And what’s interesting is, this plays
out in the workforce. Now we have young professionals saying, “hey life is short, the world is unpredictable. Tere isn’t a lot I can control in my life but what I can control is how I spend my time and who I spend my time with.” We’re seeing this real outcry, this
demand for really great work experi- ences. People are now pursuing not just a job but an actual relationship. Tey want to feel that they belong, that they are making a meaningful contribution, that they are appreciated and valued in the workplace.”
California Constructor.
Q A
What solutions can industry provide to bring more workers into construc- tion and create a reliable workforce pipeline?
Sarah Sladek.
Tere are a couple of solutions to think about. Te first one is to align with your local schools or some sort of youth initiative. Organizations are having to find their own talent, to build their own talent pipeline. Tat quest for talent has become
extremely competitive. Construction is going up against other industries – technology, military, whatever the case may be. So, the ticket is to begin to forge those relationships and to build awareness about what construction is and what opportunities it provides. Construction companies have to
figure out how do we get in front of youth, build alliances with youth, teach youth about this career as an option. It’s getting really creative to think about how we can educate youth about our industry. Te other piece I think is further
up the ladder with young professionals. Construction companies need to really empower those young professionals to help them tell the story. Peer-to-peer relationships, marketing, outreach is by far the most powerful. Breaking down some of stereotypes about construction,
www.AGC-CA.org
Build California is going to help with training, with preparing workforces for future generations, and building stronger teams. That’s going to help with productivity in California and throughout the construction industry overall. It’s going to help them retain talent and recruit talent. I think it’s a really admirable initiative, and I hope that other states and other industries follow suit.
showing it is a very vibrant, viable career option that pays well, that gives you opportunities to take the lead, learn leadership skills, be creative, be part of a team.
California Constructor.
Do you think Build California can fill the gap? And how do you see it being different than other efforts out there?
Sarah Sladek.
I am really inspired and excited about the Build California initiative. If I had to predict the future, I think that is what other states, other industries are going to start doing. Tey are going to start being proactive about workforce development because we have to be. Tere is no other solution right now until schools begin to revamp their curriculum, which is really big process. Organizations are going to have to take the lead, be the solution, and drive awareness. You’ve got to recruit that talent
pipeline, but also have to make sure we are keeping talent. Tat’s another piece to all of this. Nationally, we’re losing $30.5 billion annually (throughout
multiple industries) to employee turnover among individuals under the age of 35. Tis points to a bigger gap in the workforce. Something is happening that is leading to that turnover. It can be variety of things. Maybe
they thought they would have more opportunity to lead or more oppor- tunity for flexible hours, or they would feel part of team right away and don’t. Te solution to all of that is being able to train some of the managers and young professionals coming in on understanding, bridging the communi- cation and generational gaps that have naturally emerged in the workforce. Build California is going to
help with training, with preparing workforces for future generations, and building stronger teams. Tat’s going to help with productivity in California and throughout the construction industry overall. It’s going to help them retain talent and recruit talent. I think it’s a really admirable initiative, and I hope that other states and other indus- tries follow suit.
California Constructor.
Q Q A
A
XYZ University plans to partner with Build California on some training initiatives. Can you give us a preview on some of the new training you will be involved with?
Sarah Sladek.
At XYZ University, we provide some of the workforce generational training and employee engagement training. We are going to be bringing some of that training to the Build California platform – a combination of live, in-person training as well as virtual training, giving companies the option to log in, watch a short video and have a short assignment or discussion piece that they can work on as a team or as a management group. Companies will learn something quickly, immediately be able to apply it to their workforce, and as result begin to create change.
Associated General Contractors of California 13
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