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“ABC is honored to be recognized with this award as a leader of total human health and will continue to look deeper into the complexity of conditions that affect the decision-making process of our workforce while performing critical tasks,” said Sizemore.
Nicole, a building trades student at Northwest Career and Technical Center in St. Albans, VT, started in the program at her school because she wanted to learn practical life skills that she couldn't learn by sitting in a classroom. Excellent teachers and classmates who feel more like family have inspired her. Three years later, she's nearing graduation and plans to pursue a career in the trades.
Calli is a building trades student at Northwest Career & Technical Center in Vermont. From a young age, she wanted to work in the building trades. "I love working hands-on, and I love being able to use my imagination to create something that is helpful for others," she says. Her advice to women considering a career in the building trades is to bring a good attitude. "...Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, if you have a good attitude and are eager to learn, you’ll go places. Also, step out of your comfort zone to expand your knowledge and skills."
Eve Norris, senior vice president with PC Construction, says she truly enjoys the people she works with. "We have fun, work hard and like to build!" Her advice to women who want to work in the construction industry is simple, don't hesitate. "It is a great career with great people. Women are setting new standards and bringing fresh ideas to the industry. Our diverse perspectives and unique approaches are setting the bar, and I'm excited to be part of it."
Kim Lynch started her career with DECCO in an entry-level position. With training and on-the-job experience she was able to grow into her current position as an assistant project manager. Kim's advice to women in the construction industry is to always be motivated to learn from who you can, whenever you can. "The construction industry is filled with talented individuals who are knowledgeable, and most are eager to pass on their experience."
Caryn Morse, director of media and marketing with DECCO, Inc., chose a career in the construction industry because, in this field, you have the opportunity to help create something that makes an impact in the world. "I love driving by a completed building or project site and telling my kids, 'I helped make that happen!'."
Kimberly Depelteau, assistant project superintendent with North Branch Construction, says she fell in love with "dirt" while interning for a civil engineering, land planning, & surveying company while studying mechanical and electrical engineering at Norwich University. She strongly recommends that women considering a career in construction should take advantage of apprenticeship/internship programs, be confident and take advantage of every opportunity for continuing education.
Tiffany Stanewicz didn't envision herself with a career in construction, but it's where she landed and she couldn't be happier! Tiffany is a design engineer with Interstate Electrical Services. She says her favorite part of her career is seeing projects come to life. "I see them before they start, while they are in progress and when they are completed," says Tiffany. "Putting it on a drawing can be easy, but seeing what our team members in the field do to complete the project successfully is truly amazing." Her advice to women considering a career in construction is not to be afraid to walk into the unknown. "I would not be where I am today if I didn’t. Build your confidence and build trust in your peers and managers. They are the ones who advocate for you when you aren’t around."
Paige Wilber, a project engineer with The H.L. Turner Group, Inc., grew up in a family of engineers and surveyors. This experience and her interest in math and science led her to pursue a career in engineering. She says the most rewarding part of her career is the people she works with daily. To young women interested in construction, Paige's advice is not to be afraid to bring your voice to the table and add value through your own experiences. "At the same time, be open to learning and collaborating," she adds. "The best projects are the ones where the entire team can come together and work through issues with an open and flexible mindset."
Olivia Costin, project manager with PC Construction, enjoys her job and being able to pave the way for other women to come into the industry and challenge the status quo. "Women make the construction industry better every day," says Costin. "I am so grateful for those who have come before to allow me the opportunities I’ve had, and I will continue to do what I can to lift up and support other women in our industry."
Stephanie Marx, human resources/onboarding coordinator with Cobb Hill Construction, encourages young women to consider a career in construction. "It is fast paced, always evolving and the community involvement is great to be a part of," she said.
Caitlin Space, project manager with Noonan Brothers Painting has a passion for design/build. As a child, she loved playing with blocks and building forts, but it was not until high school when a math teacher persuaded her to try architectural drafting. From there her interest only grew and eventually led her to a career in the world of construction. Caitlin says there are endless opportunities in the construction industry for women. "You just have to be willing to put in the time and effort, think quickly on your feet, and sometimes get your hands a little dirty."
Susane Gilbert, special projects support coordinator with North Branch Construction, grew up with her dad and brother working in construction. Growing up in this environment piqued her interest in construction where she's built a rewarding career. Her advice to women considering a career in construction is to find a company that empowers you to learn and grow. "Work alongside men and women with varied construction backgrounds who are willing to teach you so you can grow as an individual. Share your triumphs with other women and assist them in achieving their own goals.”
Jenn Avedisian, senior project manager with Chinburg Builders Inc., chose a career in the construction industry because she was ready for a change. "It was a field I was familiar with having grown up in and around the industry with my father as a home builder," she said.
Meet Carlye Brandl, a subcontractor liaison with North Branch Construction. Her advice to women interested in a career in construction is, "There are so many different skills that are required for each project. Every person contributes. Be confident and vocal about your contributions and ideas."
The ABC New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter today announced 6 member companies were named to the Associated Builders and Contractors’ fifth annual Top Performers publication, which lists its contractor members that build the country’s most enduring, innovative, high-quality construction projects, ranked by work hours.
Kayla Costa, Assistant Project Manager with Fulcrum Associates, chose a career in the construction industry because she wanted to do something different. "I wanted to break boundaries in an industry that is primarily male," she said.
“I enjoy seeing the results of my hard work and like to think that I have left an imprint in my community. I also enjoy teaching others to take pride and show respect for the industry.” - Danielle Bombardier independent electrician and instructor at Northwest Career and Technical Center
Amanda Savage choose a career in construction because of the people and the legacy in the industry. "There are a lot of self-made successful businesspeople in the industry who inspire me," she said. "It's wonderful to drive by a completed building and know that your company had a part in that legacy. There's a lot of pride in the industry."
“My advice for women who want to work in the construction industry is to just go for it. Women should feel empowered to do whatever they set out to do, regardless of the industry type.” - Rheana Anderson, Project Manager Assistant, Cobb Hill Construction
The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor, according to a proprietary model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors.
This year’s Women in Construction Week (WIC) will be observed March 5-11, 2023. Women in Construction (WiC) Week is an opportunity to highlight women as important construction industry members. Join us as we raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and the growing role of women in the industry.
Kayla Costa is an Assistant Project Manager for Fulcrum Associates in Amherst, NH. She started in the construction industry as a student at Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH where the school offered many vocational classes students could take.
The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate dropped 0.6% in December 2022 from a year ago, down from 5% to 4.4%, according to a state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Thirty-two states had lower unemployment rates over the same period, Iowa and Missouri were unchanged and 16 states were higher.
The construction industry added 25,000 jobs on net in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has risen by 294,000 jobs, an increase of 3.9%.
The Vermont ABC CCA program is continuing its success of enhancing the expertise of current workers. Recently the CCA class training involved harness skills, enabling the students to reach new heights on construction projects. The Vermont session classes take place on Wednesdays in Burlington, and demonstrates ABC’s ongoing commitment to provide value to its members.
Construction Executive, the magazine of the business of construction that is published by Associated Builders and Contractors, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month by unveiling a completely redesigned version of the print magazine with its January-February 2023 issue as well as a new, dynamic content mix on its online platforms.
This winter the 2022-2023 class of Future Leaders in Construction collected 1,000 pairs of socks to donate to local organizations that support veterans. The initative, named "Socks for Soldiers" was born out of an activity in class. "Students came up with the idea during a class activity. A student suggested the concept and everyone agreed it sounded like a great opportunity to give back to their local community," said Jennifer Landon, vice president of education and workforce development.
The Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont is pleased to announce that Matt Wheaton, executive vice president of DEW Construction, has been named 2023 Chair of the Board.
Hispanics consisted of 30% of the construction workforce in the United States, according to 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, 46.7% of construction laborers in the United States are Hispanic. These statistics show that it is of ever-increasing importance to learn what is important and motivating to Hispanics/Latinos as they become a critical part of the construction industry and workplace.
Construction technology that increases equipment visibility, worker visibility and jobsite visibility is here now and ready to be deployed. Leveraging these tech tools is a smart way for contractors to achieve safety, productivity and performance improvements that help them stay at the top of their game.
The Excellence in Construction awards honor every member of the construction team, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects are selected from entries across NH and VT and are judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost. A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges.
There are no doubts left about the benefits of management soft- ware for the construction industry. Cloud-based technology solutions are already helping your competitors save time, avoid mis- takes, and use their resources better. Now it’s up to you to decide to join their ranks.
Governor Phil Scott was joined by students and industry leaders, including ABC NH/VT CEO and President Josh Reap, at his weekly press conference today to proclaim October as Careers in Construction Month in Vermont, recognizing the many career opportunities within the construction industry.
ABC NH/VT announced today their endorsement of Governor Chris Sununu in his bid for re-election for governor. The endorsement was announced at the building site of Red Oak at 409 Elm Street in Manchester, NH, a project to bring more housing to the city.
Associated Builders and Contractors today released its second annual construction technology report comprised of case studies that spotlight specific technologies and innovation best practices that ABC member contractors are utilizing to strengthen their value proposition. The report also features safety technology survey data from ABC contractors.
Construction input prices decreased 1.4% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 1.4% for the month as well.
According to the CDC, the U.S. construction industry has one of the highest rates of death by suicide. We must shatter the stigma surrounding mental health issues with the goal of creating a zero-suicide construction industry.
The challenges and misconceptions that hold women back from pursuing careers in AEC and technology are compounded when it comes to construction tech.
ABC NH/VT was honored to host a celebration on June 2 recognizing the accomplishments of graduates and participants from the chapter's education and Safety Awards programs. "It’s great to see so many of our members invest in their workforce and be committed to creating a safety culture of excellence," said Joshua Reap, ABC NH/VT president.
The challenge of finding employees is real across all aspects of the economy, but is particularly severe for the construction industry, which has seen continued significant growth from low interest rates, stimulus monies, increasing real estate values and pandemic inspired projects. The challenge of finding employees, let alone skilled employees, is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. Construction companies need to adapt to this new normal and offer what employees what they truly want.
ABC NH/VT members – Consider running for office! There is always room for a smart, accomplished and principled member of the construction industry to serve in Concord.
After nearly two years of managing the workplace through the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic, employers are being impacted by another significant challenge: the “Great Resignation,” which is the recent trend of workers voluntarily resigning from their jobs en masse beginning in 2021 and continuing today. Employers across a number of industries, including construction, are facing the pressure of recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and integrating job candidates in record speed to fill vacancies and meet the operational needs of the business.
Gary Clevenger, vice president-risk control at CNA, shares his insight on how to build a well-trained, connected workforce in order to promote a culture of safety and reduce the risk of injury.
Is your company looking for opportunities to connect with students interested in entering the trades? Browse this list of upcoming career fairs.
Associated Builders and Contractors member contractors invested $1.6 billion to provide more than 1.3 million course attendees with craft, leadership and safety education in 2021.
ABC has studied how to improve construction jobsite safety through STEP since 1989. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on key components and criteria for best practices through a detailed questionnaire, with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incident rates.
President Joe Biden’s visit to New Hampshire on Tuesday to tout the benefits of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will be celebrated by construction union bosses who stand to gain from controversial Biden administration policies. These overreaching policies will cost taxpayers a fortune while undermining critical taxpayer investments in America’s infrastructure.
President Joe Biden’s visit to New Hampshire on Tuesday to tout the benefits of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will be celebrated by construction union bosses who stand to gain from controversial Biden administration policies. Yet these overreaching policies are and will cost taxpayers a fortune while undermining critical taxpayer investments in America’s infrastructure.
In January, Gov. Phil Scott highlighted making historic investments to grow and strengthen the workforce and give young people more career development opportunities. This includes adding $1 million to the state’s internship program and $1 million to Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s Advancement Grants, which help adults enroll in programs without a college degree; and investing $2.7 million to improve how to connect employers with career and technical education students seeking meaningful employment opportunities.