Why Workplace Inclusion is the Future of the Construction Industry

By Ray Sedey , chairman and CEO of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

As we wrap up #ConstructionInclusionWeek, I’m inspired by the construction industry’s continued commitment to advancing inclusion and belonging in our workplaces, on our jobsites and in our offices. By participating in Construction Inclusion Week, thousands of firms across the country reinforced their commitments to cultivating company cultures that celebrate the unique qualities of the millions of workers who enrich our industry, helping ensure that our industry is inclusively attractive for everyone. As the 2024 chair of Construction Inclusion Week, I am heartened to see so many firms remain steadfast in their commitment to inclusion strategies that foster innovation, resilience and the future of work.

More Than a Moment

Construction Inclusion Week stretches far beyond a weeklong observance by helping firms foster a year-round culture of inclusivity that resonates through every project and practice. Now in its fourth year, Construction Inclusion Week is an industry-wide effort to not only raise awareness about the importance of diverse and inclusive teams, but to foster continuous learnings by providing practical and actionable resources that build a more inclusive construction industry where a sense of belonging exists across environments.

Each firm has a unique journey toward becoming more inclusive, and Construction Inclusion Week provides a platform to spark dialogue and inspire action that moves our industry collectively toward a more equitable future. Attracting, retaining and developing the finest talent, alongside maximizing supplier diversity, remains at the heart of this effort.

A Workforce Inflection Point

Our workforce — the heart of our industry — is at an inflection point. According to NCCER , 41% of the current construction workforce plans to retire by 2031 – that’s seven years from now. Our ability to continue recruiting, developing and retaining top talent rests on our commitment to creating workplaces that embrace diverse experiences, commit to being places where everyone can succeed without barriers to professional growth for people of all backgrounds.

As we navigate the shifting dynamics and workforce shortages in our industry, now is the time to foster opportunities for those from underrepresented communities in our industry. Diversity of thought is a driver for innovation, adaptability and business growth. Not only is it imperative for our workforce today, but it is imperative for building a strong, sustainable future for our industry.

Construction Inclusion Week 2024 Milestones & Highlights

This year, Construction Inclusion Week participation remained strong with more than 5,000 registered representatives from every U.S. state and international markets including Canada, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru and United Arab Emirates. More than 3,000 companies including 80% of the ENR Top 50 Contractors participated in Construction Inclusion Week 2024, which focused workforce development activities on the key themes of commitment and accountability, belonging, supplier diversity, workplace culture and community engagement. This year’s curriculum reinforced these themes with content, planning guides and activities that provided participants with actionable resources to increase diversity and authentic representation at every level of an organization.

The program also provided new planning resources like installations and hands-on activities as well as visual and experiential installations. Construction Inclusion Week also hosted regional networking events in Baltimore, Kansas City and?Los Angeles to engage members of the built environment and teach industry professions how to implement the curriculum to foster real change.

Building a Strong Future

As Construction Inclusion Week continues to gain momentum with firms across the globe, I am reminded of the tremendous progress our industry has made and continues to make toward creating a more inclusive workplace, not only for contractors, but for architects, engineers, service providers, suppliers and more across the industry.

The progress made over the past four years is just the beginning. Continued commitment is essential for building a workforce that represents the diverse world we live in. The construction industry is vital to the health, growth and culture of a community, so it is imperative that project teams reflect the communities in which those projects are built.

Inclusion is not a trend; it is the future of work. Although we continue to make progress toward a more inclusive future, there’s still more work to be done. To learn more about Construction Inclusion Week and access resources that can be implemented all year long, visit www.constructioninclusionweek.com.