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DespitebumpsandtwistsinArizonax19scommercialandhousingconstructionmarketsbuildersandhigh-schooleducatorshavelinkedtokeepthecraftpipelinefullforananticipatedmarketrevivalandexpectedretirement-drivenworkforcegaps.x1cWebelievetheeconomicdownturnisatemporaryphenomenonandwhenitx19soverwewillhavemoreworkthanwehaveskilledlaborx1dsaysDavePittmandirectoroftheSouthernArizonadivisionoftheArizonaBuildersx19Allianceastatewidecontractorgroupwhose400membersincludebothunionandnonunionrms.ItteamedwiththePimaCountyJointTechnologicalEducationDistrictJTEDinTucsonlastyeartoexpandandequipax1clearninglaboratoryx1dinalocalmagnethighschooltoteachelectricalandHVACtradeskillstostudents.ParticipantssayArizonax19sconstructionmarketispoisedforrecovery.x1cEversincetheinventionofairconditioningArizonahasbeenoneofthefastestgrowingstatesinthecountryx1dsaysPittman.x1cDemographerssayinthenext30yearsitwillmorethandoubleinsizeandthatmeansworkfortheconstructionindustry.Wex19dbeshortsightedtothinkwewillnotneedconstructionworkersinthefuture.x1dWhiledemandforsomeentry-leveltradesisdecliningthereisstillworkforskilledapprenticesintheTucsonareasaysLarryCopenhaverABAcrafttrainingcoordinator.Henotesthatfourofthedivisionx19s160membersdonatedmorethan100000inequipmentandupgradestoenhanceandexpandexistingvocationaleducationspaceatCatalinaMagnetHighSchool.ItisusedbytheschoolduringthedayandbyABAatnightforitsfour-yearnonunioncraftapprenticeprograms.Thebuildersx19organizationhas62HVACandelectricaltradesx19apprenticesatCatalinaandanother12apprenticinginplumbingatTucson-basedPimaCommunityCollegewheretightspaceprecludedbuildingthenewlabfacilities.UnderanagreementthehighschoolrentsthespacetoABAfor1peryearforveyearswithanoptiontorenewafterthat.Theimprovementsandequipmentbecamethepropertyoftheschooldistrict.EightstudentsarenowtakingthenewHVACclasswhichmeetsat630a.m.beforetheirregularclassesbegin.Anothergroupwillsoonstartearlymorningelectrical-skillstraining.x1cThereisnoquestionabouttheneedx1dsaysTomRosssafetyandlaborcoordinatorforWilsonElectricServicesCorp.TempeanABAmemberthathiresitsapprenticesandinstalledthelabx19slightingandpowerreceptacles.x1cItwasawaytohelpthemandanopportunityforourguystolearnx1dsaysRoss.PaulChavezasuperintendentintheTucsonofceofHelixElectricInc.recentlyinterviewedadozenABAapprenticesforupcomingbarracksworkthermhasatnearbyFortHuachucawhichhousesseveralmajorArmycommands.Inadditionheexpectsashoppingmallprojecttomoveforwardthismonth.MaderaMechanicalInc.Tucsondonatedthelabx19sductworkandinstalledit.x1cWex19veneverhadanadequatenumberofsheetmetalworkerstoapprenticex1dsaysKevinWarnervicepresident.x1cWex19recommittedtovocationaleducation.x1dRecession-strappedtechnologyeducatorscouldnotbehappier.x1cWithcurrentbudgetproblemsitwasahugedealtohavethatkindofsupportx1dsaysAaronBallJTEDx19sExecutiveDirectorofProgramDevelopment.x1cIthasexpandedtheconstructionprogramx19sabilitytoappealtoabroadrangeofstudents.x1dHollisSimmonsleadbuildingandconstructiontradesinstructorattheCatalinaschoolsaysthelabx1chasenabledmetostartanotherprogramformystudents.x1dCopenhaversaystheeffortisx1cbuildingasynergybetweenthevocationalprogramsatthehighschoollevelandapprenticeship.Itisawaytomakeyoungpeopleawareoftheadvantagesandopportunitiesinapprenticeship.x1dReprintedcourtesyofEngineeringNews-RecordcopyrightTheMcGrawHillCompaniesInc.May182009Allrightsreserved.tucsonhighschoolersawaix15markex15pickupax15on-six15ecrafx15apprenx15icex18learninglabx1912