Industry Articles

Beyond looking for symptoms, employers can also take a proactive approach that the APA says entails a “sustained commitment of engaging workers by distributing resources, tools, and programs through multiple channels.”

All it takes is a cursory glance at an active construction site to see how inherently dangerous this line of work can be. It’s a fast-paced industry that can entail everything from operating heavy equipment and hazardous chemicals to working at extreme heights. One wrong move can literally be a matter of life and death. And that’s assuming you’re completely sober.

Stop us if you’ve heard this story before. Construction firms nationwide are feeling the pinch of the nation’s inability to prepare workers for blue-collar careers. Demand is high, but supply is low.

In business, particularly in the highly competitive construction industry, “branding” and “advertising” are often used interchangeably. However, these two concepts serve distinct purposes and impact a company’s success differently. Contractors who understand the differences between branding and advertising are well-positioned to do both successfully.

A common gripe throughout the construction industry is that contractors can’t find, reach, hire, and train workers quickly enough to keep up with demand. However, as some companies are discovering, there is an opportunity to bridge that workforce gap through worker reentry programs.

To get a general sense of what companies should look for when creating a mentorship program, we spoke with John Gronski, a retired two-star major general who spent 40 years in the Army and now freelances as a leadership consultant.