Shoptalk with Sherrie - Job Applications

Shoptalk with Sherrie – February 13, 2023


The SWCA Scholarship Application is still open! Make sure to send in your application before the deadline, Feb. 28^th, 2023.
 
Here are some of the items we are working on this week:

• Nominations for the Construction Champion Awards are open! Nominate a company that you think showcases that they are committed to the construction industry and exhibit qualities of leadership, craftsmanship, and community action! Nomination Form

• Save the date for March 30^th for our next member open house at our SWCA office.
• The Summit schedule is now online. Check out all our amazing speakers here.
• Registration is open for our annual Construction Executive Summit on March 2^nd, 2023. 12 breakouts, 3 keynote speakers, supplier expo & more! Presenters this year include economic updates, cybersecurity, and mental health in the workplace.  Just announced, keynote speaker & economist Dr. Michael Wilkerson of ECONorthwest will be presenting!
• Are you looking for entry-level workers?  Send Christine your job descriptions & how to apply, and we will represent you at the Battle Ground Public Schools Industrial Fair on February 16^th.  Have company swag?  We’d love to take that with us as well!
• The SWCA Foundation Scholarship application deadline has been extended to February 28, 2023!  Click here to find out more and to complete an application.
• Save the Date: April 26^th for a NEW and highly requested legislative event at the AC Marriott.

• HB 1308: High School Graduation Pathway Options - SWCA supported the public hearing on HB 1308 this past week. The bill - which has passed the House the past few years - would require the establishment of alternative pathways focused on performance-based learning experiences. The legislation is scheduled for executive action, and we will work with other stakeholders to support the bill as it moves forward.
• HB 1013: Regional pre-apprenticeships - The legislation to create regional pre-apprenticeship programs continues to move forward. SWCA has supported the legislation that would allow for the creation of pilots to develop opportunities for students to earn dual credits toward graduation requirements and apprenticeships. The legislation was heard this week in the House Appropriations Committee.
• HB 1589 / SB 5562: PSE NG Decarbonization - The legislation would prohibit new natural gas service to residential or commercial customers for the state's largest gas distribution company. The concern with the legislation is it could apply to all natural gas use soon.

• A few bills we support:
  • SB 5057 Creating a work group to evaluate the costs of the state energy performance standard for covered commercial buildings. Comments: Delays the implementation of Clean Building standards, requires a report on financial impacts of state-owned buildings, and recommends alternative compliance or efficiency measures.
  • HB 1273 sponsored by Rep. Berg concerning high school and beyond planning. Comments: “Modifies the requirements of a high school and beyond plan, requiring career interest and skills inventory to inform a high school plan. Provides for alternative math to include career and technical education equivalencies, and updated plans with alternative graduation pathways.”
  • HB 16­­58 sponsored by Rep. Shavers concerning the authorization of public high school students to earn elective credit for paid work experience. Education (House) - HHR A and Virtual JLOB - 2/13 @ 1:30pm

• SSB 5417 – Employer Political Speech, Protecting the rights of workers to refrain from attending meetings or listening to their employer's speech on political or religious matters. Comments: The legislation would prohibit an employer from calling a meeting to explain to employees why unionizing isn't necessary, as an example of what would be limited.
• HB 1050 – Apprenticeship Utilization, expanding apprenticeship utilization requirements. Comments: “WCIC Opposes - would require a new apprenticeship threshold for subcontractors of $200K for projects. Industry trying to move from $200K to 2,000 hrs. worked.”
• SB 5563 – Prevailing Wage, concerning how the prevailing wage for public works is determined. Comments: “Requires the industrial statistician, when there is more than one collective bargaining agreement in a county, to determine the prevailing wage using the majority rate from those agreements, or, when a majority rate is not present, the rate representing the preponderance of hours. Provides that an interested party may contest a determination by the industrial statistician to prove the actual rate used in the determination is less than the rate representing the majority number or preponderance of hours.”

• Interested in providing feedback or have another bill that you’d like us to track?  Email Sherrie.

• Leadership Clark County is hosting their first annual Rock & Roll Bowl-A-Thon on April 29^th, 2023. Check out there sponsorship opportunities here. And find more information on their Facebook page.
• Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver is accepting new registrations to participate in our youth entrepreneurship program this year. Kids, groups, or classes are encouraged to sign up and start their business journey today! Learn more and sign up here.
• The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking public comments now through Feb 24^th, on “making adequate provisions” for housing needs. Read their draft here and send comments to laura.hodgson@commerce.wa.gov  
• Clark County Planning is starting the process of updating the local Comprehensive Growth Management Plan. The public is invited to review and provide feedback. The comment period will close Feb. 8, at 5pm.
• SWCA will be participating in the Meet the Agencies event, Thursday Feb. 16^th. There will be 5 agencies sharing more about their work as well as contractors who will get to talk to the agencies. This event is put on by PTAC and MRSC.

• Two of our members supported the Skills USA Carpenters Competition last Friday! Jon Girod (Quail Homes)and Dennis Schmid (Robertson & Olson) spent the day judging students work. Thank you Jon and Dennis for supporting the next generation in workforce development in our community!

• We are excited to welcome Newman Electric to our membership!
• Cascadia Tech Academy is now accepting applications for current sophomores and juniors in Clark County for 2023-2024. Submit your application here.
• Alliance Northwest is the largest business-to-government conference in the Pacific Northwest. This event features high-quality workshops and matchmaking sessions between small businesses, government agencies, and prime contractors. To register for the event and take advantage of SWCA promo code: www.eventbrite.com/e/465394937787/?discount=2023SWCA