Students receive accredited craft training and education at no cost to apprentices

Associated Builders and Contractors Institute (ABCI), the state’s largest provider of construction craft training and education, is offering a new program to those who may have been displaced by the current COVID-19 pandemic, providing the opportunity to gain the skills they need to pursue a rewarding, high-paid career in Florida’s burgeoning construction industry. Thousands of students have earned certifications in skilled craft trades including electrical, HVAC, line erector, roofing, fire sprinkler, plumbing and others.

“The goal is to quickly place ABCI students with licensed contractors, giving them the opportunity to learn on the job and to be sponsored as an apprentice, where the employer pays completely for their education,” said Peter Dyga, President and CEO of the ABC Institute Apprenticeship College. “They’re getting paid to learn valuable skills that will help them make the career change needed for a bright future.”

With increasing unemployment rates and uncertainty in the workforce, especially in the hospitality industry, ABC is encouraging those unemployed to consider a construction trade and post-secondary apprenticeship education through the ABC Institute Apprenticeship College (ABCI).

ABCI also offers construction education and classes for many advanced roles including safety, management, project manager, superintendent, and foreman. As a result of COVID, ABCI has accelerated its transition to blended learning with its curriculum now including a four-prong approach of self-study, online instruction with teachers, labs and on the job supervision.

For those not currently employed in the construction industry, the initial obligation to start a construction training program with ABCI is $400 with an annual tuition totaling only $1,200—a fraction of the price of other career colleges. Through ABCI’s affiliation with the largest contractor trade association in South Florida, their goal is to provide job placement support and sponsorship as an apprentice at no future cost to the student.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, average earnings in construction are 298% higher than the leisure and hospitality industry. Even during current COVID-19 crisis, essential construction of roads, bridges, commercial, residential, government, airport and seaport projects has continued, with construction employment dropping only 29,000 compared to a drop of 459,000 in the leisure and hospitality industry.

“We truly believe that now is the ideal time for those struggling with unemployment to consider the construction trade as a new career,” said Dyga. “Not only is the industry stable, but the skills learned at ABCI are transferrable to a multitude of jobs.”

ABCI is approved by the Florida Department of Education, Veteran’s Administration (VA) and is an Equal Opportunity Training Provider. The ABC Institute has campuses conveniently located in Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Doral, Hollywood, Miami and Titusville.

For more information on ABC Institute, please visit https://careercopia.com/wetrain/ or call (954) 953-1382.

About Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter (ABC FEC)

ABC is the largest commercial construction association in Florida. The East Coast Chapter represents general and specialty contractors, as well as associate and supplier members from Key West to Brevard County who share ABC’s belief and advocacy promoting open and competitive markets, continuing education, training and jobsite safety. For more information, call: 954-580-2950 or visit: http://www.abceastflorida.com/ or https://www.wetrain.org/.