Cathy Chatfield-Taylor, Autodesk

The construction business gets a bad rap for not being diverse enough. True, the sector may lag behind other industries, but construction companies are beginning to foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce—and earn the returns.

Sebastian Obando, Construction Dive

Diversity programs, an equity index and increased recruitment efforts are among the tools that transportation agencies and other groups are using to improve diversity in the infrastructure workforce. 

Scot Bennett, Construction Executive

The AEC industry, particularly construction, is suffering from a severe shortage of available staff. As companies struggle to fill salaried and skilled labor positions at all levels in the industry, those leaving the construction workforce are not being replaced at near the same rate.

The first pre-apprenticeship class for Cleveland Builds met Tuesday, July 13th with 31 participants. Shawn Gray, Jason Shank and Plumbers Local 55 are hosting the classes. 

Cleveland Builds' co-chairs, Tim Linville and Dave Wondolowski and executive director, Keith Laschinger, were present to welcome participants to the class on its first night. 

Sebastian Obando, Construction Dive

The high median age of construction workers is just one of the contributing factors to the workforce shortages in the industry. But the issue is not necessarily unique to construction, as there is an aging overall workforce due to national demographics. 

AGC

Construction employment declined by 7,000 between May and June as the industry still employs 238,000 fewer people than before the pandemic, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released on July 2, 2021.

The News-Herald

Glen Shumate, Executive Vice President, Construction Employers Association (CEA) and founder/executive director of Construction Assistance Association (CAA) is a 2021 ODOT Director's Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy.

ENR

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - On June 4 Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced new initiatives aimed at training people for good paying jobs in the building trades, while focusing on minorities.

AGC

Construction employment declined for the third time in the past four months in May as nonresidential contractors coped with lengthening and unpredictable delivery times that limited their ability to start or complete projects, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released on June 4, 2021.