PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Aug. 17, 2021) — Gilbane Building Company has announced that it will be joining five other general contractors: DPR Construction, Turner, Mortenson, McCarthy and Clark Construction Group to announce the inaugural “Construction Inclusion Week,” which will be held Oct. 18 — Oct. 22, 2021. Gilbane is chairing the first Construction Inclusion Week with the theme of “Building the Foundation for Inclusion.”
Construction Inclusion Week invites every member of the construction industry to unite to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. By working together, learning from one another and being consistent in commitments and actions towards maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment — free of harassment, hate, or bigotry of any kind — Construction Inclusion Week aims to create positive change in the industry for generations of workers to come.
“Building and empowering a diverse workforce is critically important to the future of the construction industry,” said Michael E. McKelvy, president & CEO, Gilbane Building Company. “Our industry will be stronger if we work together and share resources, knowledge, and best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re grateful to join with fellow contractors and industry partners to build on Gilbane’s efforts to advance diversity and inclusion, including our tradition of holding an annual inclusion week.”
Construction Inclusion Week activities will be held on project sites and offices with the purpose to unite construction professionals around the world to discuss:
- Leadership commitment and accountability
- Unconscious bias
- Supplier diversity
- Jobsite culture
- Community outreach
In 2020, six general contractors created a consortium, “Time for Change,” with a single purpose: to identify ways to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the construction industry. The shared effort by Gilbane Building Company, DPR Construction, Turner Construction Company, Mortenson, McCarthy and Clark Construction Group resulted in organizing an industry-wide Construction Inclusion Week.
By signing up to participate in Construction Inclusion Week, firms will have access to materials and resources that support bringing awareness to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Content will be tailored to enable jobsite conversations and office discussions and enable construction companies to plan targeted activities for their organization and trade partners. Construction Inclusion Week demonstrates how a united industry can collectively set expectations for behaviors that champion inclusion and empowers all people to reach their full potential. Participating in Construction Inclusion Week will enhance and deepen connections with colleagues, clients and communities.
Visit constructioninclusionweek.com to sign up and access valuable resources to bring awareness to diversity, equity and inclusion concepts for job sites, teams and companies. Follow Construction Inclusion Week on social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Gilbane has prioritized inclusion and diversity as a core company commitment and recognizes that the commitment in this area must be continuous in order to effect change. The company focuses on internal inclusion and diversity efforts with leadership support from an internal Inclusion & Diversity Council, through trainings and education related to unconscious bias and other topics, employee resource groups, a multi-pronged strategic plan and other initiatives. Gilbane also focuses on programs and outreach to enhance opportunity for participation from diverse businesses on its projects, including its Gilbane Rising Contractor program which is designed to help grow certified trade contractors.
The Associated General Contractors of America awarded Gilbane its 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Award, recognizing the company as a champion in advancing diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion within its workforce, supply chain and the communities that it serves. Visit gilbane.com.
