Preparing Your Construction Industry Calendar for 2020
As we hang up the new calendars and enter a new year, construction companies, schools and associations are creating plans for 2020.
While preparing for the year ahead, it’s helpful to know about some of the special events and recurring weekly or monthly campaigns that the industry participates in.
Here are some of the important happenings to know about when planning your 2020.
February – CTE Month®
Each February is CTE Month, a public awareness campaign that supports career and technical education and CTE programs across the United States.
Originally created by the Association for Career and Technical Education, CTE Month is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate career-focused education. As construction is one of the great career paths available through CTE, February is an exciting month for the industry.
CTE Month is a perfect time for programs and companies alike to promote the importance of craft education. Teachers and students can showcase the success and aspirations of their training programs, and it’s an opportunity for industry leaders to build connections and partnerships with schools and educators. It’s also a good time to engage with groups like policymakers, parents and the media to grow awareness and support for CTE. For example, Advance CTE launched their Double the Investment Campaign in February 2019.
Don’t forget to get social! Share photos, stories, statistics and other information in support of career and technical education by using the hashtag #CTEMonth on social media.
March 1-7 – Women in Construction Week
The first week of March, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) hosts Women in Construction Week to highlight the importance of women in the industry and raise awareness of the opportunities for women to work in construction.
Although construction has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, women are becoming an increasingly larger and more important group among craft professionals as the industry works to slash the skills gap and labor shortage.
NAWIC chapters across the country will be holding WIC Week events and will be getting involved in their communities. Other organizations are also encouraged to participate and support women in construction. Get involved on social media with #WICWeek2020.
May 4-8 – Construction Safety Week
Safety is a major point of emphasis on construction sites, and the annual Construction Safety Week each May is a chance to focus on proper procedures, practices and training to help ensure every craft professional returns home safely each day.
Safety Week gives construction companies a chance to build a strong safety culture among their workforce. Teaching employees about the importance and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), how to identify and avoid risks, and other safety topics can be a big step toward creating a zero-incident workplace.
This week is also a time to showcase the strides the industry has made in becoming safer to a broader audience. Many inaccurate stereotypes about the dangers of construction work exist, leading fewer people to pursue careers in the field. Construction Safety Week is an opportunity to showcase the innovations and improvements, such as new technologies, that are making construction safer than ever.
Use #ConstructionSafetyWeek on social media to join the conversation.
October – Careers in Construction Month
With a projected 1 million craft professionals needed by 2023, the construction industry is facing both a shortage of skills and personnel. NCCER and its outreach initiative Build Your Future (BYF) created Careers in Construction Month to raise awareness about the lucrative career opportunities in construction and to recruit the next generation of craftspeople.
Contractors, schools, associations and other construction organizations can plan career days, field trips, speaking sessions, and other events and activities to showcase construction as a viable career path and an industry of choice. The industry can also get involved online by sharing myth-busting blogs and articles, professional success stories, eye-opening statistics and other content and by using the hashtag #CICM.
Coinciding with Careers in Construction Month is NCCER and BYF’s annual I BUILT THIS! video contest. Students and instructors in secondary and postsecondary craft programs can submit videos of their building projects for a chance to take home some incredible prizes.
As part of the movement, U.S. states and territories are asked to officially proclaim October as Careers in Construction Month. In 2019, 39 states and territories made official proclamations, and requests were filed in an additional 7 states. Click here to learn how to file a proclamation request in your state.
November – National Apprenticeship Week
Apprenticeship is an important part of training and developing craft professionals, and National Apprenticeship Week in November is a great time to get the word out about your program or otherwise support the practice.
Apprenticeships give students an opportunity to earn as they learn, combining classroom studies with time spent in the field and getting paid. While tuition costs and student debt continue to rise, apprenticeship offers another option to young people seeking an education that leads to a career.
National Apprenticeship Week was created by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Office of Apprenticeship offers resources to career seekers, educators and employers. Details of National Apprenticeship Week 2020 have yet to be announced, but keep an eye out for more information about the week-long celebration.
Special themed weeks and months along with other events give the construction industry a chance to raise awareness and promote some of the most important aspects of the industry. How will you participate in 2020?