MBEX Has the Scoop

Ways you can Contribute to a Culture of CARE

Construction Inclusion Week is here at last, and each day, we'll be sharing ways our job sites, companies, and workplaces can incorporate inclusion, diversity, and equity across the industry. For Day 1: Leadership Commitment & Accountability, we explore Culutre of Care.

A Culture of CARE lays the foundation for what is and is not acceptable behavior on a jobsite. It is up to each of us to acknowledge that everyone on site adds value, deserves respect and has an opportunity to contribute to the work. Creating a Culture of CARE helps everyone feel more comfortable and confident speaking up, sharing new ideas, and working to stop harassment, hazing, bullying, threats and intimidation.

1) Acknowledge differences, with respect. Welcome ideas that are different from your own, and observe diverse traditions, celebrations and holidays from other cultures.

2) Treat people how THEY wish to be treated rather than how YOU wish to be treated. Social activities and practices that are comfortable for you may not be comfortable for others. Get to know your coworkers; ask them about their families, values or hobbies.

3) Speak up and support diversity issues that are not necessarily your own.

4) Understand the diversity you personally bring to the organization. Each of us is different and adds value because of these differences. If you routinely go to the same people for ideas, you aren't necessarily being open to the diversity of thought others provide and may be unintentionally excluding some of your coworkers.

5) Rotate who initiates or leads meetings. Even informal meetings or toolbox talks can be enhanced by a new person's perspective or leadership style. 

Inclusion is a feeling of belonging. An inclusive workplace exists when employees are valued, respected, accepted and encouraged to fully participate in their organization. People who feel included perform better and have fewer accidents, creating a more productive and safer workplace for everybody.

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For more tools and resources on Leadership Commitment & Accountability in regards to Construction Inclusion Week, visit www.constructioninclusionweek.com.

Construction Inclusion Week

Construction Inclusion Week invites every member of the construction industry to unite to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

By working together, learning from one another, and being consistent commitments and actions towards maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment – free of harassment, hate, or bigotry of any kind – this event is designed to effect positive change in the industry for generations of workers to come.

Each day of the week will see a different theme, and they are as follows:

•  Day 1 (October 18): Leadership Commitment & Accountability
•  Day 2 (October 19): Unconscious Bias
•  Day 3 (October 20): Supplier Diversity
•  Day 4 (October 21): Jobsite Culture
•  Day 5 (October 22): Community Engagement & Philanthrophy

MBEX will be participating all week long across our website and social media. If you aren't already, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join in on the work our industry will be doing in regards to diversity and inclusion. More resources and additional information can be found at www.constructioninclusionweek.com. 

Tip of the Week + Project Update: October 13

Total Projects Received at MBEX from 10/4 - 10/8:  51

Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 10/4 - 10/8:  0

Total Active Projects Received and/or Reported On at MBEX as of 10/12:  206

TIP OF THE WEEK: Setting Up Filters Using CSI
To bring up better results when searching by CSI number within our Online Plan Room, search for a division as a whole instead of entering an exact spec number.

For example, type in "09" to bring up all projects with specifications containing any combination of numbers within Division 9.

Remember, there is no limit to how many filters can be set up within a member's Deskpad. Keep them simple, and do more than one. You can always tweak filters as you go, too.

If you're ever stuck or need help with the Online Plan Room, make sure to bookmark our YouTube channel. Here, you can find video tutorials on accessing plans, search filters, running reports, and more. As always, you can also give us a call Monday-Friday at (612) 381-2621.

Encouraging Young Girls in Construction

It’s 2021, and women only make up about 10% of construction industry workers. Although a minority in the industry, women are making strides to break down barriers and become more of an influence in the industry.

In honor of today being International Day of the Girl, we wondered how young girls can be encouraged to explore a possible career in construction. For many, they probably don’t realize a career in construction is possible.

As a construction trade association, we know there is a plethora of opportunities in this industry! There are the trades: plumbers, plasterers, electricians, iron workers, painters, masons, flooring installers…the list is a long one. However, projects also need architectural designers, structural engineers, project managers, safety managers, and fore(wo)men.

Encouraging young girls to play and build is an easy way to expose them early on. Here are a few different, hands-on activities get them started. Plus, they’re fun for adults, too!

1) Building Shapes - Construct shapes with just two household items, such as toothpicks and marshmallows. Kids will learn to manipulate elements to assemble larger structures – a key skill in construction play.

2) Matching - Play a matching card game where kids match the movements of common construction equipment to each other (for example, a cement mixer would match with the movement ‘Spin’). It’s great for growing interest in construction machines like bulldozers and excavators.

3) Create a Neighborhood - Using cardboard, paper, color pencils/crayons/markers, scissors, paint and paintbrushes and other creative tools you can find around the house, have your kiddos create their own neighborhood complete with roadways, houses, stop signs, and more. Creating their own neighborhood helps kids make connections with real-world construction projects. Bonus points if you add in dump trucks, bulldozers, and other construction equipment to build out the scene.

4) Build with LEGO - Put their imagination to the test with LEGO building cards. Write down objects on pieces of paper, mix them up in a hat, pick one and prompt them to “build” it. It can be things like a robot, a car, or a hammer. Those creative-thinking skills will be put in motion!

5) Bridge Building - Using spaghetti as the main building material, kids will recreate bridge designs, learning about important architectural elements like trusses. We’re not stopping at building; we also have to test it to see how it holds up against different weights and forces. Download this guide from Big Rentz for different bridge structures to try.

Activities like these can help young girls and boys grow their imaginations while learning possible jobs they can do when they grow up, including construction, architects, and engineers. After all, they’ll be the ones building the world around us one day.

Home Depot’s Path to Pro program

Did you know The Home Depot offers an education and job placement program called Path to Pro?

It's a program that aims to address the skilled labor gap by educating more people in the skilled trades, connecting skilled tradespeople with jobs and careers, and generating interest in trade professions through educational campaigns. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Construction Index Q2 report, 88% of contractors report moderate to high levels of difficulty finding skilled workers and 35% of contractors report turning down work due to skilled labor shortages.

A program like Path to Pro not only influences young people who are entering the career and job force for the first time, but it opens a door they may not have considered before. They might not want to go to a four-year college as its not the route for them personally. Becoming a trade laborer might be a better fit. This type of program is also beneficial to people who are looking to reskill and perhaps pivot from their current career path.

To participate in Path to Pro, one must have a valid driver's license, be 18 years of age or older, and have a computer with reliable internet access. No previous construction experience is required. Experience will be gained in the basics including jobsite safety, tool usage, construction materials, team building, and communication skills. 

On average, the Path to Pro program takes ~10 hours to complete and once completed, the company will help connect graduates with employees looking to hire. The best part? This training program is 100% free.

To learn more about the Path to Pro program, visit www.pathtopro.com. 

It's important to note, too, that Home Depot offers a variety of training options for professionals, too. 

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The Home Depot is investing in training from entry-level to advanced certifications. The Path to Pro program started in the Atlanta area and is planned to expand into additional markets throughout 2021. Graduates earn a Home Depot certificate that recognizes construction skills and professional fundamentals. Additionally, the company launched a first-of-its-kind website that allows people to search local training programs, licensing requirements and open jobs in the trades – all in one centralized resource. The site features reliable day-in-the-life videos and stories for each trade, projected industry growth, salary information in industries like electrical, carpentry, plumbing and HVAC. 

Tip of the Week + Project Update: 10/6

Total Projects Received from 9/27-10/1:  55

Total Project Leads Reported from 9/27-10/1:  7

Total Active Projects Received and/or Reported as of 10/5:  210

TIP OF THE WEEK: Bidders Lists
Many of our members utilize the Online Plan Room to keep up on bidders lists. Our Plan Room Reporters utilize many resources to obtain bidders lists, often by contacting the plan distributor directly through multiple requests.

We do our absolute best to track down bidders lists for all projects posted and to have them promptly entered. Sometimes, however, our requests are not met. In this case, please feel free to contact the plan distributor to inquire about bidders.