March 2024 eBulletin

Women in Construction 

As we close out Women in Construction Month, I want to take a moment to appreciate all the women in the industry and bring light to the roles we play and how they are rapidly changing.

The most recent numbers, as of 2022, from the Bureau of Labor and Statistic show that 1.3 million women work in the construction industry and account for just 1.25% of the total workforce. This translates to 10.9% of construction workers. Virginia is even higher and ranks 13th in the nation with 12.5% of construction workers being female. This is a significant increase over the last decade. Reports vary but may be as high as a 53% increase. The percentages include women who work in engineering, architecture, legal, insurance, and administrative, but when we look at those who work in the trades, it’s just 4%.

AGCVA Members in the News

AGCVA members have been up to a lot in the last month!

We are thrilled to recognize these accomplishments and recognitions, and we encourage you to connect with your fellow members and extend your congratulations!

A two-way knowledge flow can help older workers leverage artificial intelligence while building team trust among generations, writes a construction expert.

Seeking answers on how to construct smarter and greener buildings or improve water efficiency in homes and offices, those who create our buildings and construction projects have the opportunity to enter a new era of learning by turning their attention to the benefits of artificial intelligence.

The possible applications of AI for the construction industry could be transformative — spanning everything from design to procurement, construction, operation and decommissioning. In fact, designers and contractors are already applying AI and machine learning to manage the volumes of data involved in the design of buildings, the planning of construction projects and the day-to-day operations of sites.

Women in Construction Week: The Women Behind the First Real-Life LEGO Building

About 10 percent of construction jobs are held by women. For more than 25 years, Women in Construction Week has celebrated and promoted the role of women in the construction industry.

In celebration of Women in Construction Week, RENCO has revealed its group of amazing women who have been helping the company with its unique building style. The company applauded the women for what they have achieved and received insight from them on what it means to be a woman in construction.

President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 is just the opening round for what is likely to be a long, hyper-partisan election-year battle over federal spending.

But Biden's budget request, sent to Congress on March 11, does outline his priorities. And it is clear from the numbers for two key construction agencies, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, that heavy infrastructure spending remains high on his list.

Building Code Reform Moves Forward in Virginia

Most state and city building codes, including Virginia’s, require apartment and condo buildings to include multiple exit stairways for buildings over three to five stories. Modifying building codes to allow multifamily buildings to be built with more efficient single-stair designs would make it easier to build on small or irregularly shaped lots that are common in American cities. These reforms also make providing units with more bedrooms necessary for families easier. Although fire safety has historically been building code officials’ primary rationale for requiring multiple stairways, these concerns have largely been mitigated by advances in building materials and automatic sprinklers since the mid-20th Century. 

Construction employment increased in 37 states in January from a year earlier, while 33 states added construction jobs between December and January, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials noted that demand for construction remains strong in many parts of the country, but cautioned that labor shortages are restraining employment gains in the sector.

“This report confirms that construction demand remains robust in most states, especially for data centers, manufacturing, and power projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors are scrambling to find qualified workers, which is keeping more states from posting employment increases.”

Building a Stronger Infrastructure Workforce Requires More Than Money

At this month’s State of the Union address, President Joe Biden noted that he had inherited “an economy that was on the brink” and helped create 15 million jobs in three years. “That’s a record!” he shouted. And it’s a record that’s especially promising for workers who construct, operate, and maintain our infrastructure—a sector boosted by historic federal investment over the past couple years and with the potential to support economic growth for years to come.

But despite all this talk, the reality is that too many workers—including those in infrastructure—are struggling to stay afloat and grow their careers. Many battle fatigue and leave their jobs, or earn low pay and experience persistent poverty—two barriers worsened by troubling labor force participation rates that suggest a tough road ahead for the economy.

SAFETY

In construction safety, one thing is certain: there’s a lot of uncertainty. Every worksite presents a constantly evolving array of hazards, which means the risk of injury is constantly fluctuating, and there’s rarely enough time or logistical ability to conduct more than the mandatory baseline safety training.

Every single industry has to contend with real-time shifts in risk, but construction companies have to deal with the problem on an entirely different level. For them, change isn’t just one of many safety challenges—it is, in many ways, the safety challenge.

Environmental, Health, and Safety Training Return on Investment

Maximizing the return on your investment (ROI) from Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) training requires a smart approach that goes beyond just compliance. Forward-thinking companies are finding out that by investing in EHS training, they can reduce accidents and incidents, improve employee morale, and reduce insurance costs. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at these aspects, showcasing how EHS training can be an important asset for any company.