By JOHN GEIGER
For The Reporter
Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) Commercial Construction Prep Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday for the grand opening of its new location at 11837 Technology Lane, Fishers. Gibson Commercial Construction renovated the new location.
According to ABC Prep Academy Director Robert Kneberg, the ABC Prep Academy is currently serving students from six high schools and three homeschool groups. The academy is currently accepting junior and senior enrollments for the 2022-2023 school year.
Reporter photo by JohnGeiger.com
“The mission of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky Commercial Construction Prep Academy is to develop skilled and employable individuals and serve as an effective pipeline to aligned summer internships, employment, and ABC apprenticeship opportunities leading to essential careers in the construction trades,” Kneberg said.
ABC is a national construction industry trade association providing the availability of apprenticeships for individuals who want to begin a career in the trades. ABC President JR Gaylor said the academy represents around 700 contractors and employs 175,000 construction workers.
“The industry needs young people,” Gaylor said. “There are many, many openings and we hope that you continue in the pipeline towards further training, employment, and a great career. The Indiana workforce and development has said that construction is a high-wage and high-demand industry, so there is a future for each of you with great careers and opportunities. This program is and has always been about you the students and their career and opportunities.”
Kneberg said the ABC prep academy is designed for students to discover what the trades are available, and which might be the right fit for each of them.
Reporter photo by JohnGeiger.com
According OneZone Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jack Russell, local high schools were not providing these types of experiences and opportunities for those students who needed and wanted them citing the schools don’t have the resources and expertise that the community does.
“After forming this partnership, there were only 10 kids in the first class eight to nine years ago,” Russell said. “This year we have 60 now, and next year will have 75 students.”
With the ABC program, a student can come from high school, go directly into the workforce, work for four years as an apprentice, get an associate degree from Vincennes University, and then move on to a bachelor’s degree. While earning six college credits and moving from junior to journeyman, students can also earn OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED) as well as other certificates valuable to the trade.
“We’re just trying to give you some hope for the future,” Gaylor said. “We could all use a booster shot of hope.”
You can reach ABC Prep Academy by phone at (317) 914-0171 or online at abcindianakentucky.org.
Reporter photos by JohnGeiger.com
What an inspiring article- a truly positive program for our young people and for our country! A win-win.