Kevin Hilton, CEO of the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), was unanimously elected to a two-year, renewable term on the ACE Mentor Program’s Leadership Board at the ACE National Board Meeting October 23 in Washington.

“I am very excited to work closely with ACE and to help these talented students identify potential career paths in the construction industry,” said Hilton.  “My hope is that some of these young people will find rewarding careers in the ironworking industry and become union contractors.” 

IMPACT is an independent labor-management organization that works closely with Ironworker Contractors and Ironworkers themselves, and has been engaged since 2010 in a campaign to double market share.  One route to this goal is to increase ironworker contractor density through training and education programs.

The ACE program seeks to inspire at-risk youth to pursue careers in design and construction.   Some of these students, Hilton hopes, will choose to become contractors or developers—or even Ironworkers—when they enter the workforce. “I know that contractors are constantly looking for talented young people,” he said.  “The Iron Workers also provides challenging career alternatives.”

Apprentice Ironworkers can “earn while they learn,” by completing a rigorous three-year training program.  To apply, a high school diploma is required.  Each year, The Iron Workers invest more than $50 million into training and upgrading programs like the apprenticeship program.

Hilton continues IMPACT’s long-standing relationship with the ACE program, following in the footsteps of CEO Eric Waterman, who retired in March.

About IMPACT (www.impact-net.org):The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) is an independent labor-management partnership designed to create work opportunities in the North American ironworking industry.  Our primary mission is to provide a forum for Ironworkers and signatory contractors to discuss effective strategies to expand job opportunities through innovative labor-management cooperative programs.  IMPACT provides expertise in training, construction certifications, marketing, construction project tracking and bidding, insurance and Davis-Bacon compliance efforts.  IMPACT also administers a world-class substance abuse program to ensure that Ironworkers are safe, drug-free and ready to work.

About The ACE Mentor Program:  The ACE Mentor Program of America is an after-school mentoring program for high school students and seeks to truly change the lives of at-risk youth. The mission of ACE is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry.

ACE currently operates in 62 affiliates, covering 40 states and over 200 cities. With the guidance of more than 5,000 volunteer mentors, nearly 8,000 students participated in the program this year alone, 70 percent of whom are minorities and 40 percent are young women.  Over $12 million in scholarships has been awarded to ACE graduates across the country.

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Contact: Brennan Gamwell, Communications Manager, (800) 545-4921