Non-residential building permit fees will increase $1 per $1,000 on Oct. 1 as part of the Craft Training Act, passed by the Alabama legislature in 2015.
The Act – to be funded by the increased permit fees — will create a long-term, statewide, stable funding source to provide for flexible skills training to help meet the industry’s growing workforce needs. This act is truly transformational in the industry’s search to meet skilled labor needs and help to grow Alabama’s economy.
The program – overseen by a seven-member Board of Alabama contractors and owners — is administered by the Construction Division of the Alabama Finance Department. The Craft Training Board will oversee the money and provide grants for training providers throughout the state. Assistant Finance Director Katherine Lynn has provided support to implement the program.
The Craft Training Board is working now to have the program funded and running by mid-2017.
The Alabama AGC Craft Training Act is a natural extension of Alabama’s highly successful Go Build Alabama campaign. It provides for skills education while leaving in place the image enhancement and recruiting mission of the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute. The Craft Training Board has been given broad powers to develop grant procedures with the goal that skills training will be made available to entry-level workers who enter the industry as well as for current employees of contractors.
Contact Bill Caton at Alabama AGC – billc@alagc.org – with questions