The Associated General Contractors of Colorado (AGC/C) is launching a Colorado-focused Culture of CARE campaign, August 3 – 7, 2020 to focus on inclusivity and diversity in the construction industry. The AGC/C Diversity Committee is leading this effort and challenges construction industry professionals to take the pledge on the buildculture.org website.
The Culture of CARE is a national program first launched by AGC of America and AGC of Washington to “advance the construction industry as the industry of choice for diverse and talented workers by building inclusive work environments in construction firms nationwide.”
The Colorado chapter signed the pledge to commit the AGC/C to the following principles that make up the CARE initiative:
- Commit – “To hire and pay based on skill and experience regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.”
- Attract – “Prospective employees by creating inclusive workplaces that are free from harassment, hazing and bullying.”
- Retain – “High-performing employees by identifying and removing barriers to advancement.”
- Empower – “Every employee to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion.”
AGC/C contacted several participants of the Culture of CARE program to share what this program means to them.
Bryan Cook, executive director of the Construction Education Foundation and staff liaison for AGC/C’s Diversity Committee shared, “As a construction industry, we must listen and celebrate the diversity of our industry and community. The power of diversity will make us a more inclusive team ready to build the impossible. By supporting diverse and inclusive people, the construction industry will see improved safety, increased productivity and the retention of skilled tradespeople that are needed now more than ever.”
Justin Gilmore, business development manager at Gilmore Construction Corporation responded, “Having grown up in the industry working for Gilmore, which is a minority contractor, our personal beliefs in equality and opportunity have always aligned with the Culture of CARE. It has afforded us to give opportunities to those that found challenges when trying to work with companies that didn’t truly believe in what Culture of CARE means. We continue to hold fast to those beliefs and hope that we can continue to help those that have not been as fortunate as us.”
Sherri Lindsey, VP of Sales & Marketing at CONCEPTS in Millwork, Inc. and AGC of Colorado’s vice chairman of the board, stated, “As a woman working in a predominantly male industry, I hope to demonstrate to others that there are opportunities in the construction industry for those who want to get involved and make a difference as our industry rapidly expands. I am proud of my company for taking the Pledge early on and I am proud that next year I will be the second ever female chair and the fourth ever specialty contractor chair for AGC Colorado. What a great example AGC Colorado is setting of inclusion and diversity. This initiative is so important that I will commit to personally reaching out to AGC/C members who haven’t signed the pledge and ask them to consider joining the Culture of CARE movement.”
