Constructing Observations | The AGC Blog

For generations, family-owned construction businesses would commonly be passed down from father to son. Sons were expected to join their fathers as young adults and eventually take over the business to maintain their families’ legacies or, at times, to keep the family peace. Nowadays, most sons and daughters are encouraged by their parents to explore their talents, interests and career opportunities – as Briana Colantonio was - regardless of their parents’ business ownership. In Briana’s case, her path away from the family business has led her back home. Read more

Based on a recent article published by the New York Times, daughters are 1.8 times likely to have the same job as their mothers and 1.7 times as likely to have the same job as their fathers. Whether it be from certain inherited aptitudes or what is the called the “breakfast table effect”: the influence of family conversations that discuss parent’s daily activities, accomplishments and challenges associated with their current occupation. The data shows that the advantage to passing down occupations is the connections the parents can offer that can give their children an opportunity to start from a better vantage point than they did. Whether through inheriting a family business, getting an internship or simply putting a good word in with a colleague or friend can all be a deciding factor in the path their children will take. Read more

Based on data provided by the Boston Globe, in 2016 the percentage of women carpenters in Boston was 2%. For every 50 men (carpenters) on a job site you would be lucky to see one woman. But with the help of various efforts through-out the state change could be on the horizon. Over the past 8 years the Policy Group for Tradeswomen Issues, (PGTI) have been actively working on expanding the female presence on building sites. Just recently the Northeast Center for Tradeswoman’s Equity (NCTE), a not- for- profit coalition, launched their own campaign “Build a Life That Works” encouraging inner city women to consider the advantages of a rewarding career in the trades by offering training courses and job placement. Both groups goals are to see women make up 20% of the overall work force in the trades by the year 2020. Read more

Work for women in the trades in Boston has seen a rise in the last 5 years, thanks to the efforts of the Mass Gaming Commission’s Wynn Boston Harbor Casino project and advocates such as the Policy Group on Trades Women’s Issues (PGTI), but it is still not where it needs to be. Liz Skidmore, one of PGTI’s co-founders was recently interviewed and shared that, “Women in construction apprentice programs in Massachusetts leaped from 180 in 2012 (4.2% of all active apprentices) to 473 (6.9%) in 2016.” And although a significant increase, PGTI believes those numbers should reach 20% by 2020. Read more

BWiC Committee member Jacqueline Falla, Director of Client Services, Elaine Construction, offers best practices on proper attire in the office or the field in the latest BWiC Blog. Read more