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Central Valley Construction Career Awareness Day a success
Last month, Associated General Contractors of California (AGC) San Joaquin District hosted 375 students from 15 area schools at the first Central Valley Construction Career Awareness Day. The goal of the event was to introduce local high school students to the many job opportunities available in the construction industry.
“Construction work is diverse, good-paying, and many of the leaders in the industry have come from modest backgrounds with little or no higher education,” said Gary Castro, Board President of the San Joaquin District of AGC.
Speaking to students who attended the event, CalTrans District 6 Regional Direct Malcolm Dougherty stated, “Even in a slumping economy, there are jobs in construction. In the next 12 months, we will offer over $4 billion worth of transportation projects in California. $4.5 billion worth of CalTrans construction work represents a lot of jobs and a lot of work in this state during a time when other parts of the economy are shrinking. This is a good time for you to consider a career in construction.”
The Career Awareness Day served as a good opportunity for kids who cannot or do not want to go to college to learn about other career options. The event opened students’ eyes to the many possibilities available in the industry.
“This event definitely opened up my students’ thoughts as to the possibilities for employment in the construction industry,” said Richard Jacobsen, a Welding, Fabrication & Construction teacher at Le Grand Union High School. “The students were very excited to learn about the heavy equipment. Even though it is nontraditional, I had several female students interested in pursuing heavy equipment career options. If AGC hosts this event next year, I will definitely bring students again.”
Clovis Unified Automotive Technology Teacher Jason Mullikin added “I know that I can bring three times as many kids to this event next year. This was a good and worthwhile event.”
If your company is interested in participating in the next Central Valley Construction Career Awareness Day, contact Allyson Robison at arobison@csufresno.edu.
Participants and sponsors of the event included: AGC Education Foundation, Agee Construction Corporation, American Paving, BSK and Associates, California State University, Fresno, CalTrans, FCI Construction, Inc., Fresno Builders Exchange, General Crane, Granite Construction, Harris Construction, Hensel Phelps, ITT Technical Institute, Kitchell, KRC Safety, Kroeker, Inc., Lyles Construction Group, Northern California Laborers’ Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, Pape Machinery, Penhall Company, Potters’ Porta Potties, Quinn Company, R.J. Berry, Jr., Inc., Soltek Pacific, and Teichert Constructions.
'Start It Up: Fresno's $250K Entrepreneur Challenge' launches
The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State has officially launched its business plan competition: “Start It Up: Fresno’s $250K Entrepreneur Challenge.” Start It Up offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to turn a business idea into reality with $250,000—including $100,000 cash and $150,000 in-kind services.
“Fresno is the sixth largest city in California, and it continues to grow,” said Dr. Tim Stearns, executive director of the Lyles Center. “This competition is a chance for entrepreneurs nationwide to bring their business to a great city that will no doubt offer a very rewarding return on investment.”
Business plans must be submitted by 5 p.m., July 31. Twenty individuals or teams will be chosen to participate in a videoconference call. Ten will be chosen as finalists to come to Fresno on Oct. 2-3 for the final phase of the competition. The Start It Up winner will be announced live on Oct. 4 during halftime of the Fresno State Bulldog football game.
For more information, visit www.lylescenter.com.
RJI Public Sector cluster seeking to fill jobs in public organizations
The goal of the newly formed Public Sector cluster is to have a community where all public sector jobs are filled with exceptional employees. “We believe that public sector employees do the jobs that keep the community running and shape the future,” said cluster member Suzanne Bertz-Rosa.
At one point in 2007, there were 800 hard-to-fill open positions among Fresno’s most prominent public sector organizations: Fresno Unified School District, Fresno County Office of Education, City of Fresno, and County of Fresno. Over the course of a year, these four public sector organizations often need to fill as many as 2,300 jobs.
The Public Sector Cluster is collaborating to make public sector jobs easier to find, enhance the perception of our area in order to attract public sector workers from other areas, and communicate the positive aspects of working in the public sector to attract workers from the private sector.
The project revolves around a Web site that searches all of the public sector partner sites for available jobs. Additional content will include profiles of public sector employees to demonstrate the job satisfaction and information about the vibrancy of the area. One Web site will make marketing more efficient and effective. Marketing materials and public relations activities will drive potential candidates to the Web site.
The proposed outcomes are better candidates (quality), richer pool of candidates (quantity), raising esteem of public sector employment, and making better use of public funds by leveraging resources.
Additional collaboration opportunities include joint training, shared information systems and resources, and shared best practices.
Currently, the project is in development and is looking for a commitment from public sector organizations. If your organization would like to participate, contact Allyson Robison at arobison@csufresno.edu.
'State of the CVB' annual membership luncheon and tradeshow June 19
The Fresno City and County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Fresno CVB) will hold its 43rd Annual Membership Luncheon and Tradeshow next Thursday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “State of the CVB” will be held at the Fresno Convention Center New Exhibit Hall.
With a new staff, new energy and new enthusiasm, the Fresno CVB is excited to reveal recent accomplishments as well as a new marketing and business plan. Also showcased will be awards for Water Tower Volunteer of the Year and Hometown Heroes to recognize local people who have helped the Fresno CVB bring both tourists and significant conventions or events to the City of Fresno.
Featured speakers will include Laura Whitehouse, president and CEO of the CVB; Stan Oken, owner of Wonder Valley Ranch and Resort and outgoing chairman of the CVB; and Brian Glover, owner of the Fresno Grizzlies and incoming chairman of the CVB.
Tickets are $25 each or a table of 10 for $250. For more information or to register, visit www.FresnoCVB.org.
City of Mendota and Cleantech America, Inc. win CALED award
The City of Mendota and Cleantech America, Inc,. have earned an award from the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) for creating green energy jobs through CalRENEW-1, a five-megawatt utility scale photovoltaic (PV) solar farm to be located in Mendota. The recently approved project will be the largest solar farm in California, providing emission-free PV solar electricity to PG&E under a long-term power purchase agreement.
The CALED Award of Excellence honors development projects between the public and private sector that exemplify the spirit of partnership. “We look forward to triple benefits from this project in the areas of job creation, air quality and energy self-sufficiency,” said Mendota Mayor Robert Silva. “We are very proud to have been acknowledged with this honor.”
RJI leaders worked with the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County to locate the Cleantech America project in Fresno County. “The Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative has been a critical ingredient to our progress toward what will be California’s largest photovoltaic solar power plant, said Bill Barnes, Cleantech America CEO. “We often hear that California has a less than business-friendly climate; but the RJI makes the San Joaquin Valley a fertile ground for growing new businesses, technologies and jobs.”
Creative Fresno puts the 'fun' in fundraising
Photo courtesy of Tracy Olsen.
Creative Fresno has completed four murals in downtown Fresno and is currently working on two more. To raise funds for the murals, Creative Fresno hosts a monthly “Battle of the Bartenders” event. The battle on May 20 pitted two RJI leaders against one another: RJI COO Ashley Swearengin versus Innovation Task Force Leader Timothy Stearns, raising $1,100 for downtown murals.
Ashley, who was on leave from the RJI at the time, was looking a bit Martha Stewart-ish sporting a bright yellow apron and bright yellow rubber gloves. Tim, the constant promoter of innovation, was wearing a T-shirt of a local startup on the front and the words “Kick Me” on the back. Stearns had created a concoction called the FresnoVator (think Fresno + Innovator), while Ashley came prepared with a list of cheekily named beverages. Stearns fought hard but Swearengin was victorious.
The real winners were those in attendance, Creative Fresno, and those who believe in downtown Fresno. Thanks everyone for your generosity. To see more pictures from the event, go to creativefresno.com/news/battle-no-other.
Creative Fresno engages creative professionals to create a better community. Their Mural Project brings together the talent, organizations and financial resources necessary to create artistic murals throughout downtown Fresno and the greater community at large. Murals create an awareness and appreciation for the visual arts while building a sense of pride and connection within and throughout the community. Public art, in general, and murals, in particular, feed the cultural soul of the city as well as build Fresno into a destination location.
Current murals can be seen at:
- Broadway Studios: West side of building
- Pearl Building: In the alley behind the building on the Econo Lodge
- H Street Lofts: Facing Sacramento Street
- Vagabond Lofts: Facing H Street.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Mural Project, please go to www.CreativeFresno.com.
Fresno COG announces new leadership staff
The Council of Fresno County Governments (Fresno COG) Policy Board recently announced new leadership staff upon the retirement of long-time Executive Director Barbara Goodwin. Tony Boren has been appointed as executive director and Barbara Steck as deputy director.
Tony will step into his new role after serving as Fresno COG’s deputy director; Barbara takes on her new role after working as a Fresno COG Senior Transportation Planner.
To learn more about Fresno COG, please visit www.FresnoCOG.org.
Fresno State offers online Certificate in Community College Faculty Preparation program
Aspiring and current community college faculty can now earn a Certificate in Community College Faculty Preparation in a completely online format. The program consists of four courses and a sponsored experience, and is open to existing faculty as well as those with graduate degrees in any field who wish to teach at the community college level. The first course in the program is offered online beginning August 30, followed by online courses starting in October 2008; January 2009; and March 2009. Each course offers graduate level academic credit. Details are available by contacting the Division of Continuing & Global Education at California State University, Fresno at 559.278.0333 or cgeinfo@csufresno.edu.
Fresno County Library offers Resumé Makeover and Mock Interview clinics
The Career Center at the Fresno County Library has established monthly job clinics—Resumé Makeover and Mock Interview—to assist county residents in finding a job. The clinics are free to all job seekers and take place at the Central Branch of the Fresno County Library (2420 Mariposa St., Fresno).
The Resumé Makeover Clinics take place the second Tuesday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. During this time, a career coach will evaluate resumés and make suggestions to increase the effectiveness of each resumé.
The Mock Interview Clinics are the fourth Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. Each participant will go through Behavior Based Interview questioning, as well as work with the career coach on describing experience from the participant’s resumé.
For more information, contact Bernice Kao at 559.488.3628 or bernice.kao@fresnolibrary.org or visit www.FresnoLibrary.org/JCS.
Arts & Culture cluster update
Save the Date: 2008 Cultural Arts Conference
The second annual cultural arts conference will be held on October 17 at the Downtown Fresno Holiday Inn. The event will focus on bringing cultural arts providers together with community, business and public leaders dedicated to growing a thriving cultural arts community.
Economic Impact Study
Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science & History has contracted with Americans for the Arts to use their technology to conduct a survey of nonprofit cultural arts providers and their audiences. The surveys are expected to be completed by the end of June with a final report to be released at the 2008 Cultural Arts Conference on October 17. Funding for the study has been provided by Fresno Regional Foundation, Indian Gaming Committee, City of Fresno and City of Clovis.
Centralized Event Calendar
In July, Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science & History will convene potential partners to develop a centralized event calendar that will foster audience development. If you are interested in participating, contact Cynthia Cooper at ccooper@fcash.org.
Upcoming General Meetings
July 8 – Mayoral Candidate Henry T. Perea presents his Cultural Arts Agenda for the City of Fresno
August 12 – Mayoral Candidate Ashley Swearengin presents her Cultural Arts Agenda for the City of Fresno
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