Construction Inclusion

Chicago Launches $7B Plan to Transform Sports Arena Neighborhood

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:29:00 -0400

What firms are part of the construction team tapped for the United Center-area redevelopment project expected to transform 55 acres over the next 15 years?

Give Momentum to Your Career at ENR GWIC, June 14-16 in San Diego

rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:00:00 -0400

There’s still time to sign up for the GWIC experience in leadership skill building, career pathways, networking and real-world solutions for your workplace!

10 Minutes with Gretchen Gagel, CEO of New International Institute for Women in Construction

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:25:00 -0400

In a 40-plus-year career as an owner and construction advisor, activist aims to reshape how women enter the sector and progress careers by uniting recruitment and retention efforts through research.

Family Remembers Welder’s Spark for Skilled Trades Career

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Minnesota welder Amber M. Czech had barely launched what seemed a promising career in the skilled trades before a co-worker cut her life short last year at age 20.

Award of Excellence Winner Judaline Cassidy: Empowering Girls to Consider Careers in Construction

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

First-generation immigrant is changing industry perceptions and leading girls to pursue new paths for the future.

Ten Minutes With David Cayemitte, CEO of Embrace Partners and the Minority Business Development Institute

choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:05:00 -0500

Executive discusses launch of MBDI University and how he is empowering small firms with education and access to capital.

Online Program Launched to Boost Skills, Bonding for Small and Disadvantaged Firms

choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:30:00 -0500

Classes and consultations aim to transform small business owners into strong construction executives through a comprehensive curriculum.

DOT Shares Guidance Around Major DBE Rule Change

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:38:41 -0400

Interim final rule issued this month eliminates sex- and race-based presumptions for firms to qualify as disadvantaged business enterprises.

USDOT Removes Race and Sex From DBE Qualifications With Hard-launched Rule

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:52:38 -0400

The sudden change in DBE contracting rules has created uncertainty for both small firms and prime contractors that subcontract with them.

Feds Freeze $18B for NYC Subway, Hudson Tunnel Projects

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:22:30 -0400

U.S. Dept. of Transportation issued new DBE rule without comment and announced review of New York DBE practices.

ARX Offers Personal Protective Equipment Sized for Women Only

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:22:00 -0400

Boston startup founded by two women engineering grads is designing safety PPE just for women in construction and other high-risk fields.

St. Louis Stops Certifying MBE and WBE Construction Contracts

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

In halting Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise goals, Mayor Cara Spencer cites new Trump administration rules that could withhold or cut funding for cities that offer such programs.

Boston Pre-College STEM Program Unveils Maker Space

jriceenr@gmail.com (Justin Rice) — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

A Boston-based nonprofit unveiled its dedicated maker space.

Lawsuit Alleges DBE Fraud on $3.6B Brent Spence Bridge Project

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:15:09 -0400

Jamir Davis, a Kentucky civil rights attorney has filed a lawsuit against Walsh- Kokosing JV, the Ohio Dept. of Transportation claiming he was shut out of a DBE role in the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project.

SkillsUSA Sells Gen Z on Work in Tech‑Driven Building Trades

gottliebb@enr.com (Bryan Gottlieb) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

With labor shortages mounting, construction is betting on Gen Z to reshape the industry as the skillbuilding competition and other initiatives spotlight trade careers.

Federal Judge Provides Lifeline for National Vocational Training Program

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:14:15 -0400

The order stays attempts by the U.S. Dept. of Labor to shutter the job training program until a related lawsuit is settled.

Women Take Their Place to Meet New Construction Challenges

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400

AEC leaders at the ENR Groundbreaking Women in Construction conference in San Diego vowed that diverse teams would deliver complex projects and bottom-line returns with determined effort—despite rising anti-DEI rhetoric and enforcement threats from the Trump administration.

US DOT Calls Its DBE Program 'Unconstitutional,' Asks Judge to Block Key Parts

Thu, 29 May 2025 15:15:50 -0400

The U.S. Dept. of Transportation is asking a judge to prevent it from using contract goals with race- or sex-based eligibility requirements.

High Court Rules 9-0 That False DBE Reporting on Fed Projects Is Fraud

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Thu, 22 May 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Philadelphia painting contractor argued to U.S. Supreme Court that state DOT was not harmed.

How to Adjust Your DEI Plan

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:50:00 -0400

A commentary by attorney Kenneth Rubinstein on why firms should pivot from emphasizing outcomes to prioritizing engagement as the national debate changes about diversity, equity and inclusion in construction.

ENR's Top 400 Contractors Proceed With Caution Amid Intensifying Market Challenges

Wed, 21 May 2025 15:00:00 -0400

Confusion over the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda and rising construction costs drive company execs to shift resources toward innovative solutions.

Parsons Corp. Quietly Cut Its Award-Winning DEI Program

Tue, 06 May 2025 16:00:00 -0400

The federal contractor purged website mentions of the program.

Confronting Racial Bias Was a Heavy Lift for Construction

lewisw@enr.com (Scott Lewis) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In the summer of 1969, protesters shut down over a dozen projects in Chicago, resulting in the Builders Association of Chicago and the unions holding a closed, five-hour negotiating session.

Massachusetts Gov. Says PLA Order Boosts Public Construction Projects

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:32:45 -0400

The mandate requires executive department agencies to review and assess whether public works construction projects totaling more than $35 million are favorable for workers and the community.

Award of Excellence Winner Mark Pestrella: Public Service Savant Leads in Time of Crisis

blairs@enr.com (Scott Blair) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:00:00 -0400

Pestrella has spent his entire 38-year career at LA County Public Works, making his way up from field hydrologist to director.

From the Archives: The Fight to Racially Integrate the US Construction Industry

lewisw@enr.com (Scott Lewis) — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0400

The structure of the U.S. construction industry in 1960 could be compared to a stone-walled bastion. Union locals had ironclad control over their recruitment process, which was steeped in nepotism and cronyism.

Chavez-DeRemer Confirmed as Labor Secretary With Bipartisan Support

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:26:00 -0400

Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been confirmed as the 30th U.S. Secretary of Labor by the U.S. Senate after a 67-32 vote.

Construction Women Reach Beyond New Diversity Barriers as Needed Leaders

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Policy attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion caused some angst at the ENR Groundbreaking Women in Construction conference Feb. 24-25, but courts have halted the Trump changes and industry talent development won't be deterred.

New York Initiative Funds Clean Energy Apprenticeships

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:41:50 -0500

The $45M state initiative is set to develop a diverse pipeline of skilled workers to meet projected workforce construction needs in the clean energy sector

OSHA Changes Rule, Mandates for Proper-Fitting Personal Protective Equipment

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:35:53 -0500

The rule requires that construction PPE must properly fit the wearer to maintain safety.