COASTAL BEND BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
OWNERS & CONTRACTORS WORKING TOGETHER
to achieve cost effectiveness by improving quality, safety, and productivity
The COASTAL BEND BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE (CBBR) provides a forum to promote efficiency and
improvements among construction users and contractors throughout
the 15 county Coastal Bend Area. The scope includes improved
productivity, construction management, work practices, safety,
manpower, training, and others items of interest to the
construction user and contractor.
The CBBR is currently comprised of 18 Owner
companies, 60 Subscriber / Associate Members, and 7 non-dues
paying affiliated associations. The focus of the organization is
to address industry-wide issues and pursue those activities that
meet member's common needs. These include industry specific
activities and involvement in community activities that impact
industry or are of interest to members. The following are some of
CBBR's ongoing programs and activities:
MANPOWER FORECASTS:
Updated every six months to provide a projection of local work
force requirements for the next 18 months. Owner organizations
from Mobile, Alabama to Corpus Christi, TX are cooperating to
build a manpower projection database to chart projections for the
entire Gulf Coast.
WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE: This effort was started in 1996 to bring the
industry together to define and work on issues surrounding the
availability, quality, recruitment, training and retention of
craft workers. The Task Force is taking an active leadership role
to work with Contractor associations and area schools to develop
programs that enhance the image of the construction industry,
it's accomplishments and contributions to the community and to
promote the industry and crafts as a rewarding career.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE: Formed in 1994 to bring project management related
training and the results of research conducted by the
Construction Industry Institute (CII) to the local area at an
affordable cost. In 1997 a similar Task Force was formed in the
Upper Coastal Bend (Victoria, Port Lavaca, Point Comfort) area.
The Corpus Christi PMTF is sponsoring the creation of a local
Project Management Institute (PMI) chapter which will bring PMI
certification training opportunities to the area.
MAINTENANCE TASK FORCE: Maintenance Managers in the greater Corpus Christi
area meet monthly to discuss a wide range of maintenance related
issues. They have implemented the craft skills assessment
program. They are currently addressing a program for third party
contractor audits and developing a maintenance best practices /
lessons learned database.
CBBR MONTHLY MEETINGS: Two monthly meetings each month provide the
opportunity to keep abreast of current issues and a networking
opportunity for owner and contractor representatives. The Corpus
Christi meeting averages 55 attendees representing 32 companies
and the Upper Coastal Bend meeting averages 30 attendees
representing 25 companies. Owner companies select and present the
monthly program ensuring the content of the program is industry
specific and of current interest.
CRAFT TRAINING, SKILL ASSESSMENT &
UPGRADE TRAINING: Significant effort
is expended in promoting industry's need for a skilled work
force. This includes continuous coordination with local craft
training programs, local educational institutions, regional and
national owner and contractor organizations and the sharing of
information learned. Craft skill assessments and skills upgrade
training is promoted as an expansion of basic craft training
programs to make a comprehensive craft training process.
CBBR TRAINING PROGRAMS / SEMINARS: Objective is to identify common training needs that
are outside the purview of the craft training programs and safety
councils and provide these training opportunities in a
cost-effective manner. The system of taking a few people from
several companies and building classes has been very successful
and has resulted in significant savings to members. *
*The greatest measure of this success is
that the program has virtually met the bulk of mandated training
requirements for the local work force in some areas; i.e.
Excavation Safety & Scaffolding competent person. When CBBR
started coordinating this training in 1991, 50 to 60 people
attended class once or twice a month. Now the demand is for a
class of 15 to 20 three to four times a year.
The goal of the CBBR training program is to
provide a cost-effective means to meet the common training needs
of members in a wide range of subjects not covered by other local
programs.
CBBR FUNDING: Membership dues, contributions, training revenues, and fundraisers (such as the annual Golf Tournaments in Corpus Christi and Victoria), fund the above mentioned COASTAL BEND BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE programs.
Coastal Bend Business Roundtable
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(512) 884-4164
Fax (512) 884-8508