AGC of America released the February edition of its Construction Inflation Alert. This document is intended to inform project owners, government officials, and the public about the extreme cost increases and supply-chains disruptions affecting construction. The current version of the Alert can be accessed by visiting AGC Construction Inflation Alert | Associated General Contractors of America.

 

The chief executive officer of AGC of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a bill by several Democratic Senators to suspend the federal gas tax for the remainder of 2022 in response to rising fuel prices:

Prices of construction materials jumped more than 20% from January 2021 to January 2022, according to an analysis by AGC of America of government data released recently. The association posted a new edition of its Construction Inflation Alert, a report to inform project owners, officials, and others about the challenges volatile materials costs, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages posed for construction firms.

“Unfortunately, there has been no letup early this year in the extreme cost runup that contractors endured in 2021,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “They are apparently passing on more of those costs but will have a continuing challenge in getting timely deliveries and finding enough workers.”

AGC of America is now accepting session proposals for AGC’s 2022 Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Conference. This notice is a call for presentations for a limited number of speaking opportunities.

We are looking for experienced presenters to deliver dynamic and engaging presentations related to safety and health, and the environment. AGC wants to deliver content that will stimulate and provoke discussion. We invite you to share your knowledge and help us shape the 2022 experience.

For more information on speaker expectations, important deadlines, and how to submit your proposal, please refer to our conference guidelines. Proposals are due by close of business on Monday, February 28, 2022.

AGC releases full report from its first-ever workforce summit which includes a lengthy catalog of steps firms, educators and AGC of America chapters are taking to address workforce shortages. It also includes 22 new recommendations summit participants crafted, to help overcome the recruiting, training and retention challenges behind construction workforce shortages.

Good communication between the field and office is essential to keeping a project on time and on budget. Keep everyone abreast of what each operation or department is doing, and whether any issues or miscommunication have arisen to avoid delays or errors that can cost thousands of dollars or more in construction rework, eating up your bottom-line profits.
BY TOM WEBB, VP OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES & CUSTOMER RELATIONS, HCSS, AN AGC OF AMERICA CAPSTONE SUPPORTER

There’s only one thing society can count on to remain the same: Everything will change. The construction industry is quickly evolving — technologies develop, delivery methods transform and the pace with which we are expected to work is rapidly increasing. The skill set superintendents needed to be successful a decade ago is very different today. The modernization of the superintendent’s role now demands new competencies, like collaboration, patience, respect, flexibility and accountability. These soft skills are a newer addition to this line of work, but there’s no doubt that they play an essential role and are an important ingredient to a team’s successes.
BY KEYAN ZANDY, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
SKILES GROUP, A TEXO MEMBER

 

While the trial-and-error of managing a workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic was a big eye-opener for employers everywhere, one thing became strikingly clear: keeping frontline workers safe, productive and informed means keeping them digitally connected, global pandemic or not. Especially as hiring shortages and new virus variants threaten the slow tread of global economic recovery, maintaining a strong connection has become increasingly critical for these workforces. The construction industry is no exception.
BY CRISTIAN GROSSMANN, CEO OF BEEKEEPER

Register today for Connected. Supported. Safe: An Industry United in Safety | February 24, 2022 | 2 p.m.

Safety is a bond that unites us. It’s our connection to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves. When we’re connected and supported, we are better able to help ourselves, and our teams stay present and focused on the job. The more we stay connected and committed, the more we can show up fully to support one another. And the more we feel supported, the safer choices we make, and the better work we deliver, leading to safer selves, safer teams, and safer jobsites.

In this webinar, Ken Aldridge, chairman of the Board for Aldridge, and Mike Burke, chief operating officer for Alberici, will discuss how we remain connected, supported, and safe as one united industry.

Experience the AGC Annual Convention, providing contractors of all sizes and markets the opportunity to gain business-critical insights into the issues most affecting their operations. AGC brings together experts from across the industry to share their knowledge and help prepare contractors to meet the challenges of today (and tomorrow). Alongside the incredible keynote speakers, the AGC Annual Convention will feature more than 15 education breakout sessions covering a variety of key industry topics.

Held in conjunction with this event, the AGC Equipment, Technology & Construction Solutions Expo provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for your whole team to meet with more than 100 leading industry suppliers showcasing the latest tools, solutions and equipment to power your construction business.

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.