By Shelia Watson
Contributing Writer

Training in crafts and trades, particularly the construction trades, is as old as recorded history. In fact, history records quite a bit about how skilled workers passed on craft knowledge to others.

In the Middle Ages, apprentices were usually indentured to their masters, receiving food, shelter and clothing for their work. At that time, the stages of apprenticeship—apprentice, journeyman and master—were perfected.

Between 100 B.C. and 300 A.D., because most people had no formal education, the Greeks and Romans used apprenticeship to teach almost everything, from cooking, to philosophy, to carpentry.

Even ancient Babylon knew the importance of training craftworkers. The first organized guild of masons was led by Hammurabi, the Babylonian ruler who formulated the world’s first written legal code. The codes were quite strict: The building code stated that anyone who built a house that fell on its owner would be put to death.

Fortunately, today’s building codes, while more complex, are less strict than Hammurabi’s. Nevertheless, the need for training in crafts and trades is more important than ever.

Beyond OJT

On-the-job training is often a construction worker’s introduction to the trade, but additional or advanced education is soon required in order to keep pace with the needs of the workplace.

The Carolinas Associated General Contractors Association offers a full education and training menu for construction firms of all sizes. CAGC’s programs cover a company’s training needs from entry level through top management.

“What we do is try to address all of the training needs a company might have,” said Butch Cliff, CAGC’s apprentice program director for eastern South Carolina. “For instance, if a contractor needs an OSHA class, we’ll do our best to line up an instructor and find a place to have it. We listen to what the companies need. What we do is very member-driven.”

CAGC’s programs are accredited by the National Center for Education & Research for craftworker training and are offered in North and South Carolina.

“We’re able to coordinate the needs of several companies at the same time,” Cliff said. “If someone wants a particular training, chances are someone else probably wants it too. It’s difficult for one contractor to put on a whole sector of training alone. That’s where we can be helpful.”

The craftworker training programs, which are offered for 20 trades, range from safety classes, to skills assessment, to progressive training that will develop the individual from craftworker to supervisor status, Cliff said.

CAGC also has a workforce development group that provides a curriculum, Project SuperVISION, designed for managers and supervisors. Typical courses include cost control, effective planning, project scheduling and safety performance.

In addition, there are management and safety seminars, leadership development programs and the Contractor Business Academy, which trains on best practices for running a construction company.

The courses may be offered in scheduled classes, on an on-demand basis or through in-house private sessions. CAGC also maintains an audio-visual lending library for its members.

The full program is a “thorough, practical, efficient and cost-effective mechanism to help learn the skills,” Cliff said.

Partnering and recruiting

CAGC has partnerships in the tri-county area with Trident Technical College, Charleston Community in Schools’ adult education program and with three high schools—Dorchester County Career School, Garrett Academy of Technology and Goose Creek High School, Cliff said.

“It’s a big initiative we have with these schools,” he said. “We work with a lot of the trade associations to get these kids into the workplace. Some will be graduating and will want to work full time. The sophomores and juniors might be available for summer and part-time help.”

CAGC recently helped place 35 students in companies throughout Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties. Most of the students will eventually take CAGC courses to continue training in their chosen trades, Cliff said.

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