Underground Construction - February 2022 - 25

agreement can be met only if there is an
adequate pool of experienced, qualified
workers. Right now, there is not. That is
why there are PCCA-led industry efforts
to defeat the so-called " Build Back Better "
legislation. The bill, as well as continuing
efforts to inject Big Union priorities like
project labor agreements and new liability
for employers found to have committed
unfair labor practices, have little to do with
building and would only set America back
by picking favorites when it comes to the
workforce needed to meet this unprecedented
construction challenge.
PCCA also continues to work hard to
keep the workers its members do have on
the job during COVID-19. In 2020, the association
fought to have those who work on
broadband and power systems included on
any list of " essential " workers maintained
by any federal/state entity. Last year, PCCA
fought to keep workers on the job by opposing
proposed vaccine mandates from the
Biden administration, which would lead to
unnecessary job cuts and/or resignations
at a time when construction workers are
needed most. PCCA remains vigilant.
Training efforts
The hard-working employees of PCCA members
are well-trained, highly compensated
and have rewarding careers with tremendous
opportunities for advancement. We
just need more of them. To this end, PCCA
and its members help community colleges
and technical schools develop and maintain
utility construction programs. PCCA
members donate time, knowledge, tools
& equipment, and a whole lot of money to
these schools, and the schools are already
supplying qualified, ready-to-work employees.
Schools in the program are State
Technical College of Missouri, Terra State
Community College (Ohio), Northwood
Technical College (Wisc.), Monroe County
Community College (Mich.), and Somerset
Community College (Ky.).
These schools also work with PCCA and
the Wireless Infrastructure Association to
provide in-person and online training as
part of the Telecommunication Industry
Registered Apprenticeship Program
(TIRAP). The partnership is supported
by a U.S. Department of Labor grant
designed to support large-scale expansions
of apprenticeship. Several PCCA members
have employees in the program, and
PCCA Past Chairman Greg Johnson and his son Tate Johnson accepting Hall of Fame Induction
for Greg's father, Ernie.
hundreds more have been committed. A
session at the upcoming PCCA convention
will show contractors how to create
and maintain effective apprenticeship
programs in their companies.
PCCA supports students at these and
other schools with its scholarship program.
Last year, the PCCA Education & Research
Foundation awarded its 2021-2022 scholarships
to Moses Chapman, Lakewood,
Wash.; Laith Emad Jhoda Almhimedawy,
Aurora,
Ill.; Mason Tribble,
Carrollton,
Ga.; Zachary Wells, Avon, Ohio; and Bruce
Halfmann, Covina, Calif. Four of the scholarships
provide $2,500 per year for children
and other dependents of PCCA members
and their employees. The students selected
can receive up to $10,000 (for those attending
a four-year school) or $5,000 (for
those attending a two-year program). PCCA
also offers annual $1,000 scholarships at
each of the schools in its workforce development
program.
In early March, PCCA held its 76th
Annual Convention at the Naples Grande
Beach Resort in Naples, Fla. With some
340 attendees, the convention featured
the aforementioned Excavation Safety
Summit, the always-informative PCCA
Industry Roundtable, fascinating speakers,
the Annual Associates Exhibit, PCCA Prayer
Breakfast, and an array of tours, parties,
golf and other networking events. During
the
convention,
PCCA
announced
its
2021-22 scholarship recipients, honored
outgoing chairman, John Fluharty of Mears
Group, and welcomed its new chairman,
Bob Breeden of ElectriCom.
In July, PCCA held its Mid-Year Meeting
in New England for the first time in more
Hall of Fame inductee Ken Trawick.
than 20 years. As they did in 2000, members
turned out in record numbers at the
Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine, for an
informative, productive, and tremendously
fun event. At the 2021 Mid-Year, PCCA
members honored new Hall of Fame inductees
Ernie Johnson, Okay Construction, and
Ken Trawick, Trawick Construction/Quanta
Services, and enjoyed intriguing educational
sessions, a tropical storm-defying golf
tournament, and some great tours around
picturesque coastal Maine.
PCCA's 2022 Convention is March 4-9
at the Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale,
Ariz., and the Mid-Year Meeting is Sept. 1417
at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa,
Calif. Learn more at www.pccaweb.org or
by following PCCA on LinkedIn, Facebook
(@powerandcommunicationscontractors
association), Twitter (@PCCA_tweets), and
Instagram (@powerandcommunication). *
UCONonline.com | FEBRUARY 2022
25
http://www.pccaweb.org http://www.UCONonline.com
Underground Construction - February 2022

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