Nonresidential and Multifamily Construction Spending Slump in March

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Spending on most categories of nonresidential and multifamily construction declined from February to March as contractors struggled to find enough workers and get timely deliveries of materials, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released regarding federal spending data. Association leaders urged Washington officials to end tariffs on construction materials and widen the opportunities for gaining the skills for rewarding careers in construction. Construction spending in March totaled $1.73 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, 0.1% above the upwardly revised February rate and 11.7% higher than in March 2021. Private residential construction spending accounted for all … Read more

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Boldt Launches Program to Focus on Mental Health

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Suicide is the leading cause of construction fatalities and suicide rates in the construction industry are four times the national average. According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates in the U.S. working population increased 34% from 2000-16 and is the leading cause of violent death for men in the construction industry. In response to these alarming statistics, The Boldt company implemented a suicide awareness and prevention program in 2021 using peer-to-peer “gatekeepers” to provide help and referrals for co-workers. Today, 88 trained gatekeepers are at jobsites and offices nationwide. They are clearly identified by purple stickers … Read more

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New NCCER Curricula Coming Soon

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The National Center for Construction Education and Research has announced the release of updates to many of its popular curricula. These titles, coming summer 2022, include: HVACR Level 1, Sixth Edition (now available) General Carpentry, Sixth Edition Welding Level 1, Sixth Edition Plumbing Level 1, Fifth Edition NCCER will release more information about these updates as they become available. For now, it can provide a preview to trainees and instructors about what to expect. HVACR Level 1, Sixth Edition features a name change as the curriculum highlights refrigeration. Levels 2 through 4 have been restructured to ensure students are presented … Read more

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AGC Names Nation’s Most Outstanding Student Construction Chapters

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The University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as Kansas State University and Boise State University were named the nation’s most outstanding student construction chapters of 2021, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. The student chapters were each honored for one of three categories: Emerging Student Chapter Award, Community Service Award and Construction Management Skills Award. “These student chapters offer a vital connection between the future leaders of our industry and the construction employers of today,” said Bob Lanham, the association’s former president and president of Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc. in Houston, Texas. “These three student chapters stand out for … Read more

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Construction Companies Make Switch from Hard Hats to Safety Helmets

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To coincide with Construction Safety Week, two construction companies have announced they are switching gear from hard hats to safety helmets in order to further protect their workforce. Safety helmets have slowly entered the market and will eventually become the norm on construction sites. Type 2 safety helmets are an improved design compared to traditional suspension-based hard hats as they will stay secure in the event of a fall. TDIndustries is providing safety helmets to the workforce. The company is also continuing to educate workers on head protection safety innovation and how upgrading from hard hats to safety helmets can … Read more

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