Associated Builders and Contractors recently released its 2024 Workforce Development Survey, which found its member contractors invested $1.6 billion to provide craft, leadership and health and safety education to more than 1.3 million course attendees nationwide in 2023, up from $1.5 billion in 2022 and on track with $1.6 billion in 2021. Other key findings included: Safety education accounts for the greatest share of total workforce investment at 59%, which has remained stable since 2022 ABC contractors invested an average of 7.5% of payroll on workforce development in 2023, slightly down from 8% in 2022 Trade and specialty contractors continued … Read more
OSHA Photo Contest Returns to Promote Awareness of Heat Dangers
Soaring temperatures are already causing concerns at workplaces — outdoors and indoors — throughout the nation. To allow employers, workers and other stakeholders to help one another understand and address the dangers of heat hazards, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is again sponsoring the agency’s “Beat the Heat” photo contest. In 2023, OSHA launched a national competition challenging employers, workers and others to share their best tools and resources for educating workers about the dangers of heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Open to all industries, the 2024 Beat the Heat competition challenges participants to … Read more
Construction Workers Satisfied with Jobs, Wages Rise 20%+ Since 2021
Workplace satisfaction is more important than ever before for retaining employees, with one recent survey finding that 77% of workers were more likely to stay with an employer if satisfied with their company’s organizational culture. To uncover which industries have the most satisfied employees, TollFreeForwarding.com researched online review data for 200 companies across industries and ranked them based on the following criteria: culture & values, diversity & inclusion, work-life balance, compensation, career opportunities and senior management satisfaction. Using these rankings, each industry was scored on a scale of 1-100 for each category, as well as an overall average. The research … Read more
CONEXPO-CON/AGG Launches Comprehensive Mental Health Resource Hub
CONEXPO-CON/AGG is shining a light on mental health issues in the construction industry. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by professionals in this field, the organization has launched a comprehensive resource hub dedicated to mental wellness. The initiative aims to change the industry’s approach to mental health by providing actionable resources, sharing inspiring personal stories and offering practical advice for both employers and employees. “The construction industry is filled with professionals committed to precision in everything they do,” said CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff. “This level of attention and care must also be given to the mental health of all construction … Read more
Teens Sign Letters of Intent for Careers in Skilled Trades
The Boldt Company recently hosted a signing day celebrating its youth apprentices committing to pursue a career in the skilled trades or attend a post-secondary institution. The ceremony was attended by students, teachers, parents and representatives of the building trades. Boldt’s youth apprentices signed letters of intent to either an area university or union where they will pursue a career in the skilled trades — a sector in high demand due to large labor shortages. According to the Department of Workforce Development, more than 20% of jobs in the construction industry in Wisconsin are held by workers age 55 and … Read more