abc News Release

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 18, 2015

NC House and Senate Approve Budget Preserving State Apprenticeship Program

Contact: Benton Albritton (919) 267-6428

Raleigh, N.C. - The Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABC) were pleased to see funding for the State Apprenticeship Program preserved in the long-debated 2015-2017 North Carolina State Budget, which was passed by the House and Senate this week. It will now head to Governor Pat McCrory's desk for signature.

The program, run by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, provides valuable services to ABC member companies that utilize the program to recruit and maintain a skilled workforce made up of individuals that call our state home. "Each person that enters the construction industry through this program is on the path to earning a competitive salary, learning a new skill and building America" said Doug Carlson, ABC of the Carolinas' President and CEO. "This program provides oversight for structured, skilled training that is specific in both content and time and is a contributing factor to our state having the lowest percentage of unionized labor in the country."

The final language in the budget preserves current funding levels for one year and will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of that time. ABC feels confident that our elected officials will see the value in this critical program and support its funding for many years to come.

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Editors Note: Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas represent the merit construction contractors and related firms in the Carolinas as a chapter of ABC, a national association representing more than 26,000 members. For more news and information visit www.abccarolinas.org.

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