ABC chairman’s message: Bristol Community College and Gould Construction Institute launch fall safety training programs in New Bedford

So much of our focus is on what happens in the Boston area, but our nearly 500 ABC Massachusetts members from all over the Commonwealth rely on access to high-quality, affordable training. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership between Bristol Community College and ABC’s fully licensed training affiliate, the Gould Construction Institute (GCI), to offer industry-recognized safety training programs at Bristol’s state-of-the-art facility in New Bedford.

Located at the college’s National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI), these new programs will expand professional training opportunities for construction, industrial, and skilled trades professionals seeking to enhance their workplace safety knowledge and exceed industry compliance requirements. Participants will benefit from hands-on, one-day training sessions designed to provide practical, industry-relevant skills.

Registration is now open for three Fall 2026 safety training programs. Courses are delivered by Gould Construction Institute and are designed to provide practical, job-site-focused instruction in a small classroom setting.

The partnership will launch with three industry safety training programs. First, Fall Protection Awareness, a six-hour OSHA-focused course covering fall protection requirements, safety systems, hazard prevention, and best practices for working at heights, launches on September 24.

Scaffold Awareness, an introductory safety training that provides participants with an understanding of scaffold components, hazard recognition, safe work practices, and regulatory requirements for scaffold use, begins on October 6. 

Finally, Signal Certification & Basic Rigging Safety, a hands-on course covering industry-standard hand and voice signals, rigging fundamentals, load safety procedures, and hazard prevention techniques for safe lifting operations, will launch November 4. All courses are completed on-site at NOWI in New Bedford and take approximately six-to-eight hours to complete. Registration for these courses is at www.gwgci.org/training/safety/.

Demand for construction services continues to rise in Massachusetts and across the country. Meeting that demand and ensuring the safety of our workforce inspire our goals to deepen training offerings wherever our employees live and work. 

Luiza Mills is the chairman of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Mass. Chapter and is a senior vice president at Interstate Electrical Services Corp., North Billerica, Mass.