Supporters

The Guam Contractors Association, and its members, was the driving force behind the establishment of the GCA Trades Academy. GCA hired the Education Director, provided office space from which to operate, and provided the Trades Academy’s first classroom. In the first 2½ years of the Trades Academy’s existence, GCA contributed over $200,000 in cash, resources, & floor space.

AmOrient Contracting was the first GCA member organization to step forward with startup capital for the GCA Trades Academy. AmOrient Contracting issued a check to the Trades Academy in the amount of $10,000, as a no-interest, no-recourse loan. The proceeds of the loan were used to purchase books & teaching materials and hire instructors

Perez Bros Inc. was one of three GCA member organizations who initially provided the Trades Academy with startup capital. Perez Bros Inc. provided a no-interest, no-recourse loan in the amount of $10,000. The proceeds of the loan were used to purchase books & teaching materials and hire instructors for the first GCA Trades Academy classes.

Watts Constructors was one of three GCA member organizations who initially provided the GCA Trades Academy fund to startup the organization. Watts Constructors generously provided a $10,000 no-interest, no-recourse loan. The proceeds of the loan were used to purchase books & teaching materials and hire instructors for the first GCA Trades Academy classes.

Citi Foundation provided a generous grant of $30,000 to fund scholarships to the GCA Trades Academy. Twelve GCA Trades Academy students were each awarded Citi Foundation scholarships in the amount of $2,500.

Leighton Contractors Guam provided a $10,000 grant to the GCA Trades Academy. The grant was used to fund the renovation of a vacant warehouse and create the Trades Academy’s Barrigada Training Facility. The renovation cost of the Barrigada Training Facility exceeded $250,000.

The Rotary Club of Guam provided generous grants totaling $30,000 to fund scholarships to the GCA Trades Academy students.

Hawaiian Rock Products provided a $10,000 grant to the GCA Trades Academy. The grant was used to fund the renovation of the Trades Academy’s Barrigada Training Facility. The renovation costs exceeded $250,000. Additionally, Hawaiian Rock Products provided over $12,000 in concrete and concrete products used in the renovation in exchange for the tuition costs of Hawaiian Rock Products employees in future Trades Academy classes.

First Hawaiian Bank provided a $10,000 grant to the GCA Trades Academy to fund the renovation of a vacant warehouse and create the Trades Academy’s Barrigada Training Facility. The renovation cost exceeded $250,000 with First Hawaiian Bank providing the credit arrangements used to finance the renovation. Additionally, in 2011 First Hawaiian Bank donated $18,440 to fund scholarships for GCA Trades Academy students.

Smithbridge Guam has generously agreed to offset the air freight cost of shipping textbooks and provide logistical services. To date, Smithbridge has contributed over $6,000.

The Pacific Daily News initiated a partnership with the GCA Trades Academy to publish as the Trades, a magazine that promotes construction trades training and local careers in construction. Since March 2008, Trades has been published monthly and circulated as an insert in the Pacific Daily News at no cost to the GCA Trades Academy.

The Guam Chamber of Commerce contributed $15,000 to fund an apprenticeship scholarship program at the GCA Trades Academy. Five scholarships of $3,000 each were established for indentured apprentices attending the GCA Trades Academy.

The Bank of Hawaii Foundation provided a $5,000 grant to the GCA Trades Academy. The grant was used to equip the Trades Academy’s Barrigada Training Facility with electrical tools of the trade. Additionally, in 2011 the Bank of Hawaii Foundation donated $25,000 to fund craft training scholarships for GCA Trades Academy students.

DCK / Bishman Continental Services provided a generous contribution of over $75,000 in in-kind services and materials during the renovation of Barrigada building. DCK / Bishman Continental Services installed all the plumbing, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment in the Barrigada Training Facility.

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., the parent company of Matson Navigation Company, donated $5,000 to the GCA Trades Academy to purchase equipment for use in the electrical training program. Alan Manibusan, an electrician journeyman at Matson Navigation, was the first apprentice to complete his apprenticeship program using GCA Trades Academy classes.