Southeast Michigan Contractors Issue 4 2024 3 Message from the President ABC Members, Not everyone wins a trophy. That’s the message we send to the young people attending our trade school. At ABC, hard work, talent, grit and hustle wins trophies. SEMCA has stringent attendance requirements because we aren’t just running a school—we are teaching young people how to be employees. If apprentices don’t show up to class, they probably aren’t showing up for work either. We can help employers identify young people who have the hunger and skills to succeed in construction and in life because of our rigorous program and expectations. Universities today are also teaching students how to be employees. Bonus points goes to various aggrieved demographic groups. There’s a complicated unwritten order of preferences for economic opportunities based on gender, race, social classes and an alphabet soup of new labels deserving of special treatment. Traits you are born with and feelings matter more than talent or effort, according to the world view being espoused by higher education today. It’s no wonder that more and more Americans are choosing to skip college. Only a little more than a third of Michigan adults have a college degree. At ABC/SEMCA, we offer a different world view than the colleges and universities. We are building relationships with high schools. We attend career days. We communicate with high school counselors about trade school and careers in construction. We are advertising to young people on social media. We are changing public perceptions. We’ve recruited over 700 students into our program this year. While ABC contractors love the message that we are promoting to young people, you don’t have the time or resources that we do to make a difference on such a large scale. A job this big requires an entire industry voice, not just an individual company. That’s why you are part of ABC. For a few thousand dollars a year, you receive a variety of benefits, not the least of which is us promoting careers in construction and the value of hard work and perseverance that guides every facet of your life. Not everyone wins a trophy. Sincerely, Keith Ledbetter, President/CEO Issue 4 2024 3
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