Construction Executive

06/17/2026

🏗️ ABC National and Meta have partnered to launch America's Workforce Academy—a $115-million investment creating thousands of jobs for data center construction technicians.

The program includes a five-week training program and a job offer upon completion, kicking off in Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas.

🗣️ "America's Workforce Academy is a transformational endeavor creating incredible construction-ready careers," said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO.

🔗 Learn more about the partnership in our article: https://f.mtr.cool/dwnshmjzdz

Thousands of data center construction technicians are getting an educational leg up from ABC and Meta.

06/17/2026

🦺 "It does not matter your title or your experience. If it's your first day, you are a safety leader," said Jenny Ferdinand-Stong, winner of ABC National's first Health and Safety Professional of the Year award.

Over the years, Ferdinand-Stong has built a career around transforming safety culture. Now working as Gaylor Electric's corporate safety manager, her belief that health and safety are "bigger than policies or compliance" has made her the successful safety leader she is today.

🔗 Learn more about Ferdinand-Stong and her journey to winning ABC's 2026 Health and Safety Professional of the Year award in our article: https://f.mtr.cool/jrijnlwayz

06/17/2026

Construction Specialties recently announced Katherine Domenico as its new vice president of sales for North America. Congratulations to Domenico on her new role! 🎉

🔗 See more hiring and promotion updates shaping the industry here: https://f.mtr.cool/cxmsjixodu

06/16/2026

💰 As the industry continues to grapple with wage pressures from the skilled labor shortage, another challenge emerges: hidden costs that stack up fast.

🗣️ "When teams run lean, hidden costs stack up fast. Mistakes increase. Rework grows. Decisions slow down. Skilled staff spend time hunting for information instead of managing risk and driving progress," said Dave Wagner, vice president of product marketing at Newforma.

🔗 Learn how hidden project costs are impacting contractors and what companies can do to protect their teams' productivity, with insight from Wagner, in our article:

Information management is part of the solution to revealing the hidden costs of the workforce shortage.

06/11/2026

🧠 The "augmented apprentice" could help address the skilled labor shortage by using AI to support new workers—rather than replace them.

With more than 40% of the U.S. construction workforce expected to retire by 2031, the industry isn't just losing people—it's losing institutional memory.

The "augmented apprentice"—a worker who gains confidence and competence faster because institutional wisdom is embedded into the tools they use every day—counters the common assumption that automation inevitably leads to job loss.

🔗 Learn how human-machine collaboration can help construction navigate the labor challenges ahead in our article: https://f.mtr.cool/kxhbsvyupw

The construction industry isn’t just facing a labor shortage—it’s facing a knowledge cliff. And that’s where artificial intelligence can play a meaningful role.

06/11/2026

🤖 At this year's CONEXPO-CON/AGG, autonomous equipment and AI-enabled machinery emerged as one of the industry's hottest topics—with expectations that it will reshape construction entirely.

Industry experts told CE that the transformation will extend far beyond equipment and has the potential to make construction work safer, more efficient, expand the workforce and redefine roles.

🗣️ "We're seeing rapid growth in technologies that change how people learn as much as how they work," said Lisa Strite, chief learning officer at the NCCER.

🔗 Learn what leaders should know about developments in autonomous construction and how early adopters can gain a competitive edge in our article: https://f.mtr.cool/dclbskeyvk

06/11/2026

Pella Windows and Doors recently announced Emily Videtto as its next president and chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026. Congratulations to Videtto on her new role! 🎉

🔗 See more hiring and promotion updates shaping the industry here: https://f.mtr.cool/kxfyvcmiqz

06/09/2026

💻 Sometimes AI isn't all-knowing—and can actually make construction jobsites less safe.

When used to achieve general safety goals, AI can be a valuable tool. But when navigating complex work conditions, it's prone to inaccuracies.

See five reasons why video-based AI has limitations in construction safety and how these factors impact construction jobsites in our article:

Sometimes, artificial intelligence isn't all-knowing and can actually make jobsites less safe.

06/09/2026

🏗️ Associated Builders and Contractors - Minnesota/North Dakota Chapter has created a first-of-its-kind safety training program for telecommunications installers.

The Safety Qualified Underground Telecommunications Installer training program, created in partnership with NCCER and the Minnesota Cable Communications Association, aims to ensure contractor compliance with a new Minnesota law.

The SQUTI certification program is already proving successful—and historic.

🗣️ "SQUTI strengthens our industry by elevating training expectations and reinforcing a culture of safety on every jobsite," said Janet Artmann, ABC MN/ND safety programs manager.

🔗 Learn more about the new program here:

ABC Minnesota/North Dakota creates first-of-its-kind program for telecommunications installer safety training.