How to Create a Better Construction Industry for Black Employees
Date Posted: February 25, 2021
Posted In: Ideas, Workforce,
From Digital Builder: Black individuals have made countless and incredible contributions to the construction industry. Still, they are drastically underrepresented in the industry. Today, Black people only comprise 6% of the U.S. construction workforce.
We all have the responsibility to create a stronger, more inclusive construction industry. But it takes more than just good intention. Companies can talk the talk, but it’s due time they walk the walk when it comes to Black and person of color (POC) representation in the construction industry.
The time has come to make diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives impactful and measurable. So, where can your firm start? We asked professionals to provide real and actionable tips for hiring, retaining, and promoting Black and POC individuals at construction firms. We’ve organized their insight by these three categories:
“The first and, in my opinion, most important step is to acknowledge there is a lack of diversity in your organization. The second is to make increasing diversity a company initiative. When it comes to increasing the candidate pool from which to hire Black professionals, one must post job ads with organizations focused on promoting the growth of Black professionals and Black-owned businesses such as the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Companies should also recruit graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and create partnerships to establish a candidate pipeline for the future.” – Dr. Anthony Taylor, President, Engineering Design Technologies Inc. (EDT)