Author: Jeanie Clapp

How Ryan Companies is elevating future builders As labor shortages and a widening skills gap continue to affect the construction industry, data from a recent AGC of America workforce survey, done in partnership with NCCER, show that nearly four out of five contractors currently have one or more unfilled craft positions and two-thirds have at least one unfilled salaried positions on the books. However, one construction firm has found a creative and effective way to address both issues at once: pairing seasoned superintendents with younger colleagues who are learning the ropes. Adopting this approach has allowed Ryan Companies, a member…

The evolution of head protection in the workplace BY SCOTT GREENHAUS In the realm of occupational safety, head protection has come a long way from its beginnings as a simple hard hat. The transition from hard hats to helmets represents a remarkable evolution in the goal to keep workers safe in a wide range of industries. From early designs to modern innovations, the progression of head protection underscores its critical role in keeping construction workers safe. Birth of the Hard Hat Hard hats made from leather, canvas or steel first made their appearance in the early 20th century. The first…

Helix Electric hosts immersive training experience for interns BY NICK FORTUNA It’s a three-day trip to sunny San Diego with all expenses paid, but for the new interns at Helix Electric, it’s anything but a vacation. Each summer, Helix Electric, a member of multiple AGC chapters, hosts first-year interns at its corporate headquarters for an immersive learning experience aimed at introducing them to careers in electrical contracting. This past June, about two dozen college students, fresh from the spring semester, showed up for Intern Foundations Training, which includes hands-on technical training, mentorship from executives and team-building activities. In a classroom…

How innovation and infrastructure are reshaping airport construction BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT As air travel rebounds with full force, so does the demand for smarter, more sustainable and passenger-friendly airport terminals. Leading this charge is Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — a $2.4 billion, multiphase redevelopment project that’s not just raising the bar but rewriting the playbook. Hensel Phelps was one of the general contractors on the project, and Rosendin Electric was the technology systems design-builder and systems integrator. The project is notable not only for its size and complexity but for its groundbreaking results. The…

How SOTF empowers America’s elite veterans to strengthen the construction workforce BY ELSBETH RUSSELL When U.S. Army veteran Gareth Gorman made the leap from a decorated military career into civilian life, he knew the transition wouldn’t be easy. What he didn’t expect was that the organization guiding him through that transformation — the Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF) — would eventually become his new professional home. A 21-year retired Green Beret, Gorman went through the program as a fellow before becoming SOTF’s partner engagement specialist and working to engage with potential donors. Gorman’s story is emblematic of what makes SOTF…

A detailed reality capture dataset serves as a common language, bridging gaps in perception and understanding among diverse project teams. By Bryan Williams, TrimbleAn AGC of America Capstone Supporter In today’s environment of rising costs and shrinking margins, efficiently managing and coordinating critical activities and data within complex construction projects is a major challenge. The adoption of automated tools and digital workflows to create a precise 3D representation of the project can help. This shared visual and data-driven narrative is essential in aligning everyone’s efforts toward a common goal, thereby enhancing collective efficiency and reducing conflicts and rework. With scan…

Kiewit’s Michael Svoboda wins inaugural  Bowen Prize for Great Builders BY NICK FORTUNA Bob Bowen was looking at a museum exhibit recognizing doctors who had won the Nobel Prize for medicine when a thought occurred to him. For all the construction industry’s rich history and accomplishments, it lacked a signature award honoring its most talented and dedicated boots-on-the-ground leaders – the project managers who shepherd large projects from start to finish. Driven by a desire to give back to the industry, Bowen worked with the AGC Education & Research Foundation to establish the Bowen Prize for Great Builders. The annual…

Skanska won big at the Build America Awards, its years-long Lynnwood Link L300 Extension taking home the grand award. But, says its project executive, it was the faces behind the impressive facts and figures, those who prioritized the community that would benefit, who made it all possible. BY AMY DREW THOMPSON The adjectives and modifiers and numbers, come fast and furious as one tries to summarize the grand award-winner at this year’s Build America Awards, sponsored by The Baldwin Group: the Lynnwood Link L300 Extension. It is a dual-track light rail project, nearly 3.8 miles long, that meanders through three…

Hensel Phelps wins the safety grand prize for the second time BY JENNIFER KLING As AGC members know, the construction industry is among the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,283 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2023. Among those reported, construction had the most among all other industry sectors with 1,075 fatalities. To help address this recurring issue, AGC of America, WTW | Willis and Starr Insurance have made a concerted effort to annually recognize construction companies that go above and beyond to keep their employees…

BY ANNE HUNT, DIRECTOR OF DATA & ANALYTICS, TRIMBLE Technology has transformed construction accounting practices, streamlining processes that were once time-consuming and error-prone and helping companies navigate tight profit margins amid economic and market uncertainties. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, construction businesses have a tremendous opportunity to unlock new levels of efficiency and automation. Despite concerns that AI will replace humans, the reality is that those who use AI will replace those who don’t. The technology is more accessible than ever, making now the time to lean into it. Understanding the Fundamentals of AI AI…