AGC Constructor
Skillwork
Top News
  
 
We can all learn something from Chinmay Lad, whose potent dreams of a civil engineering career, of an industry-wide "digital revolution," inspired him to join the ranks of those who have earned their Certificate of Management — Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM) designation. He is the 1,000th person to do so. Lad, a 23-year-old grad student, is in the process of creating his future, of realizing goals and aspirations. And in the process, he’s bringing his father’s long-held hopes to life. Read more in our January/February cover story.
  
Despite signs the overall economy may be slowing, most construction firms expect demand for their services and hiring will expand in 2020, yet even more firms are worried about their ability to find qualified workers to hire, according to survey results released recently by AGC of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. The findings are detailed in Strong Demand for Work Amid Stronger Demand for Workers: The 2020 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Report.
  
There are less than 60 days left until we kick off this year's AGC Convention! Jumpstart your business planning and preparation, and make the connections that are going to be most valuable in your career in the years ahead at the 2020 AGC Convention. Don't miss out on taking the next step in preparing for the industry of tomorrow. Register today.
Procore
ClarkDietrich Building Systems
Cut Your Truck & Equipment Costs
GPS Insight
Without technology in place that helps monitor how your business spends money and areas to scale back spending, your operating costs are likely much higher than they should be. By using GPS tracking technology you can reduce your 3 highest costs- fuel, labor, and maintenance. We zero in on how three businesses managed to significantly reduce their costs, making their businesses much more successful.
To learn how, read this brief article.
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Advocacy
Trump administration proposal to reform the federal environmental review process will fix problems with current process while maintaining environmental rigor, construction officials say

Steve Sandherr, chief executive officer of AGC of America, issued the following statement in reaction to the recent release of the administration’s proposal to reform the National Environmental Protection Act permitting process: “The administration is right to seek to make the review process more efficient and cost effective without sacrificing environmental protections, thereby allowing the public to receive and benefit from cleaner water, safer roads and bridges, and a more reliable energy system in a timelier fashion. Upon initial review, this proposal appears to do just that.
Construction Economic News
Survey finds optimism about 2020 along with even tighter labor supply as construction unemployment sets record December low; Association calls for government to boost career opportunities, immigration
 
Construction employment increased by 20,000 jobs in December and by 151,000, or 2.0 percent, in all of 2019, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that its recent survey found three out of four contractors expect to keep adding workers in 2020, but even more respondents found it difficult to fill positions in 2019, and a majority anticipate it will be as hard or harder to do so in 2020. Officials called on the federal government to increase funding for career and technical education and expand employment-based immigration for workers whose skills are in short supply.
ATTENTION CONTRACTORS
Chicago Department of Aviation
Request for Information (RFI) from Contractors for the
Residential Sound Insulation Program
 
SPECIFICATION NO:                1204115
RESPONSE DEADLINE:           December 18, 2020
QUESTION DEADLINE:            November 20, 2020                           
Learn More
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
  
With a goal to equip students with the employability and technical skills required for employment and/or advanced training in construction and related fields, the Riverchase Career Connection Skilled Trades Academy in Birmingham, Alabama, is off to a great start.
BY LISA KOPOCHINSKI
Autodesk
Business Tips
The AGC Business Development Best Practices are an ongoing effort of the AGC Business Development Forum Steering Committee to bring more BD resources and best practices to the AGC membership.
 
In the A/E/C industry, your employees are your most important asset. These are the folks providing the firm’s services and interacting with your clients. In turn, your employees’ perceptions and experiences with your firm are transferred to the clients with whom they work. If your employees are rallied around a cohesive business strategy and a shared sense of purpose, the brand will radiate meaning from the most authentic source: the people who work there. In our latest, AGC Business Development Best Practice, Christine White, R&M Consultants, discusses how “Proactive Internal Communication Drives Firm Success.
 
Interested in more tips and resources in Business Development? Visit the AGC Business Development Forum page and click on “Join the Forum.
Sensera Systems
Member News
Bob Shell, former Baldwin & Shell president and current chairman emeritus, passed away earlier this year at 88 years old after a battle with cancer. Bob was a pioneer for the industry, a strong leader, a devoted family man and an inspiring philanthropist.
  
J. David (Dave) Pepper, 59, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at his home in Barrington, Illinois. He was born in Evanston on January 15, 1960, to Richard and Roxelyn Pepper. He was a civil engineering graduate of Iowa State University, where he met his wife, Katy, and he served as CEO of Pepper Construction Group, an AGC-Indiana member. Dave lived his life in service to others and was widely known for his kindness and generosity.
  
Skanska, a global construction and development firm and member of multiple AGC chapters, will renovate ASHRAE’s new global headquarters in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.
PHOTO CREDIT: ASHRAE
  
McCarthy Building Companies, a member of multiple AGC chapters, has completed construction of the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, a 120,000-sq-ft, two-story attraction built inside the footprint of a nearly 500,000-sq-ft 19th century iron umbrella train shed designated a National Historic Landmark. The grand opening was Christmas Day 2019.
Everything you need. Plus Equipment.
United Rentals
From safety/operator training and equipment management technologies, to custom solutions engineered to meet specialized job requirements, United Rentals offers much more than just the wor'ds largest rental fleet. It takes a lot to get the job done right. We're here to help.
UnitedRentals.com 800.UR.RENTS
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Industry Events
  

 

January 15-17, 2020
AGC Construction Safety & Health Conference
Austin, Texas

January 27-29, 2020
AGC’s 2020 Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management
Bonita Springs, Florida

 January 19-24, 2020
Construction Project Manager Course
4 p.m. (Friday) to 2:30 p.m. (Thursday)
Atlanta, Georgia

February 5-7, 2020
AGC Safety Management Training Course (SMTC)
Irondale, Alabama

January 20-24, 2020
AGC’s Project Manager Development Program 2nd Edition
San Antonio, Texas

March 9-12, 2020
2020 AGC Convention
Las Vegas, Nevada

 

For details on any event, please visit the Hiring Our Heroes Calendar.
 

January 21-22, 2020
AMPLIFY Hampton Roads
AMPLIFY is an exclusive two-day event that leads a cadre of 45 military spouses through intensive career preparation, professional development, and networking. Applications are required as cadre size is limited.

February 24, 2020
Camp Foster Military Spouse Employment Symposium
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. JT
February 26, 2020
Kadena Air Base Military Spouse Employment Symposium
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. JT

February 11, 2020 
Minneapolis-St. Paul Hiring Expo with the Minnesota Wild
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT
Xcel Energy Center

 February 24-25, 2020
Camp Foster Career Summit

February 26-27, 2020
Kadena Air Base Career Summit 

February 18-19, 2020
AMPLIFY Colorado Springs
AMPLIFY is an exclusive two-day event that leads a cadre of 45 military spouses through intensive career preparation, professional development, and networking. Applications are required as cadre size is limited.

February 25, 2020
Fayetteville GROW Military Spouse Hiring Event
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET
Fayetteville State University
 
Merchants Bonding Co.