The construction industry has experienced some very significant and sudden changes during the past few months that have led to dramatic changes in demand for work and the need for new workers. We need to understand exactly how those changes are impacting the industry’s current workforce needs to be better able to advocate for measures to help the industry’s labor needs in both the short- and long-term. That is why we are asking you to take a few minutes to complete the following workforce survey that we and our partners at Autodesk have prepared. The more people understand the scope, and consequences, of current labor market conditions, the more likely they are to enact measures to help meet the industry’s needs. The more members who take the survey, the better able we all will be to describe labor market conditions where you operate.

Registration has now opened for AGC of America’s inaugural National Construction Industry Workforce Summit. The summit, which is taking place on October 13 in St. Louis, Missouri, is designed to bring together leaders in the construction and workforce development community to focus on establishing solutions to chronic worker shortages. During this day-long summit, construction and workforce development professionals will learn about successful programs that are helping recruit, develop and retain high-quality construction professionals. The goals of the summit are to identify a more consistent approach that industry should take to improve the workforce pipeline, leverage existing strategies proven successful, and make connections that provide support and resources to attendees to continue addressing workforce development issues long after the summit ends. Contact Brian Turmail at brian.turmail@agc.org or (703) 459-0238 for more information.

AGC is excited to announce that the full agenda for the 2021 AGC Annual Convention is now available.

 

From risk management strategies to safety innovations on the jobsite to emerging cyber risks in construction, you'll find this year’s convention agenda packed with experts from across the industry delivering topics to help every level of your organization build better.

 

 

For more details visit http://convention.agc.org.

 

Each year the AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. The application opened July 1, 2021 and closes November 1, 2021.

Despite the ongoing recovery from the pandemic, the construction industry is expected to experience low unemployment with little expectation that the current domestic workforce can alone meet future employment demand. Compounding the workforce challenges in the industry, currently the nation’s system provides the high-tech sector, agricultural businesses, and seasonal employers with options for legal, work authorized immigrants however it does not for the construction Industry. On June 30, the AGC-backed Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act was recently introduced in the House and would allow contractors to hire year-round construction guest workers, who otherwise have no legal immigration avenue; provide industries, like construction, access to new temporary workers while protecting American jobs; and, alleviate incentives for individuals to illegally enter the country.

On July 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act, a $715 billion federal investment in America’s roads, bridges, transit, passenger rail, and drinking and wastewater infrastructure. AGC lobbied against several of the policies included in the bill. However, its passage in the House is a first step towards enacting record levels of federal investment in infrastructure. It continues to remain unclear how this legislation will intersect with larger infrastructure package negotiations between the White House and a bipartisan group of senators. The AGC summary of the INVEST in America Act can be viewed here. AGC will continue to push for policy improvements to the bill. For more information, contact Alex Etchen at alex.etchen@agc.org.

Unprecedented price increases for a wide range of goods and services used in construction pushed up contractors’ costs by a devastating 26.3 percent from June 2020 to June 2021, according to an analysis by AGC of America of government data released recently. Association officials cautioned that rising materials prices are making it difficult for many construction firms to benefit from the re-opening of the economy, undermining the sector’s ability to add new, high-paying jobs.

The July/August 2021 issue of Constructor magazine is now available! In this issue, we're talking about AGC's upcoming Annual Convention, the association's first major in-person event since the pandemic started. Will We See You in Orlando?

 

Other highlights include:

• AGC Houston Takes the Lead in Getting Workers Vaccinated
• Double Duty: Digital Twinning Technology Streamlines Communication

• Addressing Mental Health in the Construction Industry with a Respectful Workplace Culture

 

Even under ideal conditions, construction sites present a clear risk to health and safety. While job-related injuries receive the most attention, environmental conditions also present a significant risk to the safety and success of projects everywhere.
BY CRAIG SIMONSON, NORTHWEST REGIONAL EXECUTIVE FOR SENTRY INSURANCE, AND BRENT OLSON, VICE PRESIDENT ANCHOR INSURANCE & SURETY, AN OREGON-COLUMBIA CHAPTER AGC MEMBER

In August 2020, Hurricane Laura made landfall, traveling through the Gulf Coast and matched the strongest hurricane to hit Louisiana. This resulted in significant damage to homes and buildings and left nearly a million people without power.
BY ERIN ROTZ, HEAD OF BUSINESS, THE HARTFORD
A MEMBER OF MULTIPLE AGC CHAPTERS

Family-owned and operated, Central Civil Construction, a South Florida Chapter-AGC member, recently announced its new president, Robert “Bob” T. Murphy, PE, CGC. This marks the first time that a nonfamily member will be in a C-suite position. Richard Baer will now be Chairman and Bob Baer will be CEO. Murphy will report directly to both.

 

Brinkmann Constructors, an AGC of Missouri member, will be opening a new office in the Richmond, Va., area to allow the company to better serve the east coast.

 

 

Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP), a member of multiple AGC chapters, recently announced the election of Brantley Barrow as chairman of its Board of Directors. Barrow has worked in the construction industry for most of his career and has served on AP’s board for the past three years.

Skanska, a member of multiple AGC chapters, has hired Megan Moloughney as vice president of development to support its commercial development operations across Los Angeles. Moloughney will report to Clare De Briere, executive vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development’s Los Angeles market.

Join us from wherever you are July 20-22, 2021, for the 2021 Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Conference, and rely on the same high-quality content you expect from an AGC in-person conference. Check out our agenda for more details on sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities. We look forward to seeing you in person for the 2022 Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Conference, taking place July 26-28 in Washington, D.C.

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) connects the military community — service members, military spouses, and veterans — with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce. For details on any event, please visit the Hiring Our Heroes Calendar.