Author: Jeanie Clapp

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…

Fourth graders in South Dakota tell motorists to slow down Each April, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) brings attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones. To collaborate with this event the AGC of South Dakota (AGC of SD) conducts a statewide billboard coloring contest, featuring the artwork and work zone safety messages created by South Dakota fourth grade students. “We have been partnering with schools across the state for the past 11 years and have found students are very creative and have great ideas for safety messages,” said Lindsay Willits, deputy executive vice president…

Understanding and Reversing the Trend BY KEYAN ZANDYChief Executive OfficerSkiles Group, a TEXO Member The construction industry is making great strides by evolving the delivery of work and incorporating new technologies, but there is still much room for improvement. It’s no secret that one of our biggest challenges is the labor shortage. Our entire industry needs more people — and we especially need more craftspeople in the trades. The impact of this one issue has a ripple effect across all projects. It means longer construction timelines and overtime for many projects. It’s not ideal for owners, firms or workers —…

Contractor publishes illustrated children’s book to spur interest in construction BY NICK FORTUNA Something happens between the toddler years, when kids push dump trucks and stack building blocks on the living-room floor, and the teenage years, when ambitious high-school students worry about their class rank, convinced that an expensive college degree is their only path to success. Whether it’s through parents, teachers, media or other influencers, kids get the message that construction is an “alternative path,” a backup option in case they can’t hack it in college, said Chris Eccleston, owner of Salisbury, Md.-based Delmarva Veteran Builders. Over time, that…

San Antonio AGC is celebrating its centennial year, and the chapter is excited to introduce its all- woman team: President Lauren Mandel, Education and Membership Manager Jennifer Munoz and Events and Marketing Communications Coordinator Alexandria Ballew. According to AGC of America, women make up only 11% of the overall construction workforce, with only 4% in professional craft positions, so the chapter is incredibly proud to be boosting those numbers! As an all-female staff, San Antonio AGC hopes to offer a platform for women in construction and honor their contributions, additionally, with an incoming chair. Despite Lauren and Alexandria both joining…