[Back to List View] As seen in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch January 28, 2001 PRIDE of St. Louis showcases careers New recruitment manual focuses on careers in construction PRIDE of St. Louis, Inc. is laying the groundwork for future economic growth here with a new construction career manual highlighting career opportunities for skilled construction workers and local training programs. PRIDE's new Careers in Construction manual describes entry-level requirements, training programs and work performed by members of 20 AFL-CIO building trades. PRIDE - which stands for Productivity and Responsibility Increase Development and Employment - is the nation's first and oldest voluntary construction labor-management organization in the country. "No industry has had a greater impact on the growth of our nation that construction," said Ed Abbett, executive director of PRIDE. "Construction industry members who built the last century are aging. Our Careers in Construction manual outlines the immense career opportunities for the next generation of workers to build our future in this new century." The construction careers detailed in the manual include: Boilermaker Bricklayer Carpenter Cement Mason Construction Craft Laborer Electrician Elevator Constructor Floorlayer Glazier Insulator and Asbestos Worker Iron Worker Operating Engineer Painter, Wallpaper Hanger and Drywall Finisher Pipefitter Plasterer Plumber Roofer Sheet Metal Worker Teamster Tile Setter The PRIDE career manual is available to parents, high school counselors, high school students and others interested in learning more about construction careers. It also will be distributed at middle and high school career fairs by union training directors and construction trade associations. Copies of the free manual may be obtained by calling the Construction Industry Training School at 314-644-1525. According to the St. Louis Regional Commerce & Growth Association (RCGA), construction dollar volume for the first 11 months of 2000 exceeded $2.9 billion. The construction industry employs more than 72,000 people in the St. Louis metro area. Established in 1972, PRIDE has worked to maintain harmony and build cooperation among the key players in the St. Louis building industry. The organization promotes construction productivity, cost-effective construction, safe job sites, and workforce training and development. Its members include AFL-CIO construction unions, contractor organizations, owners, architects, engineers, suppliers and developers.