Associated Builders and Contractors, Delaware Chapter, and its Safety & Health Committee formed a new alliance with the vo-tech schools to bring the OSHA-10 Hour course, a staple of safety courses in the construction industry, to students who are studying the trades.

"The school district has now integrated the course into their curriculum at Delcastle High School, Howard Career Center and Hodgson Vo-Tech High School," said Edward Capodanno, President, of ABC Delaware. "We have also included Delaware County Vo-Tech High School in our program."

"This program is a tremendous benefit to our ABC Delaware members and the construction industry in general," continued Capodanno. "First, the students, future employees, will have a better understanding of safety and its importance on the jobsite. Second, as students enter the workforce, they will have their OSHA 10-Hour card which means employers will not have to bear the expense of training them in safety the first year on the job."

Instructors for the course were ABC Delaware members certified in OSHA techniques. Student and vo-tech officials evaluations proved the program to be a success.

"We were very pleased with the outcome of the program and are encouraged with the partnership between ABC Delaware and the state's vo-tech schools," said Capodanno. "We look forward to helping students understand the importance of safety in today's construction industry and why everyone, no matter what position or trade, must be concerned with jobsite safety."