We are pleased to let you know that the next DMCC Annual Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, June 18^th from 3:00-5:30PM. The meeting will be held at the Master Builders of Iowa headquarters (ELEVATE Business and Events Center) at 4100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA. 

DMCC members and all signatory contractors in Central Iowa are invited to attend. Due to rescheduling last month’s quarterly meeting, we are pleased that newly elected Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen will join us for a meet and greet. 

PLEASE RSVP BY CLICKING HERE

As many DMCC members know, discussions with signatory trades will begin this month. You are encouraged to review those contract expiration dates on our website here: https://www.dmcc.build/contract-expiration-dates. Additionally, by attending our quarterly meeting in June, you’ll get a full recap of those negotiations.

We’re pleased to report that the Built By Pro’s Central Iowa website has launched! Already, this website has led to four different individuals who have expressed interest in joining the trades, who we have referred to different contractors and union halls. In addition, our marketing campaign is active and going to continue promoting a career in the trades, specifically at the upcoming Build My Future events. We have stickers and swag being distributed as well. If you have any questions on Built By Pro’s, please reach out to Amanda Wendling at awendling@grit-capital.com.      

We’re excited to inform the DMCC membership that our trades-based math curriculum has continued to expand across the Des Moines metro. In addition to offering the class at Des Moines Public Schools, Saydel and Bondurant are both now offering the curriculum and we have had discussions with Southeast Polk, PCM and Webster City school districts. Webster City may pose a challenge because of the proximity to the union halls fulfilling the field trip portion, but we will have more discussions. Here is a quick report of each school district that has expressed interest. 

Des Moines Public Schools: several sections offered across 5 high schools in 2023/2024. For 2024/2025, the district is offering the course as an elective for juniors and potentially offering to any level by 2025/2026 including middle school. Semester 1 had 427 students enrolled with an average attendance of 64.7%, giving 279 students credit for passing the class. Semester 2 has 401 students enrolled but do not have final numbers as we are in the middle of the semester. As a comparison, that attendance number is slightly higher than overall attendance. 

Saydel: one section was offered for 2023/2024 as a math credit. Two sections will be offered in 2024/2025 as a math credit.

Bondurant: being implemented as a math credit in 2024/2025.

Southeast Polk: looking at providing this as a perquisite to a pre-apprenticeship program in 2025/2026. 

PCM: will not be offering, because they already offer a trades-based math course as a DMACC credit.

Webster City: initial discussions have been had. 

Lastly, the teachers at DMPS have requested contractors assist students with the end of the year projects that they will be completing soon. We do not have specific dates and times, but if you or your employees are interested in helping these students, please email Ben Hammes at bhammes@mbi.build so he can coordinate.