CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

99

Introduced by Assembly Member Kiley

August 6, 2018

Relative to private employment.

Fiscal committee: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

This measure would proclaim October 2018 as Careers in Construction month to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce. This measure would request the Governor to issue a proclamation calling on the people of this state to observe the month of October 2018 with appropriate programs and educational activities.

WHEREAS, Careers in Construction Month is an annual month designated to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce; and

WHEREAS, During this month, employers, associations, and schools are encouraged to conduct job fairs, panel discussions, and local community events to inform students of the vast employment opportunities in construction; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry is one of our nation’s largest industries, employing more than 5 million individuals in the United States, and construction craft professionals have continued to play a critical role in the development of the State of California; and

WHEREAS, The workforce in California is becoming increasingly diversified and for this state’s construction industry to remain competitive in the global economy, it must also diversify its workforce by attracting significantly more women into the industry; and

WHEREAS, Women currently occupy only 10 percent of all apprenticeships and less than 3 percent of construction trade jobs nationally. As a state, we should support policy efforts to achieve at least 20 percent by 2020; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry in California has tremendous need for skilled and motivated workers, managers, and entrepreneurs from all segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry must strive to educate and inspire parents, educators, and career counselors to encourage California’s youth to enter into rewarding career opportunities in construction; and

WHEREAS, Rising costs of higher education and evolving employer workforce training needs make apprenticeship an increasingly important career pathway without the burden of student loans; and

WHEREAS, Construction industry workforce development process of accreditation, instructor certification, standardized curriculum, registry, assessment, and certification is a key component in the industry’s workforce development efforts, and the organization also drives multiple initiatives to enhance career development and recruitment efforts for the industry, primarily through its Build Your Future campaign, its national image enhancement and recruitment initiative for the construction industry; and

WHEREAS, The collective industry’s mission is to recruit the next generation of craft professionals by making career and technical education a priority in secondary schools, shifting negative public perception about careers in the construction industry, and providing a path from ambition to training and job placement as a craft professional; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims October 2018 as Careers in Construction Month, and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation calling on the people of the great State of California to observe the month of October 2018 with appropriate programs and educational activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.