The Land Improvement Contractors of America (LICA) Educational Foundation for Veterans is currently under development; its mission is to train military veterans for work in the heavy construction industry. The Foundation’s Board of Directors includes experienced industry professionals from across the U.S. The organization will be headquartered in the same facility as the LICA national office in Lisle, Illinois.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a higher-than-average job growth of 10 percent for construction equipment operators through 2028. The Foundation seeks to help address this growing need for skilled labor within the construction industry while providing opportunities for military veterans seeking work.
The curriculum will involve in-class training sessions at regional campus locations. Participants will work on simulators to learn the basics of heavy equipment operation before moving to field training, which will be provided by LICA contractors, equipment dealers, and subcontractors. The coursework will also include training on policies and procedures for working on a job site; an introduction to global positioning systems (GPS) used in grading operations; safety, first aid, OSHA procedures, and interviewing skills.
Founder Jerry Biuso, Sr. says, “The goal is to establish a nationwide training program that will become a part of construction culture.” Biuso is also the CEO of the National LICA organization, adding, “My members come to me all the time and tell me they can’t get adequate help. It occurred to me that this was a good way to help vets get decent jobs and make a living. I have always wanted the opportunity to give back to our military heroes.” The Foundation will work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify candidates for the program.
Biuso seeks to raise funding for the project through federal grants and corporate sponsorships. A golf fundraiser is also scheduled for June 2022 in the Chicago area, details to be announced.
