Articles tagged with "Workforce"

A report from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada highlights the significant contribution of mechanical contractors to the Canadian economy, injecting over $30 billion into the GDP while employing more than 205,000 workers. The report, titled 'Building Canada Now: The Economic Impact of Mechanical Contracting in Canada,' was commissioned by the association to showcase the sector's economic importance.

Greenbuild 2025 is an annual event for green building professionals, scheduled for November 4-7, 2025, in Los Angeles, aiming to improve resilience and sustainability in buildings and communities. Attendees will gain insights into sustainable development, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative solutions. The event offers numerous learning opportunities, including CE credits, and will emphasize social equity and diverse participation.

A partnership initiated by Bechtel's $7 million contribution to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is making significant progress in its mission to support half a million construction workers. The initiative has already reached 188,000 workers in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of mental health support. This effort highlights a growing awareness and response to mental health issues within the construction sector, which faces unique stressors and challenges.

New York City has introduced new 'landmark legislation' for construction workers and supervisors. This legislation mandates additional Site Safety Training (SST) to include modules on mental health and wellness, specifically targeting suicide risk and prevention, as well as education on alcohol and substance misuse. This move aims to enhance the overall safety and well-being of construction site personnel.

Illinois' pre-apprenticeship programs are providing tuition-free, on-the-job training that has successfully attracted larger shares of underrepresented groups into the trades. This initiative aims to diversify the trades workforce by enabling access to training for minorities who have been historically underrepresented in the industry. This approach has been backed by a study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, emphasizing its impact on workforce diversity.

The article discusses the increasing risks on construction jobsites and the potential of AI-powered safety tools to mitigate these risks. However, construction companies face a challenge in trusting these AI tools without proper testing and verification processes. The article stresses the importance of benchmarking these technologies to ensure their reliability and effectiveness.

In this episode of 'Lexicon,' Al Eliasen, President of Spatial Business Systems, discusses how automation and AI are revolutionizing the utility sector by transforming utilities into data-driven entities. He highlights that traditional methods are becoming obsolete, and automation helps streamline processes, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency. Automation not only reduces backlogs and regulatory fines but also addresses workforce shortages by quickening apprenticeship programs. Eliasen emphasizes the need for more synchronized enterprise systems and industry-wide standards to keep up with increasing infrastructure interconnectivity.

The August jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed weak economic growth with non-farm employment rising by just 22,000 and a revision of June figures revealing a net loss. Over the past four months, job gains have totaled only 100,000, which falls short of the historically higher 200,000-plus monthly increases. The article highlights ongoing pressures in the construction sector amidst this slow job growth.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is planning to repeal a Biden-era regulation regarding the classification of independent contractors. This regulation had replaced guidance from the Trump administration that also pertained to the conditions under which workers are classified as independent contractors. The move could have significant implications for workforce dynamics, especially in sectors that rely heavily on independent contractors.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced a comprehensive $5-billion Strategic Response Fund to support Canadian businesses and workers impacted by U.S. tariffs and global trade disturbances. The package includes a reskilling program for 50,000 workers, a Buy Canadian Policy, and financial relief measures for various sectors such as the auto and agriculture industries. Additionally, the creation of a Major Projects Office in Calgary aims to expedite nation-building projects. These measures aim to bolster Canada's economic resilience and support domestic industries.

At the Elevate 2025 conference in Washington, D.C., leaders discussed the construction labor shortage as a potential national security threat. Solutions proposed include immigration reforms and creating pipelines to integrate veterans and women into the workforce. This labor crisis is seen as critical, calling for immediate and structured solutions to fortify the construction industry's workforce.

The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program is under scrutiny as an unusual coalition of Conservative and NDP politicians, trade unions, and construction associations calls for its overhaul or discontinuation. They argue that the program offers minimal benefits to Canada while exploiting vulnerable workers. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed concerns about the current implementation of the TFW program. The ongoing review by the federal government may lead to significant reforms.