Association details measures needed to lead to a more environmentally friendly built environment, also outlines steps firms can take to operate more efficiently 
 
Construction officials outlined a series of steps public officials and the construction industry should take to address the impacts of the built environment on climate change. The new initiative from AGC of America is designed to lessen the carbon footprint of the built environment while also making the process of building projects even more efficient.

The path toward a successful future in the construction industry is forged by today’s leaders. To help you prepare for the industry of tomorrow, we’ve invited LT. Gen. H.R. McMaster, USA (Ret.), and Col. DeDe Halfhill, USAF (Ret.) as this year's AGC Annual Convention keynote speakers. Register today to find out how two accomplished military leaders blazed a trail for their teams and learn how their methods can be applied to the world of construction. For more details visit http://convention.agc.org.

Registration is open 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.

 

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.

On Aug. 10, the Senate passed, 69-30, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a historic, $1.2 trillion infrastructure package investing in all components of the nation’s physical infrastructure. AGC endorsed this legislation because it reauthorizes the nation’s federal-aid highway and transit programs for five years at record funding levels, includes significant environmental permitting streamlining provisions, and provides a host of other investments for a wide array construction projects without raising taxes on construction firms and without including any new, significant workforce mandates, like the PRO Act or government-mandated project labor agreements. A full AGC analysis of the bill can be found here. Additionally, a breakdown of what’s in the bill for each construction market can be found here:Highway Contractors; Utility Contractors; Direct Federal Contractors; Building Contractors; and Other Markets (Transit, Rail, Waterways, Airports).

Extreme price increases continued in July for a wide range of goods and services used in construction, according to an analysis by AGC of America of government data released recently. Association officials urged President Biden to immediately end tariffs and quotas on steel, aluminum, lumber and other essential construction items to help stave off inflationary pressure in the construction industry. 

In early August, AGC released the latest AGC Construction Inflation Alert. Every week brings new reports of materials costs hitting record highs, while lead times lengthen or become ever more uncertain. This downloadable PDF helps chapters and members explain to owners, government officials, and others, what is happening and what all parties can do to minimize the damage. 

In part two of this series, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline critical construction project workflows by automating time-consuming and repetitive processes like building a submittal log and tracking changes to specs over the course of a project. Bryan Rumple of Mortenson and Sameer Merchant of Autodesk Construction Solutions discuss document management challenges and how AI technology can improve productivity and reduce project risk.

A new day, a new technological feat: digital twin. What does it mean and how can it impact your construction project? The new technology is certainly taking off across industries: the global digital twin market size in 2020 was valued at $3.1 billion and is expected to grow 58% (company annual growth rate) to $48.2 billion by 2026, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com.
BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT 

 

After more than a year of navigating the new COVID-19 pandemic reality, businesses are negotiating new workplace safety requirements. 
BY NATHAN DUNN, CEO, BLUECATS

Making sure employees go home the way they came to work is the industry’s chief objective at the jobsite each workday. In addition, safer work environments not only mean more satisfied employees, but also lower health insurance premiums, better bond/insurance rates, and increased job opportunities due to heightened trust from clients and trade partners.  
BY ERIC PYLE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BUILDING OPERATIONS, BELL CONSTRUCTION, AN AGC OF TENNESSEE MEMBER 

Cushing, a Chicagoland AGC member, recently announced the addition of 3D laser scanning to their construction and project management services. The investment further cements their commitment to the architecture, engineering, construction, and real estate communities in Illinois. The family-owned firm has served Chicago for over 90 years. 

Leading general contractor Jacobsen Construction Company (Jacobsen), an AGC of Utah member, recently named Chris Field to its executive project leadership as part of the company’s efforts to accommodate strong growth in the construction industry’s emerging economic recovery.

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.