. Examples include:
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Partnering and total quality management training handbooks and videos |
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AGC's Construction Planning and Scheduling Manual |
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Market development guides |
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Project management videos and handbooks |
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Equipment management guides |
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Project delivery systems manuals and videos |
To view a listing of our video library, click here or contact Karyn at the AGC office at (515)283-2424.
Workforce Development
Promoting the highway construction industry to young people has always been important, but with the future of the workforce changing, this issue is even more pressing. The AGC of Iowa Workforce Development Committee has created a few ideas to encourage members to promote the industry to young people.
Construct Your Future
The first is the newly updated Construct Your Future magazine that has been restructured and improved by the Workforce Development Committee. AGC of Iowa partnered with the Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration for the printing of the magazine. The updated version has been printed in both English and Spanish to help with the promotion of the construction industry especially with the rapid growth of the Hispanic population. The magazine includes general information on the highway construction industry, to how prepare yourself for a career in construction, scholarship information, job opportunities and a listing of AGC of Iowa contractor members by division. We encourage AGC of Iowa members and any other interested parties to request extra copies of the magazine for distribution at school presentations, career fairs and offices.
Marketing Booklet
A marketing booklet has been created by the Workforce Development Committee listing some ideas contractors can use when working with schools. Some of the things contractors can do to get involved in schools consist of the following; exposure at career fairs, making school presentations, promoting the On-Site and Build Up! kits, awareness of the constructmyfuture.com website, and promoting the Construct Your Future magazine.
To receive a copy of the marketing booklet or extra copies of the Construct Your Future magazine, please contact our Director of Education, Becky Bales.
Student Chapters
The existence of AGC student chapters indicates student interest in the professional construction industry. This exposure of construction students to the working industry is vital to the preparation of future industry practitioners. Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa both have active student chapters. The AGC of Iowa Foundation awards scholarships to Iowa students enrolled in construction courses at institutions of higher education.
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