In the past, problems
of providing a skilled workforce have fallen to one institution or another.
Quarrels about turf and a lack of clear objectives have prevented the
various interest groups from getting together and coordinating their
efforts.
The creation of
MCTA seems to have bridged some of those differences and created a forum
where genuine systemic changes might take place. MCTA brings together
diverse groups into a strong coalition with the promise of accomplishing
what has never been previously accomplished.
Activity
One
MCTA will
seek to implement a standardized national curriculum in all construction
and industrial maintenance programs in the state: programs that will
properly prepare students for the workplace and provide them with portable
credentials. We believe that by providing a quality training experience
(utilizing the Instructor Certification Training Program (ICTP) class
for teachers), instructors will be better prepared to teach our students
using the highest standards.
We will aggressively
seek out training opportunities at secondary and postsecondary school
levels and opportunities in private industry to promote teacher and
student quality. We will provide a first rate learning experience for
the ICTP at a reasonable cost. It is our expectation that MCTA will
provide complete and efficient ICTP certification to anyone seeking
it. We will work diligently to properly certify all maintenance and
construction instructors at all three educational levels in the National
Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) program within
a five-year time frame. There are several hundred instructors who could
benefit from this training.
This certification
process will begin to support the work of improving the image of the
industry and recruiting students into training programs statewide.
Activity
Two
MCTA provides an
intensive program of registering students who have successfully completed
elements of the NCCER program to receive nationally recognized portable
credentials. MCTA is an NCCER sponsor that is timely, accurate, and
inexpensive when providing instructor training and registration of students.
Approximately 2,000
students a year will need to have the “Form 200” filed with
NCCER. This number should grow as the program becomes more widespread
and as more schools and industries see the benefits of NCCER registration.
Activity
Three
MCTA networks with
public schools, technical colleges, and industry training programs to
coordinate plans to improve the image of skilled careers. MCTA will
meet with school boards, school administrators, guidance counselors,
parent groups, and teacher groups to provide accurate career facts concerning
this career pathway. MCTA will seek to put together those groups that
will benefit from a highly-trained and skilled workforce in maintenance
and construction, to build a synergy to initiate systemic change in
South Carolina. Marketing strategies are being developed to promote
this initiative.
Activity
Four
MCTA will coordinate
programs and projects to recruit students into training programs at
all levels. Activities will include summer construction camps, recruiting
kits to be used in schools, participation in career fairs, and a Web
site to provide information to interested students, parents, and educators.
Activity
Five
MCTA is the third-party
administrator for companies who choose to participate in registered
apprenticeships with the US Department of Labor, ATELS. Apprenticeship
standards have been approved from ATELS.
The Challenge
Whether
you are a home builder, a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a
manufacturer with industrial maintenance requirements, you have been
faced with an increasing problem of finding employees who can perform
technical jobs efficiently. Recruiting, training, and retaining qualified
people consumes too much of your time. The resources of your business
are strained because of the shortage of reliable skilled workers.
Statement
of Problem/Need
While only
32% of ninth graders pursue a two-year degree or certification…65%
of jobs will require one.
At least
40% of ninth graders will pursue an unskilled job because they either
drop out of high school or lack the skills needed…but only 15%
of the jobs available are considered unskilled jobs.
Simply
put…we are not giving students the training they need, which means
we are not building the work force needed for a strong economy. The
construction industry is the engine that drives our economy.
MCTA needs
every business in this state to step forward and do its part to reverse
this dangerous trend. Dues-paying participants in MCTA will be supporting
the state's first broad-based effort to bring all the players to the
table to solve these problems.
About us
