April 2007 - Associated General Contractors of California

idge for the small, medium and evensome large contractor fleets, to get themfrom non-compliance to compliancewithout the terrible expense that couldcost them their business. Rather thantreating the symptoms, we’re addressingthe core problem."This isn’t going to happen bycontractors replacing engines, one at atime," Bohlke adds. "For the average contractor,with maybe 30 or 40 vehicles, it’sjust not practical. We have to accomplishthis in a way that’s fast, and helps theeconomy at the same time."Of the partnership with Recat, Bohlkesays, "It’s one of the most rewardingrelationships because we share the samephilosophy. We synergize our efforts.Recat is all about ‘win-win.’ We couldn’thave made a better connection with acompany that can pave the way for successin California."For further information, contact:Tom Yeager and Michael Avery at Recat at(951) 657-3228 or email attomyeager@recat.com ormavery@recat.com; Ray Kapahi atAir Permitting Specialists at(916) 687-8352 or email atray.kapahi@gmail.com; or Troy Bohlke atEmissions Technologies, Inc. at(602) 288-0111 or email attroy@emissiontech.comPilot Building Industry Technology Academy OffersAlternatives for Students in Orange CountyBy Adrienne MonroeThe Building Industry TechnologyAcademy (BITA) is a pilot program thatprovides students with practical skillswhile bringing relevance to high schoolacademic studies and exposes students todiverse careers that are available in theconstruction industry.The BITA curriculum is beingdeveloped by Building IndustryAssociation/ Orange County (BIA/OC)members including home builders, tradecontractors, manufacturers, andprofessional services with the assistance andsupport of Orange County educationalleaders. Its integrated curriculumincorporates basic academic skills such asreading, math, science and history. Studentsare also gaining valuable skills in estimating,blue print reading, site preparation,framing (wood and steel), electrical,plumbing, HVAC, painting,finish carpentry, and roofing. The forwardthinking curriculum also incorporates thenew state required California CareerTechnical Education Standards.The Orange County constructionworkforce will increase by 63,800 jobs(30.9%) between 2002 and 2012, asreported by the California EmploymentDevelopment Department. The USBureau of Labor Statistics projects thebuilding industry will need 250,000 newcraft professionals annually over the nextdecade to replace a retiring workforce.They project the shortage of skilled tradeworkers will worsen nationally with anestimated 2.3 million unfilled jobs by2010.THE VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYInstructor John Puckett, Katella High School (left), with Adrienne Monroe and Lawrence Jones of theBuilding Industry Association/Orange County and Katella students of the BITA program explore aplayhouse designed and constructed by the students.In the summer of 2003, more than 50trades came together and completed a$250,000 remodel of the facility at KatellaHigh School in the Anaheim, home to thefirst all-girls team to take the title ofDesign-Build Competition champions.The enhancement at Katella converted anunderutilized facility into a premiereconstruction program that offers studentsin-depth construction knowledge andskills training. By 2006, BIA/OC’s membershipalong with education communityleaders developed a second site at WesternHigh School, at twice the cost. In 2007 theBITA curriculum expanded to a third siteat Valencia High School in Placentia. SinceBITA began, the program has experiencedtremendous success and reachedmaximum capacity at all three locations.A partnership with the local communitycolleges and apprenticeship programsprovides students with a continuation oflearning about the construction industryand the many different career directionsthey can explore. Educational supportersinclude the Orange County Department ofEducation, North Orange County ROP,Anaheim Union High School District,Fullerton Community College, andOrange Coast Community College.The BITA program, which offersliterature about the program in Englishand Spanish, has touched more than 2,000young people that have taken someportion of the four year program. Formore information, contact LawrenceJones, BIA/OC, at (949) 553-9500 x125 ore-mail ljoes@biaoc.com or AdrienneMonroe at monroea@agc-ca.org.Adrienne Monroe is Executive Director of theCalifornia Construction Education &Research Foundation.Associated General Contractors of California 17