Construction Advancement Foundation

6050 Southport Road, Suite A, Portage, IN  46368
219-764-2883 - Fax 219-764-2885


OUR GOAL: To Unite, Promote, Protect and Help the interests of our contributors.
Your company is affected by many forces, some which are controllable, others, such as government, legislation and the economy, which are not. CAF's mission is to provide the tools that help to manage these forces. Becoming a contributor to Construction Advancement Foundation is an important first tool.

More than 500 general and specialty contractors who work in Northwest Indiana support our efforts. Here are the tools we provide for them.

 

PROMOTE

The long-term health of the union construction industry depends on labor and management working together. CAF's Labor Management Cooperative Trust helps both sides identify issues of mutual concern and facilitates the steps that will resolve their differences. The activities in which the Trust is involved include economic and workforce development, industry promotion and project delivery systems education.

 

HELP

Government policies are one force that has an impact on the construction industry. CAF is in constant communication with local, state and federal officials and agencies that promulgate these policies. We make them aware how such policies could affect the economic condition of our contributors and the industry as a whole.

CAF monitors the marketplace to anticipate emerging new skills. These skills will challenge workers as well as managers and supervisors. Through its Supervisory Training Program, CAF offers numerous training modules to help management and supervision keep abreast of new construction technology.

A Supervisory Training Program class usually takes five weeks to complete and qualifies its participants to receive full college credit toward completion of degrees or certificates in the Purdue University Calumet Department of Construction Technology.

Shorter-term classes and workshops on subjects of interest to other levels of construction company management are also available.  Look at the Calendar or CAF Flyers page for upcoming classes and seminars.  You may also register online!!

 

PROTECT

CAF contributors agree that Job Safety is one of the industry's most important issues. They provide substantial financial commitments to help protect workers on the job.

A comprehensive safety program is another tool that CAF offers. A full-time and highly qualified Safety Director is available to assist contributors with their safety needs.

CAF sponsors many safety training classes throughout the year.  Topics include OSHA 500, OSHA 10 Hour, Confined Space, Trenching and Excavation, and many more.  Construction workers, managers and supervisors are informed of the latest safe operating procedures.

The Safety Director oversees a team of safety advisors that is available to consult with contractors to develop their safety policies, procedures and programs. Site safety audits are also available.

Look at the Calendar or CAF Flyers page for upcoming classes and seminars.  You may also register online!!

 

UNITE

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - The ability of the union construction industry to deliver quality construction at a fair cost is determined, in part, by the skill of trade craftsmen. These craftsmen must be highly educated, fully skilled and positively motivated.

CAF's Construction Industry School-to-Work Program is supported by the Labor Management Cooperative Trust and a School-to-Work grant. It is another valuable tool.

A full-time Program Director develops numerous School-to-Career programs open to students as early as elementary grades. The Director also works with teachers, counselors and other school administrators to promote career opportunities in the building trades, and coordinates these efforts with area apprenticeship schools and contractors.