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On the Level Magazine

On the Level Magazine

di Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley

The Trade School With NO Chairs: Inside the High-Tech Trade Revolution!

v Traditional high school isn't the only path to success—and this jaw-dropping transformation in the Hudson Valley proves it. In this deep-dive audio episode, we explore the incredible shift happening at the Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87 in Kingston, New York. Based on the insightful article “Built to Work: How Ulster BOCES is Shaping Tomorrow’s Trades” by CCA Executive Director Dan Depew, this discussion unpacks how a massive, 100,000-square-foot former IBM facility is completely dismantling outdated ideas of vocational education. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The 100,000 Sq. Ft. Transformation: How a massive industrial facility that sat dark for 36 years was reimagined into a modern educational powerhouse. The Psychology of Trust: Why this school threw out locked supply closets and replaced them with clear glass cabinets and high-tech, tracking Snap-on toolboxes. Why Chairs Are Banned: How keeping students on their feet completely cures classroom boredom while building the communication and troubleshooting skills employers look for. Aerospace-Level Engineering: A look inside the Gene Haas Lab, where teenagers are programming CNC machinery to tolerances thinner than a human hair. Redefining Success: How local students like Matt, James, and Cam are bypassing crushing college debt for fast-tracked, high-paying tech and trade careers. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: Key Construction Services LLC Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley

CCA Dinner Keynote Outlines Benefits of Project Labor Agreements

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are shaping the future of major public and private building developments. But what makes them such a vital tool for contractors, workers, and communities alike? In this audio feature from On The Level Magazine, we listen in on the CCA Annual Dinner Keynote delivered by Jeffrey M. Grabelsky of Cornell University. As a nationally recognized expert, Grabelsky delivers a comprehensive breakdown of how PLAs strengthen the $1 trillion U.S. construction industry, stabilize project timelines, and build a highly skilled workforce pipeline. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The Scale of the Industry: A look at the massive $1 trillion U.S. construction sector and the critical role collective bargaining plays in keeping it competitive. What Exactly is a PLA?: Understanding these project-specific, pre-hire collective bargaining agreements and how they establish uniform terms for complex jobs. The Core Benefits: How PLAs coordinate multiple trades, ensure accurate budgeting, increase job site safety, and include strict "no strike/no lockout" clauses to prevent costly delays. Debunking the Myths: An honest look at the most common criticisms surrounding PLAs—including costs, schedules, and union perceptions—and how advocates can confidently address them. Real-World Case Studies: Real examples of massive, successful PLA deployments across New York, including the Micron semiconductor project in Syracuse, IBM’s quantum computing facility in Poughkeepsie, and Amazon’s robotics distribution center in Orange County. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: Taylor Montgomery (Taylor-Montgomery.com) Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Sponsor Spotlight & Introduction 0:40 – Keynote Introduction: Jeffrey M. Grabelsky 1:15 – The Scale & Impact of the U.S. Construction Workforce 2:30 – Defining the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) 3:45 – Coordination, Efficiency, and Preventing Project Disruptions 5:00 – Addressing Common Criticisms and Objections 6:15 – Mega-Projects in Action: Micron, IBM, Amazon, and Walmart 7:30 – Closing Credits & Affiliates

SMACNA Issues are The Focus At Albany Lobby Day

When the sheet metal and construction industries get face-to-face with New York’s top lawmakers, major moves happen. In this audio feature from On The Level Magazine, we head to the State Capitol for Albany Lobby Day. Led by SMACNA Southeastern Executive Vice President Alan Seidman and a dedicated team of industry executives and contractors, this episode pulls back the curtain on the critical legislative battles happening right now to protect local businesses, workers, and schools. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The Fight for Clean Air in Schools: Why a crucial Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) amendment could soon force school districts to use certified HVAC professionals for safety assessments rather than untrained maintenance staff. Cracking Down on Construction Site Crime: How staged construction accidents are hurting contractor ratings and skyrocketing insurance costs—and the push to make this fraud a Class E felony. Navigating Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI): The specific changes union construction employers need to see in the current TDI bill before offering their full support. The Power of Direct Lobbying: How keeping the pressure on Albany lawmakers ensures the Hudson Valley construction sector isn't left behind. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: Taylor Montgomery (Taylor-Montgomery.com) Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Sponsor Spotlight & Introduction 0:40 – Inside Albany Lobby Day: The Mission 1:35 – Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Protecting NY Schools 2:50 – Stopping Staged Construction Site Accidents & Fraud 3:55 – The Real Impact of Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) 4:45 – Closing Credits & Affiliates

Old Chester School to Become Training Hub

A historic landmark in the Village of Chester is about to become the epicenter of advanced manufacturing in the Hudson Valley. In this audio feature from On The Level Magazine, we dive into Orange County’s strategic $1 purchase of the former Maple Avenue school and its upcoming transformation into a massive, multi-million-dollar workforce development hub. For local contractors, engineers, and construction professionals, this isn't just a story about historic preservation—it's a look at one of the most significant public construction opportunities hitting the region in years. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The $1 Strategic Asset: How Orange County saved a historic school building from becoming a dangerous eyesore and repurposed it for economic growth. The High-Tech Blueprint: Inside the plans for the new facility, including robotics laboratories, practice clean rooms, and advanced fabrication spaces. Global Industry Partnerships: How major players like Micron, HAAS, and BuildSubmarines are collaborating to create a direct regional workforce pipeline. Upcoming Bidding Opportunities: A massive heads-up for local trades! Why this project will soon trigger solicitations for masonry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, IT, and full interior buildouts. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: [INSERT SPONSOR NAME HERE] Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Sponsor Spotlight & Introduction 0:45 – The $1 Purchase & Historic Preservation 1:50 – O&S Associates & The Modern Conceptual Plans 3:05 – Modeling After the Haas Center & Global Partners 4:15 – Upcoming Bidding & Contracting Opportunities for Local Trades 5:30 – Closing Credits & Affiliates

Built to Work: How Ulster BOCES is Shaping Tomorrow’s Trades

Traditional high school isn't the only path to success—and the future of the Hudson Valley workforce is proving it. In this audio feature from On The Level Magazine, CCA Executive Director Dan Depew takes us inside the jaw-dropping transformation happening at the Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87 in Kingston. Once a dark IBM facility, this massive 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art center is now fueling the next generation of builders, makers, and innovators. If you think vocational schools are a thing of the past, this episode will completely change your perspective. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The Death of the Desk: Why standing on your feet and getting hands-on is crushing traditional classroom boredom for local students. Million-Dollar Tech: A look inside the Gene Haas Lab, high-tech welding, aviation, and smart toolboxes that look straight out of sci-fi. Real Student Success: Meet Matt, James, and Cam—local students turning their passion into first-place national titles and fast-tracked, high-paying careers. The Hudson Valley Boom: How Ulster BOCES is preparing a powerhouse workforce for massive regional projects like Micron and IBM. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: [INSERT SPONSOR NAME HERE] Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Sponsor Spotlight & Introduction 0:45 – Reimagining the Old IBM Facility (iPark 87) 1:50 – Hands-On Learning vs. Traditional Classrooms 3:10 – The Tech: CNC Labs & Precision Engineering 4:25 – Meet the Students Shaping Tomorrow 5:40 – Closing Credits & Affiliates

The Business of Building in Uncertain Times

The Hudson Valley construction market is booming, with a $300 million pipeline of demand, but projects are running headfirst into a "perfect storm" of obstacles. How can builders and developers possibly adapt to this extreme volatility?1 Greg Sousa from Orange Bank & Trust Company identifies the triple threat colliding in the industry: unprecedented financial discipline from high interest rates, a cost crisis driven by unstable materials and new regulations, and crippling shortages in specialized labor.1 In this exclusive breakdown, you will learn the exact, real-time strategies smart contractors are using—including new contingency budgets and the competitive advantage of AI—to stay profitable.

The Mindset That Wins in Every Market

Market shifts, rising interest rates, and compressing margins—if you're in construction, development, or real estate, you know the cycles are relentless. When the landscape changes quickly, most of the conversation centers around strategy. But according to executive leadership coach Anna Gibbs, strategy is only part of the equation. In this article, Gibbs unpacks the true differentiator for organizations that continue to move forward and win in every market: it’s how they think. She reveals the crucial mindset principles that allow top leaders to stay focused and make sound decisions when the environment is uncertain.

Project Planning Drives Airport Construction Success

In large construction projects, especially complex ones like airport expansions in the Hudson Valley, budget overruns are practically guaranteed. But who is really to blame? Many frequently point fingers at high labor costs or union wages.1 This deep dive into construction success challenges that common belief head-on. The true drivers of budget crises aren't the people doing the work, but deeply hidden flaws in the process itself. We're talking about deficiencies in planning, shockingly incomplete design documents, and coordination failures that can balloon a budget by 10 to 15 percent. Find out how focusing on the wrong metrics is sinking major projects, why outdated drawings are costing millions more than the original design error itself, and the cutting-edge project control tools that can finally stop the cycle of endless rework and inefficiency.

PLA Helps Power Ulster County's New Emergency Communications Center

Learn about Ulster County’s most significant public-safety investment in a generation: the new Emergency Communications Center in New Paltz. This state-of-the-art, highly resilient facility is consolidating the 911 Center (which handles over 130,000 calls annually) and the Emergency Operations Center, creating a centralized command hub for all major county incidents.1 County Executive Jen Metzger and the project team detail the $34.5 million project's ultra energy-efficient design, ballistic resistant features, and how its Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is keeping construction on track and on budget.