WebEd: The Construction Workforce Outlook: Challenges, Best Practices & Solutions

All WebEd times are in EDT

Member Price: FREE
Non Member Price: $79

Description:

Construction contractors across the nation face worker shortages and an insufficient workforce development pipeline. How are these shortages affecting the industry? How are contractors dealing with shortages? Where are they finding workers for today? How are they developing workers for tomorrow? How may technology disrupt the construction workforce? What is the federal government doing to help address (or worsen) these problems?

During this WebEd, registrants will hear answers to these questions from AGC’s CEO Stephen Sandherr, Chief Economist Ken Simonson, Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives Brian Turmail, Senior Director of Congressional Relations for Labor, Human Resources and Safety, James Young, and Autodesk’s Head of Construction Integrated Marketing Allison Scott as they:

• Review the results of the 2019 AGC Construction Workforce Survey supported by Autodesk, detailing national, regional and state workforce data;
• Highlight workforce development initiatives the association, chapters and contractors are using to meet their labor needs;
• Discuss several new technologies that may change aspects of construction delivery for some markets; and
• Evaluate recently enacted and pending federal legislation and regulations concerning career and technical education, immigration reform, and apprenticeships.

Speakers:

Stephen Sandherr
CEO
Associated General Contractors of America

Stephen Sandherr joined the AGC of America staff in 1984 as Assistant Director of Collective Bargaining Services. From 1986 to 1989 he served as AGC’s Director of Congressional Relations. He practiced law with the firm of Thompson, Mann and Hutson in Washington, D.C., from 1989 to 1990, and served as Labor and Small Business Counsel for the National Association of Home Builders from 1990 to 1991. He rejoined AGC as Executive Director of Congressional Relations in 1991 and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 1997.

Currently, as Chief Executive Officer, Steve’s role is to maintain relations with AGC’s 92 chapters nationwide, coordinate government relations activities and enhance AGC’s involvement with business coalitions. In 2006, the American Society of Association Executives cited AGC as one of nine “remarkable” associations in its landmark study, “7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don’t.” CEO Update, which tracks people in association and non-profit executive careers, listed Steve as a top CEO in 2009, and a Capitol Hill newspaper, The Hill, listed Steve as a top lobbyist for the last seven years, representing the only commercial construction industry association on the Top Lobbyists of 2009 - 2016 lists.

Steve is a 1980 graduate of the University of Scranton with a B.S. in Political Science. He earned his law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1983, and is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia. He is a trustee of the National Building Museum in Washington.

He resides with his wife, Cynthia, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Kenneth Simonson
Chief Economist
The Associated General Contractors of America

Ken Simonson has been the chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading trade association for the construction industry, since 2001. His weekly summary of economic news relevant to construction, The Data DIGest, goes to 47,000 subscribers. He is a Fellow and past president of the National Association for Business Economics, the professional organization for individuals who use economics in their work. Currently, he serves as an appointed member of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Data Users Advisory Committee. Ken has 40 years of experience analyzing, advocating and communicating about economic and tax issues. He received a BA in economics from the University of Chicago and an MA in economics from Northwestern University.

James Young
Senior Director of Congressional Relations for Labor, HR and Safety
The Associated General Contractors of America

Mr. James Young is the Senior Director of Congressional Relations for Labor, HR and Safety for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). In this role, he works directly with members of the U.S. Congress, AGC members and press on a multitude of issues that directly affect the construction industry. Previously, Mr. Young worked for Direct Impact, the preeminent grassroots firm in Washington and Democracy Data and Communications which provides a comprehensive array of grassroots and political action solutions. Mr. Young began his career on Capitol Hill working for Congressman Benjamin Gilman (NY).

James holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC.

Brian Turmail
Vice President, Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives
TheAssociated General Contractors of America

As Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Brian Turmail’s role is to develop and oversee all public, member and chapter communications activities for the 27,000 member construction trade association.  He works directly with national, regional and local media to generate coverage of the construction industry and AGC’s major policy priorities. He is also helping oversee the implementation of the association’s Centennial “Future Focus” plan designed to position the association to help member firms thrive amid the significant technological, process and labor transformations taking place within the industry. He also plays a lead role in getting local, state and federal officials to act on the measures outlined in the association’s Workforce Development Plan.  And he is a member of the board of directors of AGC Charities Inc, the association’s charitable arm, where he oversees Operation Opening Doors projects that get volunteer contractors to renovate facilities for worthwhile groups, including veterans and members of the disabled community.  Turmail resides in Washington, D.C. where he serves as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and volunteers with local schools and law enforcement.

Allison Scott
Head of Construction Integrated Marketing
Autodesk

WebEd Recording: