ICC's HSTTP receives enthusiastic reception in Pennsylvania.

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PBA WDEC endorse ICC HSTTP A year ago, the International Code Council (ICC) High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP) received an invitation to provide a presentation outlining the operation of the HSTTP at the state meeting of the Pennsylvania Builders Association's (PBA) Workforce Development and Education Committee (WDEC) at its annual meeting in Hershey, Pa. This invitation came about due to Amy Martino, AIA, and principal of Building Site Synergy attending an ICC Government Relations Forum presentation of the HSTTP. Martino spoke with ICC HSTTP Consultant and Liaison Jim Ellwood after the presentation and was impressed with the concept of teaching the codes to the technology school students. Martino suggested to the PBA's WDEC that they consider reviewing the HSTTP as an approved curriculum to be recommended to schools participating in the PBA's Endorsed Trade Program (ETP). The ETP was established through donations and volunteer efforts from the membership of PBA, to develop and offer technical school students the opportunity to learn real-life situations in the construction industry and increase their knowledge of what is required to become a construction professional. At this years meeting in Hershey, the discussion started again with committee chairman Chris Warren, a building contractor and the Building Construction Technology Instructor at State College Area High School North, evoking interest and generating discussion. Warren Peter, previous chairman of the committee and past PBA President, introduced a motion seconded by Martino, that the Workforce Training and Education Committee should recommend to the schools participation in the PBA's Endorsed Trade Program consider participation in the ICC HSTTP. The motion passed unanimously. The Code Council would like to thank Chris Warren, Warren Peter and Amy Martino for all of their efforts and support to provide the future construction professionals the tools necessary to have a successful and prosperous career in the construction industry. Visit the ICC High School Technical Training Program for additional information, or contact Jim Ellwood.

PENNBOC moves quickly Recently, Pennsylvania Building Officials Conference (PENNBOC) member and Building Code Director at Swartar Township Samantha Everett reached out to her post high school technology school Thaddeus Stevens in Lancaster, Pa., to initiate discussion regarding code-relevant training, specifically the International Code Council's High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP), which has expanded into the post secondary arena. Within three hours, Samantha received a response to her email, and she was totally shocked by this fast and positive response. Everett reached out to PENNBOC for help. PENNBOC Administrator Gil Longwell had met ICC HSTTP Consultant and Liaison Jim Ellwood several times and heard Ellwood speak about the program. Longwell reached out to Ellwood for information on formulating a plan for a presentation, and explained that PENNBOC would take the lead to provide the personnel touch within the Pennsylvania communities, using local code officials as contacts and mentors to their schools and Ellwood for information. After several emails over the preceding days, Everett had arranged a meeting with Dr. Nye, Ph.D, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Laurie Grove, Director of Career Services. Representing PENNBOC would be Samantha Everett; Gil Longwell; John Eby (Building & Zoning Coordinator, Lower Allen Township), who had worked with Ellwood in December 2014 to successfully have the Pennsylvania College of Technology join the HSTTP; and Bill Coulson (Building Code Official/Commercial Building Inspector, Boilings Spring, Pa., and Region V president). The meeting was set for Dec. 15, 2015. To say it was a success would be an understatement; to say PENNBOC found a new education partner and Everett found her alma mater was very interested in having her tell students about her career and success would be a just and accurate statement. The following is a summary of the meeting from Longwell to Dr. Nye and Grove: "Thank you for your hospitality and for including us in your schedule earlier today. Sam, Jim, John, Bill and I were encouraged by your level of interest and decisive action to maximize the ICC's program's exposure to your faculty. PENNBOC brought its key players to the table in order to demonstrate both our capabilities and our commitment to this partnership. We have begun brainstorming to hone our presentation on Presidents' Day. To be sure, Sam was the spark plug for this collaboration with her dual, yet united, loyalties to both Thaddeus Stevens and PENNBOC. You are welcome to contact any of our participants directly as you deem appropriate. If you are uncertain which PENNBOC volunteer leader is best suited to be responsive, please feel free to use me as your point of contact. Jim, on the other hand, is the go-to guy for the ICC side of things." With the past year's events, PENNBOC and the PBA have set a level of commitment to educate the future construction professionals.