Community Builders is here to create a talent pipeline a more diverse & inclusive construction industry career opportunities a model that is replicable

What is Community Builders?

In 2017, Associated Builders & Contractors-Illinois Chapter was awarded a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to leverage our apprenticeship training program and nationally recognized construction credentials to help create career pathways for individuals with barriers to employment. Our grant-funded training program gives individuals the opportunity to learn an in-demand construction craft and follows through with career placements. Participants can enter our program with no experience in the industry and leave with a career pathway in construction making better than average wages along with opportunities for upward mobility. In an effort to reduce the strain on struggling communities and simultaneously create a talent pipeline for the waning construction workforce, this training is a crucial part of rehabilitating broken communities and is a model that can be recreated in any city. As an association that is made up of employers, we have the unique opportunity to not only train individuals by providing a positive pathway for their future but also connect them with the employers who have careers available—creating a full-circle solution that strengthens our workforce, supports our industry, and empowers individuals to build meaningful, long-term careers. Upon completion, participants have opportunities to continue their education in a US DOL registered apprenticeships either through ABC Illinois or the company who hires them if they have their own US DOL apprenticeship program.
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For more information, please contact Susette Crenshaw at susette@abcil.org to learn more about upcoming training dates.

Why it Matters

  • Create a talent pipeline to meet the industry demand for skilled craft workers

  • Create a more diverse and inclusive construction industry in Illinois

  • Create career opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment

  • Create a model that can be replicated across Illinois and other states

TRAINING & TRANSFORMING

220+

STUDENTS TRAINED

10+

COMMUNITIES SERVED

70%

AVG EMPLOYMENT RATE

$20

MIN HR STARTING WAGE

ILLINOIS IS FACING A CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE SHORTAGE EPIDEMIC

The need for skilled labor in the construction industry is real - Illinois alone has a need for over 275,000+ craft labor professionals. With an aging industry workforce and a lack of promotion in the education system, this need is going to continue to grow.

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  • “I found myself unemployed, then I received an email from ABC about their free 12-week program. The merit shop gave me a chance, and her I am excelling at work, making good money and finally thriving in life. I can’t miss!”

  • “The biggest difference since I started training is I feel like I’m growing. I can take care of my daughter by myself now with any support.”

  • “Don’t doubt yourself, because I doubted myself a lot thinking school’s not for me. But I’m doing pretty good here.”

  • “You’re constantly learning something new, that’s why I fell in love with it.”

  • “This isn’t just a job, it’s a lifelong career.”

FROM OUR STUDENTS

Don’t just take our word for it.

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THE MERIT SHOP DIFFERENCE

ABC’s mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free enterprise approach that award contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.

The Community Builders Program serves as the vehicle by which ABC - Illinois chapter will engage with those with barriers to employment and under-represented communities around the state of Illinois. This program helps develop a more inclusive and diverse talent poll to fill the workforce needs of the construction industry and ABC - Illinois Chapter members.