The Construction Career Collaborative, or C3, has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year as a business alliance of owners, contractors and specialty contractors advocating to re-establish a highly-skilled and sustainable craft workforce for the future. We’re doing it by adhering to three principles on C3 projects: Financial security, health and well-being of the craft worker, and safety training coupled with craft training.

On July 12, MAREK held their 2017 Workforce Development Graduation, an annual event where the advancements of MAREK employees are recognized and celebrated with a dinner, remarks from company trainers and executives, and a keynote speaker from an industry leader. Prior to the ceremony in which each graduating helper, mechanic, and promoted foreman was recognized with their coaches before friends and family, I had the opportunity to speak with five of the craft professionals who were being honored as graduating helpers.