Workforce Development Committee

Workforce Development Advisory Committee

Since the introduction of pavers across North America, much has advanced in hardscape career development. Paver installation is now widely recognized as a skilled trade involving specialized knowledge and craftwork.

As the paver industry's technical and education authority, ICPI is the natural home for skill development in paver installation. As such, ICPI is also particularly well-suited to promote hardscape careers and provide essential training needed to equip new employees with entry-level skills.

ICPI's Workforce Development Advisory Committee, with a cooperative NCMA partnership and professional staff, has developed a comprehensive career resource program to attract interest in hardscape careers. The program involves social media campaigns, webbased guides, career-fair events, and industryfocused career partnerships.

Together, these resources promise to significantly reduce the gap between employer human resource needs and hardscape industry awareness for young career-seekers.

At the 2021 Annual Meeting session:

• The Workforce Development Advisory

Committee supported expanding the

HardscapingIs campaign through additional funding for a new student video competition, new video content, and increase social media ad buys.

• The Committee also expressed its support for the new Cue Career Sales Bootcamp, a pilot program on the West Coast to teach sales skills and provide internships to college students. Should the program be a success,

Cue Career will expand it nationwide.

• The Committee is reviewing a new manufacturing career path to expand workforce development offerings to that part of the market. Watch for more information at www.hardscapingis.com.

The Construction Committee is at the forefront of evaluating new materials, means, and methods that enable segmental pavement projects to move forward in the field successfully and efficiently.