Host Dushaw Hockett is joined by Fatima Ware, the owner of Cleveland, Ohio-based WTD Mechanical. Fatima and Dushaw talk about Fatima's experience as a black woman rising through the skilled trades. The two also take a moment to discuss the state of diversity and equity in the industry and, using Fatima's real-world experience, consider some solutions that can better help the sheet metal and HVAC industry become more reflective of their communities. 

Kim Palmer, Crain's

Zachary Phillips, Construction Dive

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, women and Black workers encompassed about 11% and 6% of the construction workforce respectively. Both are below the groups’ share of the total national workforce.

Douglas J. Guth, The Land

From September 15 to October 15, Cleveland’s Hispanic leaders join others around the U.S. in championing the history, culture, and contributions of their diverse and dynamic communities. In the past, that effort has too often culminated in non-Hispanic Clevelanders complimenting their neighbors’ taste in food and music, then spending their money elsewhere for the other 11 months of the year.

Rhonda Crowder, Properties Magazine

For construction project owners and general contractors seeking a diverse talent pool but struggling to find the right fit, Contractors Assistance Association (CAA) can be a valuable resource. 

CBCTC Blog

By Craig Torres and Maria Paula Mijares Torres, Bloomberg

Construction has long been a man’s world, from blue-collar trades such as masonry and carpentry to the executive suites of developers and builders. Now an accelerated wave of baby-boomer retirements has aggravated the industry’s chronic labor shortages. 

Bridgit

Johanna Knapschaefer and Debra K. Rubin, ENR

The ACE Mentor program is rallying AEC firm support for a new effort to ensure that more industry-underrepresented engineering and construction students in college level programs earn degrees and start industry careers. Academic data show that just 10% earned degrees, on average, with just 50% doing so at some universities in the best-case scenarios.