ABC SEMI Issue 4

2 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. PRESIDENT ' S LETTER President’s Letter Valued ABC Member, The pillars of every successful construction company start with a highly qualified and trained workforce. ABC has spent over 30 years helping companies train their employees to ensure quality workmanship on projects. This fall, the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA) had the largest enrollment ever in our trade school’s history—350 students. We are working towards a goal of 400 students by January. Just as importantly as technical skills training, we want our people to go home to their loved ones at night after a safe, productive day on the job. Our workers are often like our extended family. It’s the responsibility of leaders and business owners to protect their people and ensure that they have the proper safety training and that they work in secure environments. This edition of Southeast Michigan Contractors is dedicated to construction work site safety. Many of you don’t know, but ABC has an extensive safety program known as STEP. It’s a free self-evaluation tool for contractors to use to evaluate your own company’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Once you’re able to identify these key areas of weakness, you can begin the process of addressing them. You can read more about it within the pages of this magazine. ABC also offers First Aid, CPR, OSHA 10 and other training available for your employees. With the booming construction economy in Southeast Michigan, many contractors are taking on more work than they can handle. They’re barely keeping their heads above water. But, if you want your company to maintain these revenue levels as your future baseline as opposed to the high water mark, your business practices must be predicated on sustainability—the notion that the company is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future. Safety is a key component of creating sustainability in your business. Contact us and see how we can help. Sincerely, Keith Ledbetter President and CEO Associated Builders and Contractors — Southeastern Michigan Chapter KEITH LEDBETTER ABC SEMI President