The construction industry is suffering from the effects of a workforce shortage. There simply aren’t enough craft and trades workers, superintendents, or project managers to fill the demand in today’s marketplace. Part of the solution is for construction professionals to make a more concerted effort to share their story with young people by showing them viable career paths that offer rewarding work and great compensation. An equally important part of the solution to building a more dynamic construction industry is for firms to have a strategic approach for recruiting minorities, such as implementing a formal diversity and inclusion plan.
AGC Georgia recognizes the lack of diversity within Georgia’s construction industry and with the engagement and leadership from members on our Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce, we are opening a dialogue on how we can create a more inclusive industry that welcomes women and men from all ethnicities, generations, races, sexual orientations and religions. It’s critical to also find new ways to bridge the transition for veterans, including those who are disabled, into the industry. The 2016-2017 AGC Georgia President, Randy Hall, shared his opinion on diversity during a speech he gave when he accepted the presidency. He said, “Diversity in people creates diversity in thought which leads to the best possible solution. After all, we are contractors and are all in the problem solving business.”