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We are grateful for the support of all CCCC Members listed on the

Membership Page.

Sustaining Members:

http://www.cal-smacna.org

SMACNA - Orange Empire

SMACNA - Los Angeles

SMACNA - San Diego

SMACNA - Bay Area

Construction Employers' Association

California Conference of Mason Contractor Associations

Assiciated Roofing Contractors of the Bay Area Counties

California Building Industry Institute CBIA

California Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association

History - The California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom, (CCCC), was formed back in 1998 to promote the construction industry as a career option to parents, students, teachers and school administrators. CCCC represents the entire construction industry, including specialty contractors, general contractors, architects, engineers and inspectors. We are comprised of approximately 80 of the largest Construction and Building Trade Associations; representing roughly 15,000 businesses throughout California. The Coalition has earned a reputation throughout California for leadership in the effort to help educate students, teachers, parents, legislators and the public about the critical shortage of a work force that was inadvertantly caused by the systematic dismantling of vocational and career technical education (CTE) over the past 20 years.

CCCC, a 501 (c) 3 charitable nonprofit organization, was founded by the California Association of Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA), all eight of its local chapters and its parent organization. CCCC is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of CEO's of key construction and design associations and their members.

Due to the retirement of our highly skilled national workforce and the increase of construction activity, we must recruit 240,000 new workers each year for the next ten years. In a high-growth state like California, the need is even more pressing. This shortage means that companies must spend more to train workers and that contractors are less competitive because they are unprepared to build new projects. Both of these factors contribute to increased costs.

Our goal is to attract highly qualified workers into the industry. To do this, we promote a multi-faceted program, which focuses on career awareness and exploration of the trades.

Our Mission - The CCCC works to provide information and materials to parents, students and teachers interested in Career Technical Education and to support our members in the effort to recreate a qualifed work force. Hundreds of courses that once offered millions of Califonia's kids relevant methods for learning english, math and science in a contextual setting have been eliminated. Why? There are a variety of explanations, but suffice it to say that 20+ years ago the entire public school system began to reflect a more collegiate trend. The intent was a positive one. The message aimed uniformly at all students was, "College is for everyone."

  • 30% of students who enter 9th grade do not graduate. [Department of Finance]
  • Only 40% of our students are proficient in Math. [Department of Education: "2004 Accountability Report", 10.7.04]
  • Almost half of all freshmen admitted to CSU need remediation in English. [CSU Analytical Studies Department, 1.28.04]
  • 35% of CA schools failed to meet the federal Adequate Yearly Progress criteria. [California Department of Education, "Progress Report 2004"]

Now, after years of frustration it seems that some may be listening to what vocational education (Voc Ed) and career technical education (CTE) teachers have been saying for years. Some kids will thrive in other subjects when they see how, for example, math relates to CAD (Computer Aided Drawing/Drafting); Auto Shop or Landscape Design.

College is a great experience for those who want to continue with higher education. When we take a look at the drop out rate today, perhaps it is time to admit that while college "may be for everyone," not everyone is for college for a variety of reasons. The fact remains that 2/3 of students will be looking to build a career to support themselves. Are they prepared?

CCCC works to see that students get career exposure and to remind everyone that nowhere is it written that colleges will close their doors if those students do not apply while in high school.

Colleges are more than willing to take tuition money at any point in life. So if you are a student or a parent feeling pressure because the drive to go to college just isn't there, don't give up. There are plenty of options just waiting to be explored.