May 25th, 2020
by Associated General Contractors of America

The following is a news release from the Associated General Contractors of America announcing its new “Culture of CARE” program.

 

The Associated General Contractors of America is launching a new, nationwide program designed to help expand the diversity of the industry by making job sites more inclusive. The new program, called Culture of CARE (commit, attract, retain and empower), is designed to help firms create more welcoming workplace environments for staff, particularly those from diverse demographic backgrounds.  

“We are asking companies to take bold and visible steps toward creating a more diverse, safe, welcoming and inclusive construction industry,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. This new program will help firms attract the kind of diverse staff that research shows help construction firms become more innovative, safe, effective and profitable. 

The new Culture of CARE program calls on construction firms to sign a pledge to create more welcoming and inclusive workplace cultures. After firms sign the pledge, the association will work with them to provide training and suggested human resources practices designed to help them put action behind their pledge and establish more inclusive workplaces. There are also broader educational materials available from the Culture of CARE program, including sample HR policies, toolbox talks, job site posters and hardhat stickers. 

Sandherr noted that the national Culture of CARE program is based on a program first launched by the association’s AGC of Washington chapter in the Pacific Northwest. The national association’s Diversity & Inclusion Council evaluated the Washington state program and determined that it was a powerful tool to support the industry’s efforts to become more diverse and inclusive. 

The association unveiled the new Culture of CARE program in March during its annual convention in Las Vegas. Association officials added that it was part of a broader strategy to make the construction industry more diverse and inclusive. In addition to the new program, the association has already released its Business Case for Diversity & Inclusion in the Construction Industry, which provides the economic, safety and productivity rationale for expanding construction diversity. 

“Culture of CARE has the potential to support a broad expansion of the diversity of the construction industry,” said Rita Brown, the chair of the association’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. “We want to provide the tools firms need to recruit, retain and support people of all backgrounds.” 

For more information about the Culture of CARE program, please visit http://www.buildculture.org.

 

Click here to read the full release.

About the Author
The Associated General Contractors of America works to ensure the continued success of the commercial construction industry by advocating for federal, state and local measures that support the industry; providing opportunities for firms to learn about ways to become more accomplished; and connecting them with the resources and individuals they need to be successful businesses and corporate citizens. Over 27,000 firms, including more than 7,000 of America’s leading general contractors, nearly 9,000 specialty-contracting firms and almost 11,000 service providers and suppliers belong to the association through its nationwide network of chapters.