Podcasts about associated general contractors

It's Derby week in the Commonwealth and the Louisville Thoroughbred Society's own Gene McLean is back for our annual KPW Derby preview, this year brought to you by the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky. Also, Tres has grievances to be aired and KY Wired rears it's ugly head yet again.

Programs for careers like welding, construction, and automotive tech are in hot demand. The Central Vermont Career Center, a career technical school in Barre, has more applicants than they have space to admit. A recent report by Vermont Public found that enrollment is up statewide at most of Vermont's 17 career and technical education centers. It's a national trend, and it's earned Gen Z the nickname “The Toolbelt Generation.”We talk with CVCC's director Jody Emerson and Nick Cantrick, a construction technology instructor at the Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury, about their students' career opportunities.We also discuss current labor needs in Vermont with Richard Wobby, Executive Vice President at the Associated General Contractors of Vermont, and Kendal Smith, Deputy Commissioner at the Vermont Department of Labor.Broadcast live on Monday, April 7, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Hear Bill's interview with Brian Turmail, Vice President, Public Affairs & Workforce, Associated General Contractors of America. (AGC). Brian's role is to develop and oversee all public, member, and chapter communications activities for the 27,000 member construction trade association. He also helps oversee the implementation of the association's Centennial "Future Focus" plan designed to position the association to help member firms thrive amid significant technological, process, and labor transformations taking place within the industry. Brian has been a guest on our show before and he does an excellent job of outlining the challenges America faces in regards to hiring and training a workforce to keep pace with the construction industry demands. As an example, according to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America, 80% of construction companies in Florida say they are having a hard time finding workers. This poses a serious issue as our state is experiencing explosive growth and we need workers for every facet of the construction industry, including infrastructure improvements, roads, bridges, homes, condos, and office buildings, manufacturing plants, and more. Brian and Bill discuss the return of vocational education in our schools to further develop a "home grown" workforce, as well as an H-2B program to help provide workers to meet employment demands. The construction industry offers amazing opportunities for individuals who wish to earn an earnest living...and perhaps one day, start and run their own business.Support the show

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin discuss the upcoming BD Boot Camp, an exciting initiative by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Scheduled for April 8, 2025, during the AGC convention in Columbus, Ohio, the boot camp aims to enhance business development skills within the construction industry.Chris, who will be the chair of the AGC's business development committee, shares insights about the event, highlighting various topics and speakers. Notable presentations will include Tanya Bird from Gilbane discussing the development of a go/no-go process, Angela Crawford from the Builders Association in Kansas City on creating a marketing budget, and Glenn Thompson and Omar Valez on pursuit management and lead generation. Additionally, Chris will present on developing a compelling value proposition to help companies stand out in a competitive market.The episode emphasizes the diverse perspectives attendees will gain from experts across the country, making it a valuable opportunity for professionals in the construction industry. With already 45 to 50 registrants, the boot camp is poised to make a significant impact. Chris expresses enthusiasm for the event and the potential for future collaborations, while John encourages listeners to register and participate.

Trump Puts Home Construction in CrisisJoin us for a compelling conversation about the impact of the Musk/Trump administration's immigration, tariff, and federal workforce policies on the construction industry, especially housing..In a discussion with Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the Lean to the Left podcast explores those issues, which he says have put home construction in crisis.. Turmail highlights a severe labor shortage exacerbated by restrictions on programs like the H2B visa and cancellations under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and DACA. This labor scarcity could lead to higher costs, longer construction times, and stalled community development projects. The discussion touches on the broader economic consequences, such as increased housing prices, reduced funding for public education due to stagnant real estate growth, and the potential economic harm from tariffs on construction materials. The AGC advocates for more investment in career technical education and a streamlined, lawful immigration pathway to address these workforce needs. The session concludes with a call to action for listeners to support these initiatives via the website WorkforceDoneRight.org.CHAPTERS:00:00 Trump's Immigration Policies and the Construction Industry00:58 Introduction to the Labor Shortage Crisis01:35 Historical Context and Education Policies02:56 Visa Programs and Their Limitations06:50 Impact of Workforce Shortages on Communities08:17 Potential Solutions and Policy Recommendations20:37 Economic Consequences of Tariffs26:49 Call to Action and ConclusionAbout Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won't pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

What better way to celebrate Women in Construction Week in the US than a podcast about my soon-to-be-released book, Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction. I'm grateful to fellow author and friend Gabrielle Dolan for taking the time to interview me about the book on my Greatness podcast. It's been an honour to write this book and I look forward to kicking off my book speaking tour at the Associated General Contractors (AGC) conference in April.

Tim Worke, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Worke discusses opportunities and challenges in the construction industry and previews the 2025 Minnesota Construction Summit.

Please tune in to this episode of The Building BITE Podcast, as we hear from industry experts about key topics to help you be successful. The Building BITE hosts Chris Epps, LEED AP and Mike Diercksen, CRIS, welcome back Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America or AGC, Ken Simonson. Throughout the episode, Ken dives into AGC's latest construction outlook report, as well as the 2024 Annual Workforce Shortage Survey. Ken dives into several compelling statistics throughout the episode, leaving our audience with three key takeaways. 1. Job Openings Remain hard to fill: As noted across the board through the AGC Survey, nearly all participants mentioned the challenges they are faced with when it comes to filling jobs with qualified workers. 2. Opportunities Are Coming: Even as others believe the economy may be slowing down, there is reason for optimism. Data Centers and Manufacturing Plants are continuing to pop up at a high clip along with infrastructure projects such as Solar Fields and Battery Plants. The expectation is that these projects will not slow down and if anything, are only gaining momentum. 3. Costs Should Stay Consistent: The market is looking to stabilize and should provide some level of comfort when it comes to project costs. The only outlier in this would be transformers and switch gear, so contractors should plan accordingly to accommodate for those needs specifically. To learn more about Ken's latest construction report, listen to our full podcast episode with Ken Simonson. Please like, share, and subscribe to this podcast!

It's a few days before Labor Day and we're looking at what the construction labor picture looks like in the Valley. According to a recent survey, the majority of contractors are having the same difficulties as they were a year ago when it comes to filling skilled job positions. Joining us this morning is the Chief Economist for the "Associated General Contractors of America," Ken Simonson. 

August 6, 2024 - State transportation officials are in the process of implementing a $33 billion, five-year capital plan, but observers worry inflationary pressures may prevent the Hochul administration to completing its planned projects. We discuss this issue with NY Construction Materials Association President & CEO Ron Epstein and Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf.

In this episode, Aaron is back to read two articles from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) newsletter.  The first article is titled A Construction Market in Transition: The 2024 Hiring and Business Outlook, a survey conducted by AGC. The second is an article titled US Construction Outlook: Torrid or Tepid?  written by Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America.  To Learn more about these Articles tune in to this episode! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at dirttalk@buildwitt.com. Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at dirttalk@buildwitt.com. Stay Dirty!

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey compiles highlights from the recent Construction Economy Outlook Spring 2024 titled “What is Normal Anymore?” and held online on May 9. The webinar, presented by ConstructConnect, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) featured ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes, AGC chief economist Ken Simonson, AIA chief economist Kermit Baker and ConstructConnect vice-president of content acquisition Morgan Stinson and vice-president of product marketing Paul Hart. Baker looked at recent trends in construction activity as well as the outlook for this year and into 2025 and Simonson examined construction employment as well as material and labour costs and how much the industry is spending.  Stinson gave an overview of bidding trends seen in ConstructConnect's data and Guckes took a look at the summer starts forecast for construction, as well as project stresses and the continued influence interest rates on the economy. Finally, Carrick did a deep dive on how demographic changes are shaping the economies of both Canada and the United States, as well as how upcoming election in both countries could affect the construction industry and overall economy and looked at rising costs. You can listen to our recent interviews from the Vancouver Island Construction Association annual conference here and our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

Listen now and nominate a colleague who is making a similar impact in our field!Matthew K. Cashion, Jr., CIC, CRM (Matt), born and raised in Little Rock, was enrolled in the seventh grade at Pulaski Academy upon its inception by his parents. Before graduating in 1977, he attended Boys State and served as state president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). His next phase of life found him following in the footsteps of his next older brother, Ted, graduating from Westminster College in Fulton, MO in 1981 with degrees in Economics & Business Administration and Accounting, and a fiancee, Susan Pippin. While at Westminster, he served as a member of the college's prestigious Skulls of Seven Society and is a Sigma Chi. After graduation, he joined the family agency alongside both brothers, Benson and Ted, and his father, Knight, and marrying his college sweetheart in the spring of 1982.Education and industry involvement was instilled in the agency fiber by Knight and continues as part of its DNA today. Soon after joining the agency, his father sent him to the Reliance Insurance Company's Agent Surety School in 1983. In 1986, Matt received his Certified Insurance Counselor Designation and completed the requirements for his Certified Risk Manager designation in 2004. Additionally, Knight gave him the opportunity to attend surety industry association meetings, where he found his business passion. With mentors from all over the countryproviding wind in his sails, Matt volunteered his way through the ranks of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP), serving as a Regional Vice-President, Board Member, various committee memberships and chairmanships, and in 2003-2004 he served as the youngest national president.His lane through NASBP was via education. Attending its Level 2 surety school in 1986, he discovered a second passion; teaching. Returning to the association's school two years later, Matt was recently honored as the longest tenured instructor for NASBP clocking in 35 years of volunteer service to thousands of students from every state in the union as well as seven foreign countries. Further participation has included curriculum development and review of all levels of the association's educational offerings on contract surety, text editing of The Basic Bond Book, curriculum review for The Institutes' AFSB designation as well as recording select course introduction videos.Having just completed another term as chair of NASBP's Professional Development Committee, Matt is currently serving as co-chair of the Annual Meeting Program committee for a record sixth time.NASBP honored Matt with the President's Award in 2004, the John J. “Jack” Curtin Presidents Award for Distinguished Service in Surety Education in 2009, the Bruce T. Wallace Award for Career Contributions in 2013 (its highest award), and the John J. “Jack” Curtin Award again in 2023, becoming the only two time recipient.Matt also followed the leadership example set by his business partner, Jim Allbritton, serving as president of The Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas (Big I - Arkansas) in 2015-2016. In 2021, Big I honored Matt with its highest award, the Allan Kennedy Memorial Award.An unintended consequence of volunteer service to various construction trade associations over the years has resulted in awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas (ABC) (2020 - Phillip Joiner Award for leadership) and Associated General Contractors of Arkansas (AGC) (2011 - Distinguished Service Award; 2021 - President's Award). After having served as a founding member of National AGC's Surety Industry Advisory Council and acting as its Outreach and Education Task Force Chair in 2001, AGC inducted Matt into its Consulting Contractors Council of America in 2009.Further involvement has included presentations and speaking opportunities all over the country to various groups ranging from the AICPA, the National Home Builders Association, local surety associations, trade associations (AGC, ABC, ASA, NAWIC), universities, engineers, and as a convention keynote speaker in Puerto Rico.Outside of the industry, Matt has offered his time to a variety of civic organizations including Pulaski Academy, Alzheimer's Arkansas Programs and Services, the Metropolitan YMCA, and the Heflin Youth Foundation. Additionally, he has received gubernatorial appointments to the Information Network of Arkansas and the Contractors Licensing Board, where he has served as Chair.Combining his passion for teaching and his greatest blessing, Matt and his wife have co-led various small groups at their church for over 30 years, most recently post college single adults. Pushing the comfort zone limits, he even became an ordained minister during the pandemic in order to perform a requested wedding service for a couple that had met in the class.His most recent passion and greatest joys are found in spending time with his six amazing grandchildren. His daughter Rachel and her husband Dr. David Rainwater, have three wonderful girls. His son, Matthew K. Cashion, III (Tripp) and his wife Kara, have two amazing girls and his only grandson (Matthew K. Cashion, IV aka Knight).

United Airlines Flight 629 departed the Stapleton Airport in Denver, Colorado at 6:52 pm on Tuesday, November 1st, 1955. Just 11 minutes later at 7:03 pm, just as the plane reached 10,000 feet, it suddenly disappeared from Air Traffic Radar. Meanwhile, residents of Longmont, Colorado heard an explosion in the skies overhead. Their windows rattled and they saw a bright ball of fire in the sky. They heard plane engines, even as they saw they saw those engines crashing to the ground below. Farmers and their families rushed to the site of the crash, but there was no way that they could know that this wasn't a tragic accident. In fact, they had just witnessed the largest mass murder ever seen in the state of Colorado. Sources:Jack Gilbert Graham from FBI.govThe United Flight 629 bombing and how Denver7 forever changed courtroom coverage in Colorado from Denver7AGC History: Tragic 1955 Plane Crash Claimed Industry Leaders' Lives from Associated General Contractors of AmericaMass murder in the sky: John Gilbert Graham and United Flight 629 from The Denver PostVictims en route to varied locations from The Denver PostSeason 1 | Episode 4: Time Bomb from A Crime to RememberSee ya next Wednesday! Intro/Outro Music: A Creepy Music from Music UnlimitedInstagram: @wickedwithinpodcastWebsite: wickedwithinpodcast.com

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of the Associated General Contractors of America's (AGC) litigation program, which serves as a crucial component of its broader advocacy efforts. We explore how AGC strategically engages in judicial matters to safeguard and improve the business environment for construction contractors, aligning with its overarching goal of advancing industry interests and protecting against disruption. AGC's legal staff discuss the decision-making process behind legal action, the importance of partnerships, updates on current judicial actions, and the vital role of funding through the Construction Advocacy Fund (CAF). Additionally, we outline guidelines for AGC chapters and members to request support for impactful cases, emphasizing the significance of national impact and broader industry implications in AGC's decision-making. Guests: Stephen Sandherr CEO – AGC of America Jimmy Christianson Vice President, Government Relations – AGC of America Leah Pilconis General Counsel and ConstructorCast Host – AGC of America For details on current issues visit https://advocacy.agc.org The Construction Advocacy Fund: The Fund helps finance a host of critical campaigns, including AGC's ongoing efforts to fight for federal infrastructure investments, push back against costly and needless regulatory burdens, promote workforce development and workplace safety, and enhance construction technology. Visit https://constructionadvocacyfund.agc.org to learn more. Timestamped Topics: • 00:00 - Introduction • 01:35 - Overview of AGC's litigation program and its alignment with advocacy goals • 05:37 - Goals and strategies for challenging government regulations • 8:08 - Decision-making process for legal action • 10:25 - Partnerships and collaborations within the industry • 11:58 - Updates on current judicial actions and recent US Supreme Court victories • 36:27 - AGC's litigation program funding • 39:53 - Guidelines for AGC chapters and members to request support for impactful cases • 41:22 - Conclusion

Jan. 23, 2024 - Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf discusses the condition of the state's roads and bridges and makes the case for additional investments in driving conditions.

In episode 383, we dig deep into the archives to retrieve what was thought to be lost: An epic 2018 interview with a pair of construction industry superstars, Fred Perpall and Meloni Raney.  As CEO of The Beck Group, Perpall leads the firm's global architecture, planning, real estate consultancy, and construction businesses. He began his career in design and construction in 1996. Two decades later, the American Institute of Architects elected him into its prestigious College of Fellows. In 2023, Fred Perpall became the 67th president of the United States Golf Association (USGA). He is the first African American and Texan to serve in this role and is proud to expand and nurture diversity and inclusion in the game. “We talk too much about what separates us and not enough about what unites us. In golf, we're a community,” said Perpall. “When we lean in together, when we include more people in the game, not only will the game get better, but our lives will get better, too.” A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Perpall played on the 1994 Bahamian National Basketball Team. He moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Texas at Arlington, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Architecture. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program and is a former Americas Fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute. Meloni Raney (AIA) is President and CEO of TEXO, The Construction Association. TEXO is the largest commercial contractors association in Texas and the largest affiliated with both the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).  TEXO provides innovative programs, quality services and strategic alliances for contractor and industry members doing more than $9 billion of work annually in North and East Texas. one of the largest construction associations in the country.  Meloni is a University of Oklahoma graduate who earned a degree in Architecture along with a minor in Construction Management. Meloni attained her architecture license while working at The Beck Group.   View clips from past episodes on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco     This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® which will organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes. *** If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd sincerely appreciate it if you left a review on Apple Podcasts. The feedback helps improve the show and helps with our visibility as well. The more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it to make it even better. Since we're asking for things . . . we'd also love it if you recommended this show to your friends and colleagues. Your network looks to people like you to learn where to invest their time and attention. We'd love the opportunity to add value to more people in our community.

The Culture of CARE is an program created by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the AGC of Washington to support companies in creating diverse, safe, welcoming, and inclusive job sites and promote diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. Culture of CARE is more than just caring about people; it is asking companies to commit to building work environments where every employee feels valued, respected, and heard through the programs four pillars: Commit, Attract, Retain and Empower. This episode of AGC's ConstructorCast podcast highlights the partnership between AGC and FMI in developing a series of articles that explore how construction firms are successfully implementing the four pillars of Culture of CARE. In this podcast episode, we spotlight the transformative impact of a Culture of CARE's two pivotal pillars: Commit and Empower, specifically in the context of fostering leadership and accountability within construction firms. You will hear from two leading construction firms who share how a steadfast commitment from leadership sets the stage for a culture of inclusion and belonging. We explore how empowering employees at all levels contributes to a sense of responsibility, aligning individual actions with organizational values. Join us to understand how cultivating leadership and accountability through a Culture of CARE not only enhances workplace inclusivity but also propels construction companies toward sustained success. Guests: Michelle Thompson Senior Consultant | FMI Consulting - https://fmicorp.com Bill Aalerud Executive Vice President | Columbia Construction Co. - https://www.columbiacc.com Chair, Board of Directors - AGC of Massachusetts Stephanie Roldan Vice President Learning & Development, Director of Lean Culture | Rosendin Electric - https://www.rosendin.com Co-host Construction DEI Talks: https://constructiondeitalks.com Resources: • Visit www.BuildCulture.org and find out more. • Take the Culture of CARE pledge: https://buildculture.org/commit • See the list of Impact Champions who have already taken the pledge: https://buildculture.org/impact-champions/ • Take the AGC Diversity & Inclusion Assessment - https://www.agc.org/culture-assessment 2023 FMI Talent Study: https://fmicorp.com/insights/industry-insights/2023-fmi-talent-study HERstory Emerging Managers Institute: https://fmicorp.com/consulting/training/herstory-emerging-managers-institute See the article in the latest issue of Constructor Magazine: https://constuctorjanfeb24.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=811684 Direct link to the article at Culture of CARE: https://buildculture.org/commit-to-employee-wellbeing

Mike Dunham has been with AGC Georgia for 27 of his 41 year career as an executive with an AGC chapter. The Shreveport, La.-native grew up on a farm where he and his family raised cotton and soybeans along with being catfish farming pioneers. He first worked with the AGC chapter in Monroe, La., before […] The post Mike Dunham With Associated General Contractors of Georgia appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives, Associated General Contractors of America, and Peggy Smedley talk about the forecast for total construction starts for 2024 and workforce trends. He tells about the organization's annual construction hiring and business outlook. They also discuss: · Which segments will remain strong in 2024. · If there is still a workforce shortage in construction—and trends for 2024. · The construction industry mental health crisis.

A person getting hurt at the workplace is never funny. But it can be instructional to examine some of the strangest ways people manage to become injured at work. Hear about some “interesting” cases.  A schoolteacher whose leg “fell asleep” while he sat in a classroom falls trying to stand up. He broke his femur. Is he entitled to compensation from his employer?  An Amtrak baggage handler was visiting the restroom when someone tossed a firecracker into the room. Startled, he fell and was injured; is Amtrak responsible? How about a city worker who says he picked up a firecracker he found on the job, and it mysteriously exploded, injuring him?  People get hurt at work, but as these and other cases illustrate, it's not always the responsibility of the employer. (And sometimes, workers do silly things…). Mentioned in this Episode: Tom Robinson's Top 10 Bizarre Workers' Comp Cases For 2022 Steven Silberberg v. Palm Beach County Schools Phillip Durance v. National Railroad Passenger Corp aka Amtrak Dylan Junior v. Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Jonathan Hollis v. Acoustics, Inc. and Associated General Contractors of MS, Inc. Donald Weed v. Spraying Systems, Co Stanis v. Workers' Comp. Appeal Bd. (Brand Energy Servs.)  

A person getting hurt at the workplace is never funny. But it can be instructional to examine some of the strangest ways people manage to become injured at work. Hear about some “interesting” cases.  A schoolteacher whose leg “fell asleep” while he sat in a classroom falls trying to stand up. He broke his femur. Is he entitled to compensation from his employer?  An Amtrak baggage handler was visiting the restroom when someone tossed a firecracker into the room. Startled, he fell and was injured; is Amtrak responsible? How about a city worker who says he picked up a firecracker he found on the job, and it mysteriously exploded, injuring him?  People get hurt at work, but as these and other cases illustrate, it's not always the responsibility of the employer. (And sometimes, workers do silly things…). Mentioned in this Episode: Tom Robinson's Top 10 Bizarre Workers' Comp Cases For 2022 Steven Silberberg v. Palm Beach County Schools Phillip Durance v. National Railroad Passenger Corp aka Amtrak Dylan Junior v. Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Jonathan Hollis v. Acoustics, Inc. and Associated General Contractors of MS, Inc. Donald Weed v. Spraying Systems, Co Stanis v. Workers' Comp. Appeal Bd. (Brand Energy Servs.)  

Henrico CTE Now is excited to bring you a new season of awesome content for 2024. For this episode, we're listening back to a few of our terrific guests from 2023. Please enjoy these moments with: Taylor Brannan and Courtney Baker, Associated General Contractors of Virginia; Mary Starr with Shirley Contracting Company and Mac Beaton, HCPS Workforce & Career Development; Makhi Jackson, Line Worker with Dominion Energy; ACE Center Welding instructor Carlos Savory with students Alex and Kemar; and, Elly Coats with Sheehy Auto Stores. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

On this episode of Let's Get Surety®, we talk with Steve Sandherr, CEO of Associated General Contractors of America, who has served the association for more than three decades as he announces his upcoming retirement. Looking back, he talks about his journey to AGC, building and keeping talented teams, and the importance of working with like-minded groups. Steve shares his insights on the commercial construction industry and offers a glimpse at the amazing work that has gone into ConsensusDocs, AGC's educational offerings, and AGC's government relations work that has aided in shaping policies for the benefit of the commercial construction industry, during his tenure. Get more information on AGC of America at www.agc.org. With special guest: Steve Sandherr, CEO, Associated General Contractors of America Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

MCALLEN, Texas - Joey Treviño, executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, was a panelist at a recent summit on apprenticeships.The 2nd Annual Apprenticeship Summit was hosted recently by South Texas College. In his remarks on the STC panel, Treviño said he was proud to have set up a women's committee that promotes women in the construction industry. He also spoke in support of apprenticeships, pointing out that many skilled workers are reaching retirement age. Here is an audio recording of Treviño's remarks at the STC summit. Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service's website to read the full story.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

MCALLEN, Texas - On this, Thanksgiving Day, we would like to give thanks to the Ditch Diggers of America.Joey Treviño, executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, recommended we watch a video on YouTube titled Ditch Diggers.Treviño said he tries to play the video at all the classes he hosts. “It's a poem that a construction worker put together. And I put it in some of the meetings that I put together and I've had people crying,” Treviño explained.The video features a poem by Eric Borden about the importance of people that work in the construction industry and those that make a living through a skilled trade.The caption to the video reads: “After hearing someone refer to people who don't go to college as "ditch diggers" in a not-so-flattering way, Eric was inspired to write a powerful poem that reversed the negative connotation of blue-collar workers. “Eric's poem has inspired many individuals in and out of skilled trades by shining a light on the importance of people who build this world and love what they do. In turn, it inspires acts of kindness, which is how #ThankADitchDigger was born.”Responding to Treviño's request, the Guardian agreed to check out Borden's video and upload it to our website. Which we have.Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website to read the full story.Editor's Note: The attached is an audio recording of our interview with Treviño.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have highlights from ConstructConnect's Fall 2023 Construction Economy Outlook podcast, featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes, American Institute of Architects chief economist Kermit Baker, Associated General Contractors of America chief economist Ken Simonson, and ConstructConnect vice-president of product strategy Claire Stubblefield. Baker looked at leading monthly indicators, the spend on construction of buildings and gave a forecast for the coming year, and Simonson struck an optimistic note and spoke about construction employment, including a declining unemployment rate for the industry. Stubblefield explained the latest non-residential building trends and project volumes in the US and Canada using ConstructConnect research data. Carrick said while he's still optimistic about the state of the economy, he does see some reasons for pessimism, and Guckes talked about the Project Stress Index and highlighted labour productivity concerns and post-COVID oversupply.   If you'd like to watch the entire presentation, go to https://www.constructconnect.com/economic-resources and register to view the video and presentation deck. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with an interview with All Nations United president Mary French is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Construction economists highlight positives amidst gloomy indicators  

Bill's interview with Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs with the Associated General Contractors of America. This is a timely conversation about the challenges facing the construction industry today with 88% of firms reporting that they are having a hard time finding workers due to the workforce shortage. During the conversation, we take a "deep dive" into what caused this shortage of skilled workers, and Brian describes what steps are being taken to revive an industry that is vital to the health of our national economy. One of the initiatives being undertaken is finding creative ways to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce. An example would be the use of social media to reach potential workers who are unfamiliar with the benefits of working in the construction industry. Not only is the construction industry diverse in the opportunities available to learn and practice various trades, it is also a highly paid profession that can result in individual ownership of a company over time. Brian's message truly resonates with Floridians as the FlaSEIA Solar Apprentice Program comes online to recruit and train individuals for a career in the fast growing field of renewable energySupport the show

This Podcast Is Episode 548, And It's About The True Value Of Networking To Contractors And The Community The ability to network is a fundamental part of running a business. Running a business in isolation is difficult, so it helps to have expert partners and acquaintances available to share ideas with.   If you're looking to network with construction industry professionals, there are several ways to do so.   1. Attend industry events: Look for construction industry conferences, expos, and trade shows in your area. These events often have networking opportunities, such as meet-and-greets or after-hours social events.   Conferences are a way to actually meet in person, so the results can be hard to beat. Most conferences have time set aside for networking, allowing you to meet everyone in your niche. More work might involve getting to a conference, but the networking opportunities alone are often worth it. Best results can often be gained by creating a good impression in person, followed by an online contact.   2. Join industry organizations: There are many professional organizations for people in the construction industry, such as the National Association of Home Builders, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the Construction Management Association of America. Joining one of these organizations can give you access to networking events and other resources and benefits.   3. Connect on social media: LinkedIn is an excellent platform for connecting with other professionals in your industry. You can also join LinkedIn groups related to construction and participate in discussions to connect with others.   Podcasts are popular now, so you should consider creating one for your niche audience. Regarding networking, though, a podcast can introduce your personality to relevant experts. Getting an interview might be your priority, but you can get better results if they are tempted to contact you directly. Discussing important industry news and updates will be attractive to industry leaders who are passionate about their niche.   An interview will give you direct contact with an expert, allowing you to make an impression and promote their brand. You might not get every consultation you desire, but most experts seek ways to promote themselves and will oblige. If you can approach them with a credible website, there is a good chance you can get some of their time.   Social media is perfect for networking, mainly when people are open to communicating directly. If you find an active expert in your niche, respond to their questions or comments. By making good contributions, you will quickly be noticed.   4. Attend local business events: Many cities have local chambers of commerce or other business organizations that hold networking events. These can be a great way to meet other professionals in your area and make connections.    5. Volunteer or get involved in your community: Volunteering for a local charity or community organization can connect you with other professionals who share your values and interests. This can be a great way to make connections and build relationships.   When you get a chance, volunteer at your kid's school (or a local school if you don't have children of your own). They may need to make props for a school play or a quick paint job. This will open doors for you to meet parents and teachers who might need home service repair or remodeling.   Remember, networking is about building relationships, not just collecting business cards. Be genuine, be interested in others, and follow up with people after you meet them to continue the conversation.   There are all kinds of groups dedicated to networking. Some are highly structured with performance requirements, exclusive membership, and the payment of dues. Others are free form, come as you please, and no charge.   Not every group is suitable for every kind of business. You will find that some groups may not have connections in the market you are seeking to attract. You will find that some groups have rules that just don't fit with how your business works.   Yet one factor is often overlooked when considering a networking group: does this group offer more long-term or short-term value?   When focusing on short-term value, you see each group member only as a prospect. This limits the business potential of the group because you can't reach beyond the people in the room. If there are only 50 members, and 25 of them fit your prospect profile, what do you do once you have presented to all 25? You can either quit that group to start all over again with another group, or you can take a long-term value approach.   The long-term value of networking groups lies in building strong trusting relationships that will give you influence beyond the people in your immediate group.   Discover Needs   If you are like most people, you are already pretty clear about what you need. You may not be clear on what your business connections need. Do you know anyone who is a good prospect for them? Can you recommend or offer services that will help them? Find out what your contacts need and act to fulfill those needs.   Be generous   Stop looking at every person in your networking group as a potential sale. Especially early on, be more concerned about what you can give than what you can get from these meetings.   Give materially by sponsoring group events, donating to fundraising efforts, or bringing in some bagels for the meeting. Give your time and effort by contributing to a service position, or be free with great ideas and a welcoming smile.   Especially give liberally by helping others make valuable connections. If you can help one of your group members by introducing yourself, do it. If you are generous, the effort will come back to you.   Build trust   People seek out people they can trust. Cultivating trust takes time and effort, but is worth it. When it comes to business, trust is based on three factors:   Value – do you consistently bring value to the relationship?   Dependability – are you the real deal? Can you be depended upon?   Consistency – are you consistent over time? It is harder to develop trust if you are an occasional participant or just passing through.   Hold regular one-on-one meetings with group members. Get to know them, and they will get to know you.   Networking groups provide valuable business allies who can open doors and remove obstacles. Cultivate relationships instead of just asking for sales appointments. Because strong relationships build strong businesses over the long term, this is the most valuable approach to networking.   By implementing these methods, networking will become far more accessible. One of the problems with networking is the effort it can take for no results, but these methods all involve adding value. When an expert can see that you are being helpful first, making a connection becomes smoother.  All it requires is a few people with a reputation to support you, with this social proof adding to your status.   PS   We offer free resources to help you save time and money that you can download and print now.  About The Author: Sharie DeHart, QPA, co-founded Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on managing the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com  

On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and Carly Trout chat with Brynn Huneke, director of diversity and inclusion at Associated General Contractors of America, and Henry Nutt, III, preconstruction executive at Southland Industries. They talk about making a commitment to Culture of Care and being a part of a welcoming, diverse and safe environment. This episode is sponsored by VPO.    Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Peggy Smedley and Ken Simonson, chief economist, the Associated General Contractors of America, talk about if there are factors driving down construction or if there are positive things. He says there has been a huge drop in homebuying, but if you look at housing starts and building permits, it may have bottomed out. They also discuss: The labor shortage and material trends. Three major laws intended to support investment in infrastructure, manufacturing/construction, and renewable power. Advice for construction companies to succeed in today's market. agc.org  (10/3/23 - 841) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Ken Simonson, the Associated General Contractors of America, worker of tomorrow This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast: The Building BITE Episode: September 2023 U.S. Construction Outlook Please tune in to this episode of The Building BITE Podcast, as we hear from industry experts about key topics to help you be successful. The Building BITE hosts Chris Epps, LEED AP and Mike Diercksen, CRIS, welcome Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America of AGC, Ken Simonson. Throughout the episode, Ken dives into AGC's latest construction outlook and addresses hot topics in today's climate, including the labor force, wages, and bid pricing. Ken dives into several compelling statistics throughout the episode, including what he believes will be the trend to look out for as we head into 2024. To learn more about Ken's latest construction report, listen to our full podcast episode with Ken Simonson. Please like, share, and subscribe to this podcast! Links: Connect with Ken on LinkedIn View AGC's website at https://www.agc.org/ Connect with Chris Epps Connect with Mike Diercksen

In this episode, we talk with Courtney Baker, Director of Workforce Training with Associated General Contractors, and Taylor Brannon, Executive Vice President of F. Richard Wilton Contractor. Our discussion covered everything from the importance of Career and Technical Education for companies that hire trade specialists, managers, supervisors, engineers, and all the support staff needed to operate all types of contracting companies. A large part of the discussion is the need for high school and college graduates for their industries and how students can prepare for their future careers by attending Career and Technical Education programs while in middle and high school. We here at Henrico CTE Now love working to bring you this podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at ⁠mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us⁠. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get notified when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

The Labor Department is out with a final rule to update how the government determines wages it will allow in federal construction contractors, as well as in federally assisted construction. The new rule is 812 pages long. It's not sitting well with the construction industry. For one reaction, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with Claiborne Guy, from the trade group Associated General Contractors of America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Labor Department is out with a final rule to update how the government determines wages it will allow in federal construction contractors, as well as in federally assisted construction. The new rule is 812 pages long. It's not sitting well with the construction industry. For one reaction, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with Claiborne Guy, from the trade group Associated General Contractors of America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 21 of The CM Mentors Podcast, Matt Graves and Kyle Grandell chat with Jennifer Lacy (Lean Practice Leader at Robins & Morton) and Jesse Hernandez (Member at Depth Builder LLC). In addition to all the other amazing things they are doing for the industry, they are the duo behind No BS with Jen & Jess. Where they Livestream every other Saturday morning to “break through the surface and discover depths of vulnerability” and invite the audience to participate in the conversation. Follow them on Linkedin for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-bs-with-jen-jess/If you know anything about these two you know that you don't know where the conversation is going to go, but the conversation is most definitely going to be real and raw. This podcast is no exception. We chat about:* The Jen & Jess Origin Story* The People Side of Work* Benefits of Being Vulnerable* Tips on How to Get Started Doing “Something”* Jesse's Real-Life “Ripples of Impact” Story* “Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be” * Check out Jesse's Second 1st book here: https://amzn.to/3CSwq8o* Women in the Construction IndustryListen on your Favorite Podcast platform orWatch the interview on YouTube:About Jennifer:Jennifer Lacy has been in the construction industry for 20 years and is Robins & Morton's Building Forward® Lean Practice Leader. She is responsible for the continued advancement of the company's Building Forward® approach, which is based on a culture of caring and Lean philosophies. Jennifer is committed to helping build relationships and elevate all people in our industry and bridge the gaps in our industry to help better serve every single person that impacts our work. She is a published author and illustrator, hosts a weekly YouTube livestream, No BS with Jen & Jess, with Jesse Hernandez, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences such as Lean Congress, Associated General Contractors' Annual Conference, Healthcare Facilities Symposium and more. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from Texas A&M University-Commerce.To Connect with Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlacy/About Jesse:Jesse was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio Texas. The landscape of his Career ranges from grading ditches to counseling Executives. His trek through the Org Charts has helped him appreciate that we are more alike than we are different. Jesse is committed to Enhancing the Image of Careers in the Trades. His message is one of Contribution, Ownership, and Vulnerability. This message is visible in his podcast Learnings and Missteps, his book Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be, and the Live Stream experience known as No BS with Jen & Jess.To Connect with Jesse: https://www.depthbuilder.com/https://depthbuilder.bio.link/Check out their books and get a clip of Jesse's Second 1st book here:https://www.depthbuilder.com/books Get full access to Construction Yeti at constructionyeti.substack.com/subscribe

A career in construction can be very financially rewarding, but many are hesitant to enter the career that doesn't require a college degree. This has led to a shortage of workers, and solving this shortage requires some entrepreneurial thinking. In this episode, Associated General Contractors of America's Brian Turmail provides a look at some of the model community college programs around the nation that encourage students to choose a career in construction and achieve their education goals, too.This episode was originally released on October 12, 2022.Ready to move forward with NACCE? Learn more about the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship.Follow NACCE on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Watch this episode on YouTube!

The skilled trades and the construction industry built this country. For more than 100 years, the Associated General Contractors of Michigan has served this industry in many ways. Joining Chris to tell us more about the AGC is their Director of Workforce Development, Anne Brown!

What are the top issues we face when recruiting Gen Z into the construction industry? What are some ways we can use our experiences to resonate with younger generations? Join host Todd and guest Erin Volk as they discuss the importance of storytelling, the best ways to increase diversity in the industry, common misconceptions around the trades, and more. Erin Volk is the Senior Vice President of Workforce & Community Development for the Associated General Contractors of California, which represents more than 1000 construction companies and construction related firms throughout California. She currently holds a seat on the AGC of America Construction Careers Taskforce.

Brandon Anderson, Vice President of Safety at Associated General Contractors, and Ricky Reams, Vice President of Safety and Quality with Murphy Company, highlight initiatives that are addressing mental health, suicide prevention, and substance misuse in the construction industry. The pair reveal how hard discussions are saving lives and emphasize the real change that's occurring in the field.

March 3, 2023 - Associated General Contractors of New York State President Mike Elmendorf analyzes the infrastructure proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget and discusses a proposes toll hike for the state thruway system.

Jimmy Christianson, Vice President of Government Relations for Associated General Contractors of America describes the roles played by the elected members of the Missouri delegation in Washington DC.Support the showLearn more at www.agcmo.org Please share our podcast with anyone interested in the construction industry!

Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, says in The Big Interview that the economic data showing that both the economy and inflation are running hotter than expected is going to force the Federal reserve to make some moves that are more likely to trigger not just a recession but a harder landing for the economy. Bostjancic says the Fed has plenty of reason to keep tightening and the markets are starting to price in a bigger rate hike for the March meeting; if February economic data shows continued economic heat, the central bank's response could be the catalyst for a more protracted downturn. But not all economists agree with Bostjancic -- or with each other for that matter -- as shown when Ken Simonson, chief economist for Associated General Contractors of America discusses the latest Outlook survey from the National Association for Business Economics, released today and showing that there is no strong consensus for how the current situation will play out. Plus, Kyle Guske of New Constructs puts DoorDash in the Danger Zone, noting that it's a zombie stock already well down from 2021 peaks but likely to deliver a second helping of losses as it sinks to a very low fair value. And Stan Haithcock, 'Stan the Annuity Man' joins Chuck to answer a question about a listener's pending pension-versus-annuity decision.

Construction was Eddie Stewart's first job, and he never looked back. Now President and CEO of Caddell Construction, Eddie shares his insights from 40+ years in the industry with Dirk Haire, Co-Chair of Fox Rothschild's national Construction Law Practice, and Brian Perlberg of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Together, they discuss Eddie's views on the workforce, inflation and supply chain problems that are plaguing construction, as well what the future holds with the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Eddie also explains how stumbling into a mentorship was the best move of his career and gives advice on how to succeed as a construction executive.

Looking for an update on the state of the construction industry? In this episode of The Constructor's Podcast, Ken Simonson, Chief Economist at the Associated General Contractors of America, shares his insights on the industry's current state and what the future holds. Learn about the challenges the industry is facing, such as labor shortages and increased materials costs, as well as the opportunities present in 2023. This is a must-listen for anyone in construction. Key Takeaways: The current state of the economy and how it is impacting the construction industry The expected rebound of the economy in 2023 and the resulting growth in the construction industry The challenges the construction industry is facing in attracting workers and the measures being taken to address those challenges The importance of promoting women in construction and helping to fill the shortage of capable management and leadership resources The range of services, events and training offered by the AGC

The latest episode of the Business Brief podcast digs into how regulation of banks and credit unions poses challenges to obtaining capital for cannabis businesses — and how that might affect the marijuana industry in Missouri. Then, the podcast features a conversation with Brandon Anderson from the Associated General Contractors of Missouri about efforts to promote mental health and reduce suicide in the construction industry.

Justin Fitzpatrick, co-founder of Income Lab, says that while investors and retirement savers are starting to freak out about what the market has done to their portfolio values, they should be considering instead whether recent declines have actually impacted their ability to afford the retirement lifestyle they're planning. Funding your lifestyle is what matters in retirement, Fitzpatrick says, while movements in the market are fleeting and may not have much impact on retirement income. Zoe Barry of Zingeroo looks at how investors on the platform have been changing their behaviors in current markets, noting that many younger investors have turned away from the things they know and are comfortable with -- which was pushing them toward meme stocks and popular names -- to broaden out their holdings now. Also on the show, Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America discusses the National Association for Business Economics July 2022 Business Conditions Survey released today, and David Trainer of New Constructs puts SNAP Inc. back in the Danger Zone, saying the big losses it has suffered don't make it immune from losing the rest of its value.

In this week's episode of the Future Construct Podcast (20 min interview), we  feature Todd Mustard, Vice President at The Association of Union Constructors (TUAC) (@TAUCbuilt), and our host Amy Peck (@AmyPeckXR). As Vice President, Todd coordinates the government affairs activities of the association, serving as staff liaison to TAUC's Government Affairs Committee, and working with various legislative coalitions including the Construction Employers of America (@CEABuilds), the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency (@CHPAlliance), the Carbon Capture Coalition (@CCSTechFacts), and the Energy4Us Coalition. Todd also leads the association's efforts as it relates to industry innovation and technology, serving as the staff liaison to TAUC's Innovation and Technology Committee. He is the point person for the annual TAUC Leadership Conference, Industrial Grade Innovation (IGI) Conference and Expo, and State of the Union Construction Industry Forum, creating the agendas and content for these events. He is the project lead on TAUC's Legacy Partner Program, as well as new and existing affinity programs, and other member products and services.Highlights of Todd's interview with host Amy Peck (@AmyPeckXR) include:Addressing some of the industry challenges, and how technology can solve them, as well as some of the initiatives Todd is working on directly or indirectlyBridging the knowledge gap, and where Todd sees some of the innovations coming on that sideHow technology is going to be really important in enticing the next generation's workforceWhat some of the cool jobs Todd is sees evolving now, that our kids can shape for the futureOver the last two decades Todd has helped market and promote the members of TAUC and the signatory contractors, international and local unions, and owner/clients who participate and use the National Maintenance Agreements. He has been lobbying for changes on Capitol Hill that would better the U.S.construction industry, and the people who work in it. For the last several years, Todd has been working to connect companies, people and ideas to help push the industry forward as it relates to the adoption of new innovation and technology. In addition to his role at TAUC, Todd also serves as the Vice President for the National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee, Inc. (NMAPC) and as a board member for the Associated General Contractors of California.SHOW NOTES0:12  - Amy Peck introduces Todd Mustard, Vice President at The Association of Union Contractors.02:33  - Moving away from communication, it seems you now have your finger on the pulse of innovation as well, and are really looking at addressing some of the industry challenges, and how technology can solve them. What are some of the initiatives you're working on directly or indirectly, and what are you seeing in terms of great use of technology in this realm?8:53  - We talked a little bit about how we bridge the knowledge gap, and you have been front and center, so I'd love to see where you see some of the innovations coming on that side?11:43  - Technology is going to really important in enticing the next generation workforce. In fact if you don't have emerging technology, you're not going to be able to attract this next generation workforce, so how is the industry tackling that piece of it as well?15:26  - What would you say to your future kids, 20 years from now, about what types of careers are available for them to look at? You mentioned 3D printing, prefabrication, engineering. What are some of the cool jobs you see evolving now, that our kids now can shape?18:27  - If you could project yourself 20 years into the future, and if you could have any product or service or gadget or thing, that for you, would make your life better or make you personally happy, what would it be and what would it do?

Surprise Workforce Surge for Builders!The construction industry is reporting good news about the worker shortage. The Associated Builders and Contractors group says there's been a surge of workers returning to the industry, and the workforce size is almost what it was at the start of the pandemic. But even with that progress, the workforce gap is still an issue. (1)Hi, I'm Kathy Fettke and this is Real Estate News for Investors. If you like our podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review.The Labor Department says the industry added 60,000 jobs last month, in February. Nonresidential construction added about 29,000 of those jobs for an annual increase of 3.9%. Residential construction added about 31,000 jobs for an annual increase of 4.5%. That brings the total number of construction workers to 7.6 million but the industry still has many positions to fill. The unemployment rate for the construction industry is currently at 6.7%. That's almost twice the rate of unemployment for the population in general, which is running at 3.8%.State Data on Construction JobsIf you break the data down into states, the Associated General Contractors of America says that construction employment is ‘higher” than pre-pandemic levels in 29 states and “lower” in 21 states, plus Washington, D.C. According to that organization, some states are still reporting record low employment numbers for the construction industry. (2)The association's chief economist, Ken Simonson, says: “The scramble for workers is likely to drive wages and overtime costs even higher at the same time rising materials prices are cutting into already tight margins.”Although the worker shortage continues, the February numbers are a good sign. ABC's chief economist Anirban Basu says: “Bottom line: The U.S. economy is charging into the post-pandemic world with significant momentum, and nonresidential construction is part of that story.” He says there's evidence that “contractors have had a somewhat easier time filling available positions recently” and that “supply chain issues have improved slightly.”National Construction Workforce GapAgain, that kind of scenario will vary from state to state. And there is still a dire need for construction workers across the U.S. ABC estimates that the industry needs another 650,000 workers to help the industry catch up with housing market demand. But Basu believes that 2022 will be a strong year.Of course the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a big variable. That is pushing prices higher for some things, like gas, and causing new supply chain issues. Basu also points out that the government won't be spending as much money this year, despite plans for infrastructure upgrades.AGC of America CEO Stephen Sandherr says that construction firms will have to pass along additional costs and that developers “should not be punished for failing to foresee a Russian invasion, spiking oil prices and soaring inflation when preparing public works bids.”Rapid Workforce GrowthSo there are still headwinds from various directions but there are also signs of optimism. Basu says: “At the heart of America's economic momentum is rapid workforce growth, with more people re-entering the workforce to take advantage of higher wages and to better contend with rapidly rising prices.”If you'd like to read more on this topic, you'll find links in the show notes at newsforinvestors.comAlso, please remember to hit the subscribe button, and leave a review!You can also join our real estate investor network for free at newsforinvestors.com. That gives you access to the Investor Portal where you'll find information on rental markets and sample property pro-formas. You can also connect with our experienced investment counselors, property teams, lenders, 1031 exchange facilitators, attorneys, CPAs and more.Thanks for listening. I'm Kathy Fettke...Show Notes link: https://www.newsforinvestors.comJoin link: https://join.realwealth.com/?utm_content=Real%20Estate%20News%20Podcast&utm_campaign=Join%20for%20Free&utm_term=Description%20Text%20LinkSubscribe link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-news-real-estate-investing-podcast/id1079952715Links:1 - https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/entryid/19274/construction-employment-surges-in-february-to-near-pre-pandemic-levels-says-abc2 - https://www.agc.org/news/2022/03/14/construction-employment-remains-below-pre-pandemic-levels-21-states-and-dc-spiking-materials-price