FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2005

CONTACT: Megan Reiter (703) 683-9312; mreiter@acteonline.org

ALEXANDRIA, VA- The U.S. construction industry is the world’s largest industry, according to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Employing some 6.9 million people, the construction industry offers career opportunities ranging from carpenters, electronic systems technicians, building inspectors to project managers.

Retiring baby boomers, coupled with the current growth in the building industry have placed skilled construction workers in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts by 2012 one million skilled workers will be needed to fill construction jobs.

“It is absolutely imperative that we address the skills shortage by reaching out to today's youth," says NCCER President Don Whyte. "National Careers in Construction week is one initiative the industry is taking to promote a positive image of construction to young people and encourage them to consider a construction career."

Career and technical education (CTE) programs are working to address this need in classrooms across the country. These classes provide students of all ages with the academic and technical skills necessary to succeed, and provide business and industries with a highly competitive and skilled workforce.

Janet Bray, Executive Director of the Association for Career and Technical Education stated, “Career and technical education provides students with a foundation of competencies that allow them the opportunity to pursue postsecondary education or move directly into careers.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, many persons enter the construction trade through apprenticeship programs. These programs offer supervised on-the-job training and formal classroom instruction. The U.S. Department of Labor also found that those who enter the field with vocational or technical school background tend to progress at a somewhat faster pace, than those with only apprenticeship training.

"The continued industry support of NCCER's solid fundamental training provides career and technical education students with both a traditional and technical skill set needed to stay competitive now and into the future," says Whyte.

Advancements in technology within the industry have opened new doors for a more diverse workforce. Building inspectors use laptop computers to monitor the status of construction inspection activities and keep track of issued permits. Construction workers operate high-tech machinery. Engineers lay out job sites, streets and entire cities using satellite coordinates.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 79th year, ACTE’s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

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August 8, 2005                         NR# 05-014