The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) launched a nationwide program, Culture of CARE, designed to help expand the diversity of the industry by making jobsites more inclusive. The national Culture of CARE (commit, attract, retain, and enpower) program is based on a similar program launched by the AGC's Washington state chapter in the Pacific Northwest.
The program is designed to help firms create more welcoming workplace environments for staff, particularly those from diverse demographic backgrounds. Culture of CARE calls on construction firms to sign a pledge to create more welcoming and inclusive workplace cultures.
"We are asking companies to take bold and visible steps towards creating a more diverse, safe, welcoming, and inclusive construction industry," AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr said in a news release. "This new program will help firms attract the kind of diverse staff that research shows help construction firms become more innovative, safe, effective, and profitable."
After firms sign the Culture of CARE program's pledge, the AGC will work with them to provide training and suggested human-resource practices designed to help them put action behind their pledge and establish more-inclusive workplaces. Educational materials in the program include sample HR policies, toolbox talks, job site posters, and hardhat stickers.
In addition to launching the new program, the AGC released its Business Case for Diversity & Inclusion in the Construction Industry report, providing the economic, safety, and productivity rationale for expanding construction diversity.
