Middle school and high school-aged girls from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area will attend a complimentary in-person construction camp this summer to provide real-world experience, mentorship and education about the opportunities that exist in the construction industry, regardless of gender. The camp is called MyWIC, which stands for Mentoring young Women In Construction, and will take place two days per week in Philadelphia between July 12 and Aug. 17. MyWIC is run by the NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation, which partnered with companies like NEST, a facilities management company, to make it a reality. “Many girls are unaware that a career in construction can be … Read more
Commercial Construction Contractors Upbeat on Outlook Despite Worsening Material Shortages, Worker Shortages
Contractors continue to face a shortage of building materials like lumber and steel, while cost fluctuations for the building products are having increasing impact on business, according to second quarter data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction (Index). This quarter, 84% of contractors are facing at least one material shortage. Almost half (46%) of contractors say less availability of building products has been a top concern lately, up from 33% who said the same last quarter. Despite the materials challenges, the overall Index score rose three points to 65 (its highest reading since a score of 74 in … Read more
Design-Build Team to Construct New Placer County Health and Human Services Center
A Design-Build contract for the $79.8-million Health and Human Services Center, by the Placer County board of supervisors, was recently awarded to the Turner Construction Company/AC Martin team. The new facility is included in the county’s recently updated master plan for the Placer County Government Center, and will help consolidate existing staff and services from six divisions into a 142,000-square-foot facility in North Auburn, California. The “one-stop” service center for the Auburn and foothills area will improve public access to health and human services and supplant the multiple World War II-era facilities currently in use. It would also be the … Read more
ABC’s Construction Backlog Inches Higher in May, Materials + Labor Shortages Suppress Contractor Confidence
Associated Builders and Contractors reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.0 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted from May 20 to June 2, 0.1 months higher than in April 2021 and May 2020. While ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales increased modestly in May, confidence regarding profit margins and staffing levels slipped. All three indices remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months. “Nonresidential construction backlog continues to edge higher, consistent with expectations that sales, profit margins and staffing will expand over the next six months,” … Read more
SEAA Names Speakers, Sets Exhibitor Schedule for 2021 Convention
The Steel Erectors Association of America’s 48th Convention and Trade Show, to be held Oct. 12-14, 2021 in Orlando, Florida, features fresh education topics and live demos at its trade show. Early bird registration discounts for both members and non-members ends Aug. 31, and hotel room block cutoff date is Sept. 22. Visit seaa.net/seaa-convention—trade-show to book your booth, register to attend and reserve your hotel room. On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the convention kicks off at 3 p.m. with a panel discussion with 2021 Project of the Year winning teams. “We’ll explore common themes and best practices that other erectors may … Read more