Get Rewarded for Education and Advancement Training (GREAT)

Building a Skilled Workforce for the Gulf Coast

The Get Rewarded for Education and Advancement Training (GREAT) campaign was created to address the critical workforce shortages facing the Gulf Coast following the 2005 hurricanes. The need for skilled craft professionals in the reconstruction effort exceeded the supply, and workforce shortages threatened to disrupt rebuilding of the Gulf.

Not just in the hurricane-hit areas, but throughout the region, contractors are in need of skilled laborers, but few residents have the training or degrees necessary to fulfill the demands of these important positions. GREAT was designed to solve this problem.

Through GREAT

Workers: Acquire the skills they need to succeed as construction craft professionals. Learn More »
Employers: Secure the reliable workforce they need to rebuild the Gulf Coast. Learn More »
Partners: Support vital Gulf Coast reconstruction efforts and help revive this once-vibrant economy. Learn More »

An Initiative for Growth

The Gulf Coast Workforce Development Initiative (GCWDI) was created by the Business Roundtable in partnership federal, state and local government agencies, businesses, community organizations and construction trade groups and associations, in response to the Gulf Coast’s workforce shortages. GCWDI is committed to addressing critical Gulf Coast workforce shortages through the GREAT campaign. As the recruitment arm of the Initiative, GREAT’s ambitious goal was to recruit up to 20,000 new construction trainees by the end of 2009. The Initiative exceeded its goal to provide free training to 20,000 new craft professionals by the end of 2008. Now the GCWDI is merging with the Choose Construction Initiative and replicating the success of the Gulf Coast nationally.

How to Get Involved

Eligible participants enroll in entry-level skills courses, preparing them for employment in the construction industry. These courses include a comprehensive overview of the worksite and the various trades involved in major construction projects. They also focus on workplace safety. Learn More »

Support from the Business Community

The Initiative supplements ongoing efforts in both the public and private sectors to develop the skilled workforce needed to help rebuild the Gulf Coast. The Initiative is primarily funded through members of Business Roundtable, which represents chief executive officers of the largest companies in the country, from every sector of the economy; as well as the Construction Users Roundtable, which represents construction users whose projects create job opportunities for contractors and skilled craft worker. Learn More »

Training to Succeed

Instructors certified by the respected National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) teach all trainees. Recruits are also able to choose organized labor apprenticeship programs. Learn More »

Choose Construction Initiative (CCI)

Transition to CCI

Under the excellent leadership of Tim Horst and his team of dedicated training coordinators and public and private partners, GCWDI reached its goal of recruiting 20,000 new construction trainees more than a year ahead of the stated deadline. Because the GREAT campaign became a model for recruiting and training, upon achieving that goal, the GCWDI was to be turned over to the Construction Users Roundtable to become part of the national effort called the Choose Construction Initiative.

A National Workforce Development Initiative

The Choose Construction Initiative was created to build on the successes of GCWDI and provide a comprehensive solution to the workforce development problem facing the construction industry.

Manage national supply/demand forecasting model (www.cwdcforecasting.com) to ensure a thorough understanding of the construction labor market.
Execute an effective, relevant, contemporary marketing and recruiting campaign to brand the industrial construction industry as a desirable career choice and thereby increase the pool of individuals available to be trained as construction craft professionals.
Work to ensure candidates are trained, placed and retained.
Supply the “glue” that links together a network of effective programs.

Choose Construction Partnership

Construction Users Roundtable (CURT)
Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC)
Associated General Contractors (AGC)
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Alabama AFL-CIO and Building Trades
Numerous construction users and contractors

Target Audience

Individuals already in the workforce (underemployed, unemployed, minorities, women and displaced workers)
Individuals preparing for the workforce (students from elementary through high school and those currently in some level of secondary education)
Individuals who influence the decisions of those preparing for the workforce (parents, teachers, guidance counselors, career awareness professionals and others)

Who Can Participant

Participating partners (Owners, Contractors, Organized Labor, Others)
Accredited technical schools
Qualified training entities

Benefit to Participants

Easy to use web-based forecasting model that provides secure supply/demand data.
Access to a database of quality candidates for training and placement.
Increased supply of craft professionals to complete current and future projects.
Trained workforce of craft professionals ensuring a sustainable workforce.
Process for following candidates to help retain them in the industry.

Get involved now »

“While the national response to the hurricanes has been unprecedented, we know that the Gulf Coast region continues to need support for reconstruction. Our goal is to help the Gulf Coast region rebuild and recover from the catastrophic physical, economic, and social devastation wrought by the hurricanes.”

Chad Holliday
CEO of DuPont and Co-Chair of the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Initiative