Mission

Education committee members are charged with the responsibility of enhancing  the educational resources, programs and materials available for NIBCA members, employees, potential employees and industry-related entities.  They are further tasked with expanding and improving the incoming workforce for the next decade.

Members are expected to work toward educational programs and resources in collaborative efforts with universities, colleges, junior colleges, public and private high schools, junior high schools, charter schools, community groups, apprenticeship programs, the National AGC, AGC chapters, political entities and all others with which liaisons could be mutually profitable.

Specific programs in pursuit of the mission shall be the responsibility of the committee but should include scholarships, internships, development of resource materials, outreach to local junior high and high schools, development of public relations materials highlighting the program and periodic reporting to NIBCA members and the board.

Committee Members:

Chad Oates, Koja Construction Company

Jared Shellhause, Cord Construction Company

Grant Sjostrom, Sjostrom & Sons, Inc.

Earl Wilsey, Schmeling Construction Co.

Careers in Construction

What makes the construction industry different from other industries?

Jobs can’t be exported. It’s hard to imagine a day where the building needed in Illinois will be built in China and shipped overseas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry has been identified as the only goods-producing sector which employment is expected to grow.

Careers

If you find yourself fascinated with the construction of bridges, skyscrapers, schools and roads, construction might be a career choice for you.

There are many career opportunities in the construction industry. These jobs can be broken down into two categories. The first category focuses on the management and professional level. These positions include managers, superintendents and construction estimators to name a few.

Click here for Management and Professional level careers.

Click here for a list of Midwest Universities and Colleges that have construction related programs.

The second category is the construction trades. These jobs include carpenters, masons, plumbers and electricians. Employees in these jobs are highly skilled in their trades and gain their education through registered apprenticeships, technical school/college programs or AAS degrees at community colleges.

Click here for more information on careers in the Construction Trades.

Click here for a list of local Apprenticeship Programs.

 

NIBCA Undergraduate Scholarship

The NIBCA Education Committee has been authorized by the Association Board of Directors to offer one $5,000 scholarship to a college sophomore, junior, or senior who is from NIBCA’s nine country area, pursuing a degree in a construction related field and are planning to begin a career in the Greater Rockford area.

Applications are not being accepted at this time.  Rules and Application are below.

Rules for Scholarship                                        Application for Scholarship

NIBCA is committed to enabling our members to engage in the lifelong education and necessary training to meet the changing demands of the construction workplace.

For upcoming NIBCA education and safety events go to our calendar.