Underground Infrastructure - February 2023 - 27

CONVENTIONPREVIEW
Michael Ancell | PCCA
Workforce Development, Damage
Prevention Are High on PCCA's Agenda
The Power & Communication Contractors
Association (PCCA) entered
2023 focused on issues surrounding
the influx of federal funds into the
broadband and electric power markets,
primarily finding a sufficient workforce,
keeping the underground space
safe and dealing with various stipulations
placed upon the funding.
PCCA also has two meetings
planned for 2023 - the 78th Annual
Convention in Miami, Fla., March 3-8,
and the Mid-Year Meeting in Dana
Point, Calif., Aug. 6-9.
Workforce development
PCCA has been addressing the industry's
shortage of workers in a variety
of ways over the years. Most notably,
it works with technical schools and
community colleges to create utility
construction programs. Th ese include:
State Technical College of Missouri,
Terra
State
Community
College
(Ohio), Northwood Technical College
(Wisc.), Monroe County Community
College (Mich.), and Somerset
Community College (Ky.).
In addition, PCCA is working with
the Wireless Infrastructure Association
under a U.S. Department of Labor grant
designed to support large-scale expansions
of apprenticeship in the utility
construction industry. Also, the association
provides scholarships to students
looking for careers in construction-related
industries.
Th e biggest challenge to workforce
development is fi nding the workers,
according to PCCA Chairman Jerrod
Henschel, president & CEO of Equix
Inc., in Fond du Lac, Wisc.
" Th e simple fact is the birth rate in
our country has been below sustainable
levels since 1973, and this is showing
itself in our workforce now more than
ever. Every contractor I know of has unfi
lled positions, and I see this in many
other industries as well, " he said.
" Lack of labor is holding back economic
growth. Meanwhile, there are
millions of really good, hard-working
people trying to enter this country that
want an opportunity at the American
dream. What's been happening at the
Mexican border is a travesty.
" We need a balanced approach, control
the border to prevent traffi cking
and all forms of illegal activity, while
at the same time instituting real immigration
reform that allows good, hard
working people a legal way to enter the
country, become taxpayers, and pursue
their dreams. "
As PCCA pursues the daunting task
of immigration reform, the association
has found a starting point and perhaps
a legislator to champion the cause. Last
year, Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and
six of her Republican House colleagues
2022-23 PCCA Chairman Jerrod Henschel,
Equix Inc.
introduced the Dignity Act, a complete
immigration reform bill consisting of
three core principles: stopping illegal
immigration, providing a dignifi ed solution
for immigrants living in America,
and strengthening the American workforce
and economy.
" Our broken immigration system
is fracturing America - economically,
morally, socially and politically, " said
Salazar when introducing the Dignity
Act. " While we are a nation of laws, we
are also a nation of second chances. I'm
grateful to my colleagues for joining me
to keep the American Dream alive. "
Her argument is that the Dignity
proposal considers that the majoriUndergroundInfrastructure.com
| FEBRUARY 2023 27
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Underground Infrastructure - February 2023

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