Cleveland Guardians’ Post

The fourth annual Construction Inclusion Week, a grassroots event conceived by industry leaders to combat hate and intolerance on jobsites, kicked off Monday. With 41% of the current construction workforce planning to retire by 2031, creating an inclusive environment is seen as essential to meet growing demand for construction, architecture, and engineering positions. Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives could make achieving this objective more difficult for the industry. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7P9JfN5 See daily themes and curriculum for Construction Inclusion Week: https://lnkd.in/d3riPRC #inclusioninconstruction #constructionindustry #deiinconstruction

At Smoot Construction, Belonging goes beyond just having a seat at the table—it means feeling valued, heard, and empowered to contribute. On Day 2 of Construction Inclusion Week, we’re embracing this theme by reflecting on what it means to foster a true sense of belonging within our teams and projects. Our nearly 80-year legacy is a testament to the power of inclusivity. A future as bright as the one we are privileged to experience today begets the creation of a sense of belonging for our team members. Without them--Smoot would not exist. From the opportunities that helped us grow to the ones we now create, we’ve always believed in building more than just structures. We build environments where everyone—regardless of background—feels welcomed, supported and heard. Belonging is woven into our culture at Smoot. It drives us to actively listen, engage, and uplift our team members, partners, and the communities we serve. It’s about cultivating a workplace where diverse perspectives lead to innovation and progress. Together, we can make the construction industry a place where everyone not only fits in, but also thrives. #ConstructionInclusionWeek #Belonging #SmootConstruction #Inclusion #Diversity #OpportunityForAll #MidwestConstruction #BuildingCommunity

'The Queensland not-for-profit organisation Sharing with Friends (SWF), for example, is seeking to transform the lives of older women through the development of a model in which groups of five women self-select to live together, each with their own home but with shared facilities. The aim is to develop a holistic intentional community model that can be replicated throughout the state.' https://lnkd.in/emzRwsHj

Addressing Inequality in Construction: A Call for Change As professionals in the #constructionindustry, we must confront the persistent issue of inequality within our companies. Despite strides made in various sectors, inequality still permeates many construction firms, manifesting in hierarchical structures that reinforce a divisive "US vs THEM" culture. Let's face it: the construction industry has historically been rife with disparities. Those at the helm often enjoy elevated privileges, while the men and women who form the backbone of our projects—the ones who pour the concrete, hammer the nails, and lay the bricks—are left with little recognition and minimal rewards for their hard work. Picture this scenario: The executives sit comfortably in their high-rise offices, enjoying extravagant perks and flaunting their privileges, while the workers on the ground toil away, their efforts largely unnoticed and underappreciated. This creates a palpable divide, fostering resentment and perpetuating a sense of injustice among the workforce. BUT WHY SHOULD IT BE THIS WAY? Shouldn't every individual within a construction company be valued for their contributions, regardless of their position in the hierarchy? After all, it takes a cohesive team effort—from the top executives to the frontline workers—to bring projects to fruition. It's time for a paradigm shift—a transformation towards a more inclusive and equitable work environment. This starts with acknowledging and dismantling the entrenched systems of inequality that plague our industry. As leaders and influencers in construction, we have a responsibility to lead by example and champion change within our organizations. Here are some actionable steps we can take: Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Encourage diversity in hiring practices and foster an inclusive workplace culture where all voices are heard and respected Fair Compensation and Recognition: Ensure that compensation and recognition are based on merit and contribution rather than hierarchical status. Implement fair wage policies and acknowledge the invaluable role played by frontline workers Training and Development: Provide opportunities for skill development and career advancement for all employees, regardless of their position within the company Create Open Channels of Communication: Establish transparent communication channels that allow for constructive dialogue and feedback from all levels of the organization Lead with Empathy and Compassion: Cultivate a leadership style that prioritizes empathy and understanding, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect among team members By taking these proactive actions, we can work towards building a more equitable and inclusive construction industry—one where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Together, let's pave the way for positive change and create a brighter future for all members of our construction industry. Image courtesy of Prime Video

In a world that often emphasizes division, let's be the architects of unity. By building bridges, not walls, we create a community where everyone belongs and thrives. 🌉🤗 #BuildBridges #CommunityUnity #NoWalls #Inclusivity #TogetherWeAreBetter #CommunityBuilders #BridgeTheGap #PeaceAndUnity #vitalsolutions

Breaking barriers to diversity and inclusion in construction! 👷 With diversity and inclusion becoming a central topic across a multitude of industries, PBC today have released a blog on one woman’s journey into the industry:  https://lnkd.in/dd8UjzhC #ukconstruction #eastbourne #sussex #surrey #london

🔊 Championing Inclusivity & Allyship in Construction 🚧 We are proud to spotlight Sarra Hawes MCIOB, Company Director at Hawes Construction Group and one of our esteemed Constructing Excellence board members. Sarra recently shared her powerful insights on what it means to be a true ally in her latest blog post. 🌟 "It’s easy to say you’re inclusive, but true allyship is about living those values." Sarra reflects on her journey and commitment to advocating for women, young people, and underrepresented groups in construction. She is passionate about creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and showing the next generation that success in this sector is within reach. Whether mentoring young women or collaborating with her team to build inclusive, respectful relationships, Sarra exemplifies what it means to lead by example. 📢 Key Takeaways: ▪️ Advocate for diversity and open doors for young talent. ▪️ Build relationships grounded in respect and mutual support. ▪️ Foster inclusivity to drive innovation and success across the sector.   👉 Read more here: https://rb.gy/tef5lz Join Sarra in championing inclusivity and being an ally for positive change in construction!   #Inclusivity #Allyship #WomenInConstruction #DiversityInConstruction #ConstructingExcellence #Leadership

Manchester on Cloud 9! ☁ 𝙉𝒊𝙣𝒆 Exciting Developments for Greater Manchester 🏙 🏗 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 - First of a kind' majority LGBTQ+ extra care housing scheme. 𝐏𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬- Plans for a logistics and industrial development in Salford. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 - Major plans to redevelop a 29-acre site in Salford. 𝐍𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥 - Project would see the red-brick building on Chapeltown Street transformed into 22,000 sq ft of workspaces. 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 - Collyhurst Village will see 244 new homes, including 100 council homes for social rent alongside a new public realm and community park, retail and community space. 𝐕𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐱- The first phase of the development comprises a 40-storey residential skyscraper, and the second phase proposal includes a 76-storey skyscraper – which would be the tallest in the city – and 23-storey building. 𝐄𝐝𝐞𝐧, 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 - 12-storey, 115,000 sq ft office development at New Bailey for "businesses who are serious about protecting the planet." 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 - The development has the potential for 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing, commercial space that could support 1,500 jobs and 91 acres of public realm and green space - including 1km play link. 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - Overseen by Gary Neville's Developments.  Which are you most excited about? #development #ESG #realestate #groundup

We have the power to foster environments where diversity is acknowledged and celebrated. It's creating spaces where everyone, irrespective of gender, feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive. What practices have you or your organization implemented to champion inclusivity? #WomenInLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion

✨ My Saturday morning quick read this week is on urban regeneration. Ever thought about how urban regeneration is linked to gender-transformative urban planning, especially for women? 👇 This article delves into comprehensive approaches, from infrastructure upgrades to sustainability initiatives, all aimed at enhancing residents' quality of life. Highlighting the vital role of #community engagement and innovative planning, understanding how efforts to transform urban areas into vibrant, sustainable communities are impacting #gender and #women throughout the process, and addressing how inclusive #policies and opportunities can empower communities and drive positive changes needs to be at top of mind throughout such a process. Too often community engagement and inclusion come at the end of the process or are inadequate. What are some of your strategies? #urbanplanning #inclusion #housing #mobility #economic #leadership #infrastructure #sustainability Devdiscourse