Washington, DC; November 2, 2015 – Today, in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, the five premier national construction specialty contracting associations launched the “Construction Employers of America”, a joint initiative to coordinate action on construction, workforce, and labor issues facing their industries. CEA will work to strengthen the construction industry and provide opportunities for top-quality construction workers to learn and maintain the skills they need to deliver highly productive, quality workmanship that provides the best value to project owners while earning high-value compensation and benefits for themselves, their families, and their communities.

“Construction contractors supporting the Construction Employers of America are leading the way, making major investments in America’s world-class workforce through top-quality training and apprenticeship programs,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01). “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I want to commend CEA members for supporting well-trained, highly skilled, and well-paid construction workers who meet the quality standards their customers demand and deserve.”

The charter members of the Construction Employers of America include the International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, and The Association of Union Constructors. CEA firms and workers are best qualified to handle high-skilled projects in a cost-effective manner and are the predominant force in the high end sector of the construction industry.

Signatory contractors and the Building Trades invest over $1 billion annually in apprentice and journey-level training, and invest an additional $10 billion in apprentice wages and benefits. The Buildings Trades’ affiliate unions and their signatory contractors have more than 1,600 training centers in the United States. At a time when many have been foregoing an investment in skilled labor, labor-management apprenticeship programs serve as a global model for providing state-ofthe-art training and the most productive workers.

CEA seeks action on bread-and-butter issues affecting their contractor members—the majority of which are small, family-owned businesses—and their skilled labor force. Among the issues CEA will work with policymakers to address are issues affecting the construction industry and developing a world-class workforce that strengthens the middle class.

Information about the CEA can be found online at www.constructionemployersofamerica.com.