October is Careers in Construction month and a great time to look at career options. With a variety of opportunities for people with all backgrounds and education levels, the construction industry allows for zero barriers to entry, infinite opportunities for growth and competitive salaries.

Associated Builders and Contractors of New Hampshire and Vermont (ABC NH/VT) is pleased to announce this year’s Excellence in Construction (EiC) Award winners. The EIC awards program is the construction industry’s leading competition that honors general and specialty contractors for world-class, safe and innovative construction projects.

According to a DOL news release, the increase is a result of the DOL’s 2014 final rule, which implemented Executive Order 13658, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors, and raised the hourly minimum wage paid by contractors to workers on covered federal contracts to $10.10 with annual increases thereafter.

The complex problem of suicide affects the entire country, though some industries such as construction are disproportionally impacted. Our industry can build a bridge to offer hope and encourage help-seeking across the nation. Read this Construction Executive article for more on this topic. 

Jennifer Landon, vice president of education and workforce development at the Associated Builders and Contractors of NH/VT (ABC NH/VT), was sworn in as vice president of the Granite State Chapter of National Women in Construction (NAWIC) for the 2021-2022 term at their 46th Annual Meeting held in September.

Associated Builders and Contractors September 2021 update on NH and VT Business Relief Programs. 

Partnering with Associated Builders and Contractors of NH/VT, NHPBS and I Build NH created a series of instructional videos launched this month that will tell the story of the trades through the voice of local tradespeople.

Many women are hesitant to join the construction industry because of a lack of education, training and apprenticeship opportunities. However, this is rapidly changing as an increasing number of industry trade groups and nonprofit organizations develop attainable pathways to entry-level construction jobs.

New Hampshire business leaders fear that the PRO Act will cause irreparable damage to the state’s economy by harming small and local business as they attempt to navigate a fragile economic recovery. They also say the PRO Act would force employers to hand over private employee information to union organizers and subject them to unwanted harassment at their homes.