Built for Growth Episode 1: Diversity in Construction

In our new YouTube series, Built for Growth, we talk with experts about some of the biggest issues facing the construction and manufacturing industries. For our first episode, we were honored to have Loretta Calvin, Diversity & Inclusion expert and CEO of Monroe Strategic Business Solutions, join us to discuss diversity in construction.

It is no surprise that construction faces a diversity issue. The stereotype of a white, male, middle-aged construction worker has been largely accurate for decades.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction professional workforce breaks down like this, in terms of diversity:

• 9.9% women
• 6.2% Black
• 2% Asian
• 30.7% Hispanic/Latino

Why diversity in construction matters

Calvin spells out why construction business owners need to invest in diversity and inclusion. For one thing, the workforce is aging out of the business. The median age of a US construction worker is 42. Investing in diversity efforts can open up new pools of talent.

Construction is a great career track, with an industry average salary of just over $53,000, plenty of career stability and opportunities for upward mobility. With expertise in a construction trade, construction management, or construction administrative services, you can work almost anywhere in the country, or even the world.

According to Calvin, the industry should invest in training and educational programs for high-school students, women, and other under-represented groups, in order to increase awareness about construction as a career track and build early relationships with future recruits.

• Diversity also opens up new opportunities for government and municipal projects. General contractors and large subcontractors can partner with minority-owned businesses to win government contracts, which often have diversity workforce requirements.

Last but certainly not least, investing in diversity and inclusion supports your business’s productivity, workplace culture, and innovation.

If you are interested in working with Loretta Calvin and Monroe Strategic Business Solutions, click here to send an email.