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• 05/11/2005

CSLB Press Release - 05/11/2005

Contractors State License Board Awards CSU Sacramento a Construction Management Education Grant

$22,000 will go towards educating tomorrow's industry leaders

SACRAMENTO — California State University Sacramento (Sacramento State) is the among the first of six California institutions to receive the first-ever grants from a sponsorship fund created to help meet the demand for highly educated and trained construction managers. Matt Kelly, a member of the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) made the presentation of a check for $22,000 at an event held today on the University campus.
The grant comes from the Construction Management Education Sponsorship Act (CMESA) that was established in 1991. Current contractors renewing their license contributed most of the money to the fund (91%). The remaining 9% came from newly licensed contractors.

"We applaud the industry for recognizing the importance of investing in their future," said Steve Sands, CSLB Registrar. "With the construction industry booming, there's a real need for new managers." For example, Construction Management graduates Sacramento State receive an average of two job offers apiece, with starting salaries ranging from $45,000-$70,000 per year. It's estimated that the industry will be looking to hire triple the number of construction management graduates than are currently enrolled in the state.

The goal of the CMESA is to maintain and increase the caliber and availability of educational programs for the construction industry. Funds generated by the CMESA go towards accredited construction management programs and facilities in California colleges and universities. Qualifying construction programs must lead to a bachelor degree and be accredited by the American Council for Construction Education, or place at least 50% of their graduates with California Licensed contractors.

Keith Bishart, Coordinator of the University's Construction Management Program, was involved in the legislation to create the Construction Management Education Sponsorship Act. ";Construction management requires a wide scope of knowledge because so many individuals, skills, and complex details are involved in each project. We give our students an edge by including a minor in business," said Bisharat. "Resource demands are unique also. We're fortunate to be involved with a proactive, 'can-do' industry that has taken such an important step with support of the Construction Management Act."

When the fund first started in 1991 contributions were limited to $25. In 2003, the State Legislature removed that limit. Now, Contractors or anyone else can contribute any amount they choose. Also, in 2003, the CMESA Account had grown enough to allow the first grant awards. The Construction Management Education Act Advisory Committee (CMEAAC) voted to expend the maximum $250,000 in fiscal year 2004-05 and another $250,000 in fiscal year 2005-06, in the amount of $1,000 per student. Applications were received from six state universities. Last November, the CMEAAC voted to award the following grants:

2005 Grant Awards
California State University Chico	$67,000
California State University Sacramento	$22,000
California State University Fresno	$40,000
California State University Long Beach	$31,000
California Polytechnic University Pomona	$20,000
California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo	$48,000
Total Grant Amount	$228,000

The Contractors State License Board, which operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, licenses 280,000 contractors in the State and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors every year. More information about the Contractors Board is available at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).