Construction Occupations Meeting
Date: July 16, 2012
Location: Omni Bayfront (Corpus Christi, Texas)
Meeting was called to order by Brett Dickinson.
1. In light of the strong support from Tom Pauken of the Texas Workforce Commission, Brett Dickinson encouraged all teachers to contact their local state senators and representatives in support of CTE initiatives during this coming legislative session, especially in regard to graduation requirements that limit the number of electives students can take.
2. John Ellis, Statewide CTE Coordinator, introduced himself and encouraged teachers to contact him regarding program questions and also regarding future TEKS modifications. Brett Dickinson encouraged all teachers to review any changes to TEKS and contact Mr. Ellis and the state board if changes are desired (reminded teachers of the 260 TEKS for the current Intro. to Arch. & Const. class).
3. Announcement: Mike Benton, Const. Tech Teacher, is our representative on the board of directors for SkillsUSA District 1-4.
4. General agreement that Construction Tool ID contest was a success and should continue at district and state level.
5. Pat Conner gave a SkillsUSA update and fielded questions.
a. SkillsUSA alumni organization is growing and they are a great help at state contest; encourage your graduating students to join.
b. Working on 7-8 new contests for state, including Construction Materials ID (with actual materials) and 2-person carpentry contest. Mickey Ethridge suggested adding a Const. Tech Quiz Bowl.
c. Report from Nationals: 50% were first time for their advisors, 75% of Texas students placed in the top 10.
d. Discussed possibility of an auction for student projects at state (only those projects purchased with student funds).
e. If a state contest is adopted for nationals it needs 10 states to successfully run the contest for 3 years and at least one industrial sponsorship.
f. Pat discussed the need for more industrial commitments; Lowes is cutting back. If we can give Pat an open door with an industrial prospect he will take it from there. Some states require Team Works to bring their own materials; at present Lowe’s has covered Texas Team Works but that is not a guarantee for the coming year.
g. Many schools reserve rooms at the Omni conference hotels in the fall so that all rooms are usually booked by the end of November. However, many SkillsUSA advisors cancel at the last minute so that there are rooms available at these hotels. SkillsUSA must pay a huge penalty if there is less than 80% occupancy. PLEASE notify the Omni as soon as you know that you will not be needing all your rooms.
h. The reason that some state t-shirt sizes run out is because Pat has to estimate the final 1/3 of the shirts based on the percentage of sizes for students already registered (he has to place order early to get a reasonable price). New registration program should help.