AGCVA In the News
While the word "advocacy" may bring to mind our work in the legislative and regulatory space, AGCVA is the voice of the construction industry in the public space as well.
You have a powerful story to tell. We are working on your behalf to show the many ways that AGCVA members are making a difference each and every day.
Check out some of our recent media placements below!
January 2024
Construction Firms Expect Mixed Bag for 2024, Survey Says - Virginia Business
October 2023
Encourage kids to pursue construction careers At work to ease Richmond-area's construction labor shortage by drawing on younger generation - Richmond Times Dispatch
September 2023
How Program at Henrico Schools is Tackling Worker Shortage by ‘Thinking Outside the Box’ - WTVR Richmond
May 2023
Report on Virginia Public Education Standards and Policies Overdue - Virginia Mercury
As Governor Youngkin's administration has pushed for improvements in K-12 state education, as well as for an increased focus on workforce readiness, a report on recommendations for those changes is six months overdue. AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training Courtney Baker is quoted, emphasizing the importance of expanded access to advanced diplomas, increased CTE classroom funding, and a talent pipeline for CTE instructors.
April 2023
AGCVA Donates $7,092.47 to Bud Foster's Lunch Pail Defense Foundation AGCVA Immediate Past Chair Anthony Smith and CEO Brandon Robinson, M.A., CAE presented a check to retired Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster. This money was raised through joint efforts between AGCVA and Foster to support the Lunch Pail Defense Foundation, a non-profit organization created by Foster. The Lunch Pail Defense Foundation provides 38 academic scholarships to local high school students via the New River Community College ACCE program. This program offers students a debt-free educational option, with certificate opportunities such as construction technology and electrical-construction technology to prepare them for careers in the construction industry.
March 2023
CTE Month & Women in Construction - WSLS Roanoke
Daphne Swavely, a student at Virginia Technical Institute (VTI), and David Sage, VTI Executive Director, both emphasize the tremendous opportunity that a career in construction offers, the significant need for skilled workers, and the huge value that CTE programs bring to participants, the construction industry, and the community. The SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Competition, which Daphne will be participating in next month, was also mentioned.
March 2022
Women in Construction - WSLS in Roanoke
This story features Nadean Carson, Maggie Moniot, and Melissa Lanzara, all of Parker Design Group. This story shows that women not only have a place in the construction industry, but that they are making their own mark and paving the way for others.
August 2022
The Virginia BEST Program - Virginia News Network
In this interview, Ron Lauster, President of W.M. Jordan Company, and Courtney Baker, AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training, discuss the strategic partnership known as the Virginia BEST Program formed between Virginia Occupational Health & Safety Program (VOSH) and AGCVA. You'll hear how W.M. Jordan puts safety as the top priority to ensure that every member of their team feels safe while at work and returns safely home each evening. Additionally, you will learn about how Virginia BEST has improved best practices, compliance efforts, and accident prevention on construction worksites through recognizing the outstanding efforts of exemplary construction employers.
September 2022
Construction Safety and the Virginia BEST Program - WAVY TV 10
MEB is one of only two construction companies in Virginia that has achieved Level II BEST Recognition. MEB President George Clarke, Corporate Health and Safety Manager, Brett Parker, and Senior Project Engineer, Adrienne Iachetta share how MEB puts safety first through their Start Safe, Stay Safe initiative. AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training Courtney Baker shares how the Virginia BEST Program is helping construction sites statewide to become safer and safer.
Workforce Development - Richmond Times-Dispatch
In an article highlighting industries, including construction, who are seeing the affects of a lack of workforce available, AGCVA CEO Brandon Robinson addresses what AGCVA is doing to connect member companies with those seeking meaningful work. He also emphasized the underlying issue of shifting a focused to skilled trades after high school as an alternative to college.
Workforce Development - WHRO Public Media
AGCVA CEO, Brandon Robinson provides insight on the workforce shortage many industries are facing and about AGCVA's efforts to close the gap. In the interview, he mentions the benefits of entering the construction industry with no college debt and good pay. The segement linked above is part of a longer interview, which you can listen to here.
October 2022
Careers in Construction Month - Richmond Times-Dispatch
In this Op-Ed, AGCVA CEO Brandon Robinson highlights variety of career options in the construction industry that don’t require a college degree. It also emphasizes construction safety efforts through the Virginia BEST program and the need for skilled workers.
Contractor Applications and Licensing Exams Available in Spanish - The Virginia Star
Following Governor Youngkin's announcement that The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) is now providing tradesman and contractor applications and licensing exams in Spanish, The Virginia Star contacted AGCVA for comment. AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training Courtney Baker provided insight as to why this was a big step forward in increasing access to the industry, creating a more diverse workforce, and battling the workforce crisis.
You have a powerful story to tell. We are working on your behalf to show the many ways that AGCVA members are making a difference each and every day.
Check out some of our recent media placements below!
January 2024
Construction Firms Expect Mixed Bag for 2024, Survey Says - Virginia Business
October 2023
Encourage kids to pursue construction careers At work to ease Richmond-area's construction labor shortage by drawing on younger generation - Richmond Times Dispatch
September 2023
How Program at Henrico Schools is Tackling Worker Shortage by ‘Thinking Outside the Box’ - WTVR Richmond
Construction Companies Dealing with Skilled Worker Shortage - NBC12 Richmond
May 2023
Report on Virginia Public Education Standards and Policies Overdue - Virginia Mercury
As Governor Youngkin's administration has pushed for improvements in K-12 state education, as well as for an increased focus on workforce readiness, a report on recommendations for those changes is six months overdue. AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training Courtney Baker is quoted, emphasizing the importance of expanded access to advanced diplomas, increased CTE classroom funding, and a talent pipeline for CTE instructors.
April 2023
AGCVA Donates $7,092.47 to Bud Foster's Lunch Pail Defense Foundation AGCVA Immediate Past Chair Anthony Smith and CEO Brandon Robinson, M.A., CAE presented a check to retired Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster. This money was raised through joint efforts between AGCVA and Foster to support the Lunch Pail Defense Foundation, a non-profit organization created by Foster. The Lunch Pail Defense Foundation provides 38 academic scholarships to local high school students via the New River Community College ACCE program. This program offers students a debt-free educational option, with certificate opportunities such as construction technology and electrical-construction technology to prepare them for careers in the construction industry.
March 2023
CTE Month & Women in Construction - WSLS Roanoke
Daphne Swavely, a student at Virginia Technical Institute (VTI), and David Sage, VTI Executive Director, both emphasize the tremendous opportunity that a career in construction offers, the significant need for skilled workers, and the huge value that CTE programs bring to participants, the construction industry, and the community. The SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Competition, which Daphne will be participating in next month, was also mentioned.
March 2022
Women in Construction - WSLS in Roanoke
This story features Nadean Carson, Maggie Moniot, and Melissa Lanzara, all of Parker Design Group. This story shows that women not only have a place in the construction industry, but that they are making their own mark and paving the way for others.
August 2022
The Virginia BEST Program - Virginia News Network
In this interview, Ron Lauster, President of W.M. Jordan Company, and Courtney Baker, AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training, discuss the strategic partnership known as the Virginia BEST Program formed between Virginia Occupational Health & Safety Program (VOSH) and AGCVA. You'll hear how W.M. Jordan puts safety as the top priority to ensure that every member of their team feels safe while at work and returns safely home each evening. Additionally, you will learn about how Virginia BEST has improved best practices, compliance efforts, and accident prevention on construction worksites through recognizing the outstanding efforts of exemplary construction employers.
September 2022
Construction Safety and the Virginia BEST Program - WAVY TV 10
MEB is one of only two construction companies in Virginia that has achieved Level II BEST Recognition. MEB President George Clarke, Corporate Health and Safety Manager, Brett Parker, and Senior Project Engineer, Adrienne Iachetta share how MEB puts safety first through their Start Safe, Stay Safe initiative. AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training Courtney Baker shares how the Virginia BEST Program is helping construction sites statewide to become safer and safer.
Workforce Development - Richmond Times-Dispatch
In an article highlighting industries, including construction, who are seeing the affects of a lack of workforce available, AGCVA CEO Brandon Robinson addresses what AGCVA is doing to connect member companies with those seeking meaningful work. He also emphasized the underlying issue of shifting a focused to skilled trades after high school as an alternative to college.
Workforce Development - WHRO Public Media
AGCVA CEO, Brandon Robinson provides insight on the workforce shortage many industries are facing and about AGCVA's efforts to close the gap. In the interview, he mentions the benefits of entering the construction industry with no college debt and good pay. The segement linked above is part of a longer interview, which you can listen to here.
October 2022
Careers in Construction Month - Richmond Times-Dispatch
In this Op-Ed, AGCVA CEO Brandon Robinson highlights variety of career options in the construction industry that don’t require a college degree. It also emphasizes construction safety efforts through the Virginia BEST program and the need for skilled workers.
Contractor Applications and Licensing Exams Available in Spanish - The Virginia Star
Following Governor Youngkin's announcement that The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) is now providing tradesman and contractor applications and licensing exams in Spanish, The Virginia Star contacted AGCVA for comment. AGCVA Director of Workforce & Training Courtney Baker provided insight as to why this was a big step forward in increasing access to the industry, creating a more diverse workforce, and battling the workforce crisis.