There’s an old quote that says, “The historian is a prophet looking backwards.”

Tagged with: John Mielke prevailing wage WisDOT

For recent high-school graduates, individuals interested in changing professions and those seeking a second chance at the American dream, there is no better time to join the construction industry.

Tagged with: apprenticeships Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin John Mielke training

A recent letter to the editor from John Mielke of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin made the argument that Gov. Scott Walker has been the biggest cheerleader for apprenticeship throughout Wisconsin, and he closes his piece by claiming “we should not distort reality.”

Tagged with: apprenticeships Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin Dave Branson Gov. Scott Walker job training John Mielke Wisconsin Building Trades Council

Last month, Associated Builders & Contractors held one of Wisconsin’s first-ever “Apprenticeship Signing Days,” replicating signing-day events that are held for high-performing student athletes recruited into four-year universities to play sports.

Tagged with: apprenticeships Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin Dave Branson Gov. Scott Walker John Mielke Wisconsin Building Trades Council Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

On Labor Day, we honor the men and women who build our cities, villages and towns. From roads to bridges, schools and municipal buildings, Wisconsin’s construction industry has contributed to our local development, advancement and strength for decades.

Tagged with: Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin John Mielke

With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Scott Walker gave his approval to legislation preventing more than one journeyman from ever being needed to oversee the work of an apprentice entering the trades.

Tagged with: apprenticeship Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker John Mielke

Americans are ready to rebuild our neglected infrastructure – schools, highways, bridges, dams, public transit – but we also can’t neglect the biggest need ahead of us.

Tagged with: Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin Inc. John Mielke Labor Shortage

Remember the infamous scene in the movie “Jaws” when Roy Scheider’s character, Martin Brody, catches his first glimpse of the size of the great white shark? He shockingly utters one of the film’s best lines to the grizzled captain played by Robert Shaw: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

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A proposal to let the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and local governments use project-delivery methods other than design-bid-build has given rise to an unusual alignment between two groups that are otherwise usually at odds with each other.

Tagged with: Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin design-build International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 John Mielke Terry McGowan Wisconsin Department of Transportation

In a recent opinion piece by the labor official Dave Branson supporting the use of PLAs, Mr. Branson incorrectly described the legislation being offered by state Rep. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, as “prohibiting the use of project labor agreements on taxpayer funded projects.”

Tagged with: John Mielke letter to the editor