ASA Coronavirus Resource Guide
ASA has put together the ASA Coronavirus Employer Guide. To access this MEMBERS ONLY document, please visit the Resources section of the InfoHub and choose “Member Benefits/ASAdvantage” from the drop-down menu at the top of the Resources page.
The ASA Recognizes our 2019 Award Winners!
ASA was pleased to recognize the following individuals and chapters for achieving outstanding results on behalf of our association and the construction industry during our annual Awards Banquet at this year’s SUBExcel in Las Vegas, Nevada. On behalf of all our members, congratulations are well deserved for the following:
Brian Carroll, Sanderford & Carroll, PC – ASA President’s Award and Attorneys Council Award: ASA President Anthony Brooks proudly presented the ASA Presidents Award to Brian Carroll for his outstanding service to our association and industry. Brian is always eager to take up the charge on behalf of construction subcontractors whether it be updating Attorneys Council documents, providing much needed insight on pending federal legislation, or offering invaluable expertise in the legal needs of the construction industry. It would also come as no surprise to our members that Brian was also recognized by the Attorneys Council for his outstanding work in 2019!
Chip Mabus, F.L. Crane – Outstanding Service Award and Federal Advocate Award: The ASA honored our friend and colleague, Chip Mabus, for his dedication to the ASA. Chip served on ASA’s National Board and was a 21-year employee of F.L. Crane. We lost Chip last November but his deep commitment to our association and industry will never be forgotten. The ASA presented Chip’s children, Sam, Madeline, and Mallory with the Outstanding Service Award and the Federal Advocate Award to properly show our appreciation for his efforts on our behalf.
Tami Hasselwander, Executive Director of ASA of Oklahoma – Subcontractor State Advocate Award: The ASA recognizes Tami for being a leading voice for subcontracting issues at the state level. Under Tami’s leadership, her chapter successfully passed two pieces of legislation last year on retainage and allowing Oklahoma based contractors to match out of state bids on government projects.
Paul Brennan, NAPCO Precast, LLC – Subcontractor State Advocate Award: Paul Brennan of our ASA of San Antonio Chapter was recognized as a Subcontractor State Advocate for his relentless leadership in pushing our legislative agenda in Texas through the Voter Voice program. Paul was in constant contact with ASA National to request Voter Voice advocacy campaigns be launched and encouraged all Texas-based ASA members to participate.
ASA of Michigan and ASA of Western Pennsylvania – Chapter of the Year (between 50-100 members): ASA of Michigan and ASA of Western Pennsylvania were both so deserving of this award that we couldn’t help but recognize both! ASA of Western PA not only grew their membership during 2019, they celebrated 50 years of providing excellence to the Subcontracting industry during 2019. While managing a fabulous celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary, they were also profitable from the events for 2019. ASA of Michigan achieved profitable growth through 2018 – 2019 thanks to the dedication of its volunteer members. While most Chapters rely heavily on their Executive Directors to carry out daily notices, budgets, event planning, marketing, and overall administrative management of their Chapter, Michigan did all that and so much more through the hard work of their volunteer members.
ASA of Oklahoma – Chapter of the Year (over 100) members: ASA of Oklahoma (ASA-OK) has a thriving Chapter dedicated to growth, not only in their membership numbers, but also in the Construction Community. ASA-OK consistently strives to advance their leadership and name in the industry through a variety of programs. They passed two bills in the 2018-2019 sessions, HB 1114 reducing retainage on public construction if the project is subject to a bond and 50% complete AND HB 1885 requires Government projects to allow Oklahoma based contractors to match out of state low bids if those Oklahoma bids are within 5% of the lowest.
Dan Albrecht, Chapter President of ASA of New Mexico – Chapter President of the Year: Dan took on this role seriously and carried out each duty with professionalism and enthusiasm. During his Presidency, the chapter had a goal of expanding to additional parts of New Mexico. With Dan’s help and leadership, this became a reality for ASA of New Mexico. In the Spring of 2019, ASA of New Mexico founded the Las Cruces branch, thus widening the reach ASA has to Southern parts of New Mexico and into Texas. Dan has been involved with ASA of New Mexico for over 9 years and as the current Past President, he remains heavily active in their BPI, Legislative committee, Nominating committee, and membership recruitment growth across the state.
Gia Espinoza, Executive Director of ASA of New Mexico – Executive Director of the Year: It was a great year for ASA of New Mexico and Executive Director Gia Espinoza is a major reason why! Day in and day out Gia helps guide and lead the ASA of New Mexico Chapter, and has been doing so for the past 8 years. Having previously worked in the subcontracting world, she knows the importance and value our association brings to its members. Gia truly knows how to run a tight ship, keep on budget, create successful events and training, keep her Board and Committees focused and engaged, help promote & market the Construction Industry, and most of all, keep her Chapter the place the New Mexico Subcontractors want to be.
Warren Quinn, Executive Director of ASA of Baltimore – New Executive Director of the Year: Warren Quinn keeps the trains running on time and has brought new energy to the ASA of Baltimore. When Warren joined ASA of Baltimore in September of 2018, the Board knew he came with skills and a background in association management needed for their chapter. What they didn’t realize was how his exemplary leadership, professionalism, creativity, and experience would be exactly what they needed (and hoped for) in the Baltimore Chapter. Warren met and exceeded all the goals laid before him for the 2018-2019 year, and he continues to strive for further excellence in growing their chapter. ASA of Baltimore considers themselves lucky to have Warren on their team.
ASA Houston Chapter – Innovation Award: The ASA is pleased to award ASA Houston Chapter with the Innovation Award for two tremendous initiatives. ASA Houston was determined to try something new to spur member excitement to raise funds for their Government Advocacy PAC. The “No Pants Party” idea was an out of the box, state of the art program that allowed members to donate from home. Through sponsorships and social media marketing, ASA Houston raised over $40,000 for their PAC! The chapter also started the first women’s peer group for Houston area construction associations entitled “She Builds It,” where women from the industry come together to ask questions, get real answers, network comfortably, and form stronger relationships.
Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) Final Rule
On March 10, 2020, the Department of Labor issued their final rule on Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program effective on May 11th. The rule permanently excludes the construction industry from the IRAP. Below is the rule’s press release:
March 10, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program Final Rule
WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Labor today published a final rule that will help expand apprenticeships in the United States by establishing a system for advancing the development of high-quality, Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).
IRAPs are high-quality apprenticeship programs, recognized as such by a third-party entity under standards established by the department in the new rule. Through these programs, individuals will be able to obtain workplace-relevant training and progressively advancing skills that result in an industry-recognized credential, all while getting paid for their work. An IRAP is developed or operated by entities such as trade and industry groups, corporations, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, unions, and joint labor-management organizations.
“Apprenticeships are widely recognized to be a highly effective job-training approach for American workers and for employers seeking the skilled workforce needed in today’s changing workplace,” Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia said. “This new rule offers employers, community colleges, and others a flexible, innovative way to quickly expand apprenticeship in telecommunications, health care, cybersecurity, and other sectors where apprenticeships currently are not widely available.”
Third-party entities interested in evaluating and recognizing high-quality IRAPs consistent with the department’s standards should follow the process outlined in the final rule to become Standards Recognition Entities (SREs).
As described in the final rule, many different types of entities may become recognized SREs, including trade groups, companies, educational institutions, state and local governments, non-profits, unions, joint labor-management organizations, and certification and accreditation bodies for a profession or industry. The rule also outlines the responsibilities and requirements for SREs, as well as the department’s standards that programs must meet to obtain and maintain IRAP status and sets forth how the administrator will oversee SREs.
Once recognized by the department, SREs will work with employers and other entities to establish, recognize, and monitor high-quality IRAPs that provide apprentices with industry-recognized credentials.
IRAPs will serve as a complement to the successful registered apprenticeship program that has been in place for over 80 years. The industry-led, market-driven SRE approach outlined in the final rule will give employers and other stakeholders additional flexibility necessary to expand the apprenticeship model into new industries and to address the diverse workforce needs of different industries and occupations. The rule prohibits SREs from recognizing IRAPs in the construction sector, which has the greatest existing utilization of registered apprenticeship programs.
Student Apprenticeship Act
On February 25, 2020, Reps. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Khanna (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Student Apprenticeship Act, a bill that would close the gap between higher education and labor by modernizing workforce training and catalyzing the growth of registered apprenticeships nationwide. This bill is a companion to Sen. Bennet’s (D-CO) Student Apprenticeship Act.
Specifically, the Student Apprenticeship Act would promote collaboration across the board between higher education institutions, employers and labor by creating a grant program that aligns institutions of higher education, employers, and workforce intermediaries to create apprenticeship opportunities for students. As a student and an apprentice, participants would work to earn college credit and an industry credential while their employers pay them. Meanwhile, employers would pay at least 25 percent of the student’s college tuition and fees, and student-apprentices would earn credits for their work that count towards their degree and their industry credential.
The bill would also create competitive grants to drive apprenticeships through supporting the expansion of registered apprenticeships by providing institutions of higher education, employers, and workforce intermediaries with funds to offset the costs associated with developing and implementing student-apprenticeships. This would include developing curricula and standards, supporting on-the-job learning, mentoring, and additional supervision; purchasing updated equipment; and supporting services such as tutoring, transportation, child care, and housing subsidies.
Finally, the bill would update the federal work-study program to allow apprenticeship programs to qualify as work-study programs, so eligible students who demonstrate financial need earn additional funds to pay their tuition through work that aligns with their coursework and their intended career path.
