Building a Skilled Workforce? C3 and UpSkill Houston Are All In

AGC Houston recently had the privilege of hosting the meetings for two outstanding organizations whose sole missions are to grow and sustain a skilled workforce.The Construction Career Collaborative (C3) launched 2019 with a strategic planning session that focused on finding the “tipping point” for commercial construction and its “all in” commitment to a sustainable and skilled industry. A healthy portion of the inaugural 2019 meeting of the Construction Sector of UpSkill...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2G0Sbrc

This is Engineering campaign expanded to challenge perceptions of profession

from The Royal Academy of Engineering News Releases http://bit.ly/2Bbe2s9

Apprenticeship Levy limitations and technical teacher shortages threaten economic growth

from The Royal Academy of Engineering News Releases http://bit.ly/2WuI9Uc

Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part III

DISCIPLINARY POLICYAll companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior, which must be observe to ensure a productive, safe operation. The Marek Companies are no exception. For the welfare of all of us who work together on a day-to-day basis, certain actions are serious enough to warrant disciplinary procedures. Therefore, infractions such as the ones listed below will result in such action, which may be in the form of a verbal warning, written warning, suspension,...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2Wvqvj8

New National Engineering Policy Centre to enhance government access to engineering expertise

from The Royal Academy of Engineering News Releases http://bit.ly/2UubZXp

Associated Builders and Contractors of Houston: On a Mission For Merit Shop, Free Enterprise Principles

Members of the Greater Houston chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) met Friday to learn from a panel of construction leaders how the industry has evolved over the years and discuss free enterprise challenges that lie ahead for the merit-shop construction industry regarding labor unions, regulations, PLAs, workforce shortages, worker misclassification, and immigration policy.Brandon Mabile, Chairman of the board for ABC Houston and business development manager for...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2UmaQRB

Weekly Toolbox Talk: Wear Eye Protection Properly

We have talked about eye protection many times in the past. There is no question how fragile our eyes are and how important it is to protect them. We all know when to wear eye protection on the job, but today we want to talk about other eye injuries that occur and how to prevent them. The majority of eye injuries do not occur because we failed to wear safety glasses. In fact, many eye injuries occur when safety glasses are being used. Today, we want to look at different ways eye injuries occur...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2MmEsvc

Celebrating engineering: Royal Academy of Engineering awards and medals open for nominations

from The Royal Academy of Engineering News Releases http://bit.ly/2MhGXPj

Finding the Rational Middle on DACA

As the new year gets underway, the filmmakers at The Rational Middle are digging into more aspects of immigration policy that have proven politically difficult if not impossible thus far. Case in point: DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program made possible through an executive order signed by then-President Barack Obama back in 2012 following years of inaction by Congress.In the latest edition of their immigration documentary series, this one entitled "...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2DdArpU

Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part II

ACCIDENTSIn the event an employee is involved in an accident or sustains an injury while on the job, they must report it to their supervisor immediately regardless of its severity. First aid supplies are normally maintained at jobsites to take care of certain minor injuries. When medical attention is warranted, the supervisor will assist the employee in getting to proper medical facilities.Where the seriousness of an injury is in question, the supervisor and/or the Company reserve the right to...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2RTbQPm

Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part 1

ATTENDANCERegular and on-time attendance is essential to the efficient operations of the Company, and is an essential function of every employee’s job. Excessive absenteeism and tardiness are not only inconvenient, they are also costly problems. While it is recognized that occasional illness or personal reasons cause unavoidable absence or tardiness from work, regular on-time attendance is required for continued employment.Employees must call their supervisor or the office prior to 6:30 a.m. to...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2ske77Y

Eligible for Employment

The following article was authored by Mark L. Johnson and originally published in AWCI's Construction Dimensions.The construction industry faces labor shortages in most parts of the country. As a result, many wall and ceiling companies are turning away work, not seeing enough qualified job applicants available for hire in order to take on additional projects.    “What we’re getting are people who have been passed around by others, people who have not met the production goals,...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2RdcCqU

Weekly Toolbox Talk: Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms Aerial Lifts

Note to Supervisors: Read and prepare. Your objective is to demonstrate and prepare a scissor lift for the meeting to identify the hazards of an aerial lift. You have to make sure your employees are trained and aware of any hazards before they can use an aerial lift. The use of platforms is strictly prohibited and it would be considered a fall exposure.The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 25 construction workers die each year using aerial lifts. Approximately 70 percent...

from Marek - Strength from Within http://bit.ly/2F10nXn

Academy Fellows recognised in New Year Honours 2019

from The Royal Academy of Engineering News Releases http://bit.ly/2SwMDHL