[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2037-E2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 1997

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take the opportunity to 
commend a segment of our working population that seldom gets the 
recognition it deserves. The construction industry, one of the largest 
industries in the Nation, provides well paying jobs with valuable 
career opportunities for close to 5 million American workers every 
year. To remain at the present level of activity, the construction 
industry needs an additional quarter of a million workers per year to 
replace an aging and retiring workforce. As it continues to bring 
productive and talented craftsmen and women into its ranks, the 
construction trade deserves our thanks.
  In order to keep pace with the growing construction needs of the 
American public, there

[[Page E2038]]

must be adequate and appropriate training for individuals seeking to 
enter this important industry. Today, there is a program in place to 
meet that need. The National Center for Construction Education and 
Research administers a nationally recognized construction training 
program that allows individuals to advance at their own speed and 
competency to develop solid lifetime career opportunities. The merit 
shop believes work opportunities should be based on merit and 
recognizes the National Center for Construction Education and Research 
training programs as critical for today's workers.
  No two individuals work at the same pace. That's why the merit shop 
is the perfect place to teach and develop careers for the construction 
workers of America. The merit shop, through organizations such as 
Associated Builders and Contractors, is committed to perfecting 
training programs that are both efficient and effective, in order to 
meet the need for a highly skilled construction work force.
  An additional bonus of the merit shop apprenticeship programs is that 
they are excellent places for welfare recipients to gain on the job 
training and work experience through entry level jobs, which are the 
first step to obtaining the skills necessary to secure a career in the 
lucrative and rewarding field of construction. And merit shop 
contractors provide on the job work experience along with classroom 
training at the local level through nationally standardized and 
portable curricula.
  On October 16, 1997, the industry reached out to 175,000 students, 
teachers, counselors, and parents at some 3,500 high schools and 
universities through a nationwide video teleconference sponsored by the 
National Center for Construction Education and Research on 
opportunities for entering the construction industry.
  As the demand for highly trained and experienced construction workers 
increases, merit shops have consistently stepped in to fill that need. 
They will continue to offer Americans the training they need to fulfill 
the needs of the construction industry, and supply the increasing 
demands of economic growth in America. I applaud their efforts, and 
commend them for the excellent services they provide to the American 
people.

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