A number of statewide groups related to the construction industry have partnered to create the Alabama Construction Workforce Alliance (ACWA) which aims to train employees in the construction industry that is experiencing often a shortage of qualified and certified labor.

The first partners of the alliance are the Alabama Associated General Contractors, the Alabama Roadbuilders Association, the Alabama Workforce Council, the Alabama Construction Research Institute and the University of Auburn.

“ACWA was developed in response to concerns from the Alabama construction industry regarding the severe shortage of skilled labor and the need to improve the current talent pool of the workforce. construction, ”Jorge Rueda, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University, said in a statement.

Rueda added, “ACWA is poised to integrate recruitment, retention and training efforts into a comprehensive strategic plan breaking down traditional silos of workforce development.

ACWA members are committed to partnering with existing workforce development agencies and programs in the state.

“Coming from the highway construction and road construction industry, I am well aware of the incredible need for highly skilled workers in this industry,” said Alabama Workforce Council President Tim McCartney, formerly of McCartney. Construction.

ACWA will receive funds from the Grant of $ 17.8 million Alabama’s workforce development efforts received under a CARES Act program.

“The collaboration that has already been established and the future plans proposed by ACWA are exactly what we need right now. This fits perfectly with Governor Ivey’s goal of achieving 500,000 certified workers in the workforce by 2025 and our overall accreditation pipeline efforts for workforce development. work, ”McCartney advised.

Henry Thornton is a writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @ HenryThornton95.