Author: Jeanie Clapp

What’s the outlook in the coming election year? Positive? Negative? AGC’s chief economist and a host of other industry professionals are choosing from both columns of the menu. BY AMY DREW THOMPSON Overall, says Ken Simonson, chief economist for AGC of America, the industry forecast in the coming year is positive. This is the industry temperature, as results of the association’s annual business outlook survey are being examined. But industry pros we spoke with feel similarly, even if their optimism is tempered by a bit of cautiousness. Maintenance of the numbers, says Krysta Van Ranst, is what most of her…

By Jason Hannold, Head of Construction, Senior Account ManagerPivot Onsite Innovations, a member of General Building Contractors Association Safety has long been a bedrock of the construction industry, but it still remains a dangerous one with deaths only decreasing by 2.2% from 2020 to 2021, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The reality is: a construction worker’s health has a direct impact on their performance, and poor health can lead to deadly mistakes. In recent years, the definition of safety in construction has evolved to encompass more than personal protective equipment and signage. Today, it includes the health and…

… but it’s also quite reliable. unCommon Construction’s apprentice program has helped more than 300 students build 15 houses (and earn a collective $350k for their efforts) while building myriad hard and soft skills – and the confidence to bring them straight to the jobsite. BY A.D. THOMPSON Workforce development and retention woes are a hot topic these days. In fact – and we can pause here for what are likely the collective eye rolls of innumerable AGC members – workforce development and retention woes have been relevant for at least a decade. Programs by the scads, we’ve reported on…

According to a report released in September by Procore Technologies, Inc. and AGC of America, 78% of civil and infrastructure construction firms expect their project backlog to increase or remain the same over the next year as new federal infrastructure funding ramps up. The report, Top Civil & Infrastructure Trends: Today’s Industry Challenges and Opportunities, found that many firms are worried that labor shortages and productivity challenges could undermine their success with these projects. “With increased backlogs prompted by once-in-a-generation government investment in the U.S. and Canada, civil and infrastructure organizations are on the precipice of historic projects across North…

The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio learn about career paths in STEM BY ALYSSA DIGANGI Historically, the path for ambitious young girls with a desire to change the world has been one filled with closed doors and stifled opportunity — for too long, bright young minds have been pushed away from the STEM field simply because of traditional, societal expectations. On May 9, 2023, Stronghold Engineering, an AGC of California and San Diego Chapter member, invited the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio to tour their facility, to learn about the exciting possibilities of STEM — and to be inspired. The…

2023 Workforce Survey shows nation is failing to prepare young people for construction careers BY NICK FORTUNA Construction workers have always taken pride in the demanding nature of the job, which requires skill, knowledge, teamwork, work ethic, strength, stamina and a willingness to sweat. But these days, the hardest-working person at most construction firms is more likely to be wearing office attire than a hardhat and work boots. Recruiters at construction firms just might have the most difficult jobs in their companies, working to counter stereotypes about the industry and to spread the word about the rewarding, high-paying jobs available…

BY KEYAN ZANDY, CEO, SKILES GROUP, A TEXO MEMBER Effective, respectful conflict management is an art — especially in an industry as stressful as ours. Conflict is often uncomfortable, so actively avoiding it can be an appealing solution. While this tactic may be more comfortable in the heat of the moment, it only leads to unexpressed frustrations, unmet needs and superficial harmony. In contrast, going too far in the opposite direction can create a damaging and toxic team culture. (Anyone who has seen a hard hat thrown across a trailer knows what I mean.) So where is the sweet spot?…

It doesn’t have to be guesswork BY NICOLE NEEDLES Think about everything that goes into creating a building or structure: the planning, labor forces, skills and resources. There is an immense amount of moving parts to see a project through to completion. Adding sustainability and eco-consciousness to the mix can feel overwhelming. Luckily, it’s getting more common for contractors to consider sustainable alternatives for a lot of common practices and procedures. Even though it may take some leg work, culture change and an upfront cost, there are more resources out there than ever to help make positive environmental impacts on…

2023 Construction Working Minds Summit awards change makers, establishes opportunities for meaningful progress in mental health and suicide prevention BY CHRISTINE PREUSLER As the world wakes up to the importance of mental health in all walks of life, alarming statistics highlight the need for immediate action in the construction industry. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates in the U.S. construction industry are among the highest at 53.2 suicides per 100,000 workers — a figure four times greater than the national average. Several factors inherent in construction work exacerbate mental health issues. For example, physically…

BY KEN GARCIA For decades, the construction of buildings involved sketches on paper. It was a visual representation of what a building will look like through the construction process. It showed where plumbing and electrical will be located and, for example, where the meeting room will be. It was up to the construction crew to build based on those drawings and instructions. That same process continues to be followed to this day. But technology is undoubtedly making it much easier to visualize what the final building will look like once the final brick is laid. A popular method that continues…