Building Careers

Building Careers at ABC!

In October, ABC Keystone celebrated Careers in Construction Month, dedicated to the many paths available for pursuing opportunities in our great industry. This celebration of construction careers continues, as every week, apprentices enter the Chapter's training facility to learn from their instructors the many facets of their trades, each of them striving to build their own skills and futures.

The apprenticeship instructors have worked diligently to ensure that these students receive quality and consistent education. The Chapter continues to augment the apprenticeship program to benefit members, including this year's addition of pipefitting. Elements of pipefitting have now been incorporated into the plumbing program for levels 1 and 2, allowing students to choose one or the other by their third year as an apprentice.

This fall, ABC Keystone saw 370+ apprentices register for the 2020/2021 school year in nine trades, including a marked increase in electrical apprentices and additional female apprentices. Many students entered the program unsponsored and are now already working for member companies. The Chapter's pre-apprenticeship programs, including the programs at Elizabethtown High School and School District of Lancaster, are instrumental in this pipeline. Several of Keystone's former pre-apprentices are now continuing their education at ABC.

Throughout this school year, students will benefit from increased technology. Classes have the opportunity to use iPads in their classrooms to gain knowledge of the Procore® Construction Project Management software to enhance their education. Utilizing this software will allow students to gain valuable skills which will be an asset to them and to their companies.

Construction craftspeople are in high demand, and apprentices have multiple, lucrative career paths available to them. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week in November, ABC Keystone wishes to thank the Chapter's apprentices, instructors, Apprenticeship & Craft Training Committee, and sponsoring companies for their part in growing the industry.

Hear from Bill Lastinger, Chair of the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship & Craft Training Committee, about his career path from apprenticeship to leadership on page 14. Pictured here in the early days of his career, Bill gained his training as an ABC apprentice.

Heavy Equipment Operator

PA-Registered Apprenticeship Program Classes are held at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) Brownstown Campus (Snyder & Metzler Roads, Brownstown)

In partnership with:

Four Weeks to a Safer, Well-trained Workforce

• Save time - let us train for you • Develop a safer team - avoid costly fines • Reduce accident rates - save on insurance • Gain well-rounded employees • Benefit from experienced instructors & hands-on training