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Power Your Workforce to Fuel Business Growth
From apprenticeship to specialized, safety, and professional development training, our programs help you build a skilled, capable workforce.

Resources

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Behind the Build Blog

Industry insights, workforce trends, business strategy, and leadership.

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Coastlines to Cranes Podcast

Conversations with builders, leaders, and influencers shaping construction.

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ABC News & Updates

Chapter updates, legislation, milestones, and member highlights.

Frequently Asked Questions

About ABCSD

Click here to sign up for ABCSD’s Weekly Newsletter.

By email: info@abcsd.org
By phone: 858-513-4700
By social media: www.facebook.com/ABCSanDiego
https://twitter.com/abc_sandiego
http://www.instagram.com/ABCSanDiego

Associated Builders and Contractors San Diego has its offices and its Apprenticeship training facility in a single location in the City of Poway at 13825 Kirkham Way, Poway, California, 92064

The Merit Shop Philosophy encourages open competition and a free enterprise approach to business. Merit Shop contractors believe contracts should be awarded solely on merit, without regard to labor union status. Merit Shop contractors are NOT anti-union; they simply believe the most qualified should prevail.

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit abc.org to learn more.

Advocacy

  • Information: Read our member newsletter. ABCSD’s member newsletter keeps you up to date on pending legislation or adverse government actions, and issues “Calls to Action” for you to participate, speak up, and be heard
  • Communication: Let policy makers know how their decisions affect you as a constituent. When ABCSD needs to raise concerns on behalf of our shared interests, take time to send an email, make a call, or even show up at a government board meeting or hearing and represent the Merit Shop point of view
  • Participation: Join our Political Action Committee. ABCSD’s Political Action Committee (PAC) works to stay informed on threats to fair and open competition among all contractors, and acts as your voice to inform and educate decision-makers. Your support whether volunteer or financial can help protect members from damaging Project Labor Agreements and other measures which shut down our ability to win work in the open marketplace.

ABC’s priorities on a local, state, and national level include:

  • Stopping employment discrimination on public projects through Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
  • Protecting ABC’s apprenticeship training opportunities on all projects, and educating the next generation of skilled construction professionals
  • Promoting healthy growth in the construction marketplace
  • Encouraging diversity in the construction industry, including better representation among traditionally under-represented groups including minorities, women, and military veterans
  • Fighting against unnecessary and costly regulations and licensure

No other group represents you as a Merit Shop contractor like ABCSD. Joining with other chapters in California and with our nationwide network and organization, members and staff educate and advocate for fair and open competition in contracting without excessive government mandates or intrusion.

Apprenticeship

Construction remains the second largest employer in the United States, and it is facing a serious shortage of talent. 87% of contractors report having a difficult time filling key professional and skilled craft worker positions. Contractors are eager to hire a skilled, diversified workforce. Why shouldn’t that be YOU?

As an organization devoted to producing a skilled and well-trained construction workforce which can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and technology driven profession, ABCSD encourages more men and women to consider a career in the construction industry. Given the growing shortage of skilled craft professionals, estimated to be 1.6 million people by 2022 nationwide, there will be tremendous future job opportunities for a skilled and trained craft professional.

Yes, apprentices receive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.

The rate of pay for apprentices is determined by the State of California and the U.S. Department of Labor and varies by trade. Wages depend on multiple factors including the location of your jobsite by county, and the bid advertisement date of the project, and your apprenticeship wage period.

Wage information is discussed in more detail during applicant orientation.

Unfortunately, we do not. Classroom instruction and all instructional materials including textbooks, plans, and directions are presented in English. Students must be able to read, write and communicate in the English language.