The construction industry is facing a worker shortage, and Colorado is no exception. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state will need 45,000 new workers in the construction industry by 2027. In response to this challenge, Pinkard Construction has committed to building a more welcoming and inclusive industry.
"At Pinkard, we believe that treating everyone with dignity and making a workplace of inclusion and belonging is the right thing to do," said Jeff Kessler, Pinkard's Director of HR. "We need to attract and retain workers from all walks of life, and that means creating a workplace that welcomes everyone."
To that end, Pinkard Construction has signed the AGC's Culture of Care Pledge and has formed its own committee to actively contemplate, study, and implement the CARE principles.
"Our committee includes members from across the organization, and we meet regularly to discuss ways in which we can continue to make improvements across the organization that will strengthen the organization and help us build the workforce of tomorrow," Kessler said.
The CARE principles include committing to hiring and paying based on skill and experience, regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. They also include attracting prospective employees by creating inclusive workplaces that are free from harassment, hazing, and bullying and retaining high-performing employees by identifying and removing barriers to advancement.
"We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected," said Tanya Navarro, Pinkard's HR Generalist. "We want to empower every employee to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion."
The construction industry has historically struggled with diversity and inclusion, but Pinkard Construction is committed to leading the way in building a more welcoming and inclusive industry.
"As an industry, we need to be able to attract workers from all walks of life, and that means building an industry that is welcoming and inclusive," Kessler said. "We need to retain our workers by paying them based on merit and taking care of their health and well-being. By doing so, we can build a stronger industry that will benefit everyone."
