Diversity, equity, and inclusion drive a workforce because everyone is encouraged and empowered to be their best authentic selves. To ensure that a culture of diversity is continually developed in the construction industry, we enjoy opening the dialogue on why workforce diversity is a chief asset. Since Greenup strives to reflect the rich diversity in the communities where the labor force lives, works, and builds, we thought we'd highlight why minority inclusion is a business priority.
Diversity in Construction is Lacking
Women make up just 9% of the construction workforce in the United States. In 2017, women held just 7% of construction-management jobs in the United States, though it's nearly twice that in the United Kingdom. The construction industry has made significant progress to be more inclusive over the last few years, yet LGBTQ+ employees are still largely underrepresented. Of 24,000 staff surveyed by The Construction Leadership Council, just 1% identified as bisexual, 0.8% as gay, and 0.2% as lesbian. The most common ethnicity of construction workers is White (52.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (27.7%), Black or African American (11.1%), and Unknown (4.0%).
Potential solutions to improve diversity in the workforce include policies that affirmatively promote the use of companies owned by minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups and bystander intervention. Changing how minority-owned businesses are viewed in the construction industry is another. Greenup addresses this concern in our workforce through intentionally inclusive recruiting and hiring efforts, safe spaces for learning discussions, and industry forums to address systemic racism.
Lack of D&I Sinks Productivity
Despite being one of the largest sectors in the global economy, the $10 trillion construction industry needs to catch up in productivity growth, which slowed to 1% last year. The result? Poor performance, project management, and execution, as well as cost and time overruns. The problem can only worsen in the United States, where construction's contribution to the economy has hit a seven-year high point.
At the same time, companies complain about a shortage of skilled workers. For these reasons and more, recruiting talent from underrepresented groups is a business imperative.
EDI Action Plans Can Shift the Industry Culture
Construction companies have committed to initiatives designed to foster D&I, often packaged in EDI action plans. These programs include focus groups, coaching, training, mentoring, networking, and career development. Competitive advantage may go to companies whose workforces look more like the communities where they work.
D&I infuses organizations with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a willingness to consider alternatives. With a more diverse workforce better at problem-solving and decision-making, construction companies can outperform their peers financially and fairly—with inclusion and respect.
About Greenup Industries
Based in Kenner, Greenup Industries offers contracting and specialized construction services for industrial, commercial, and municipal clients. The company's proprietary software, the Greenup Tracker, can connect third-party vendors with facilities that need painters, plumbers, groundskeepers, carpenters, etc.
If you would like more information on our diversity efforts, please contact Greenup Industries at 225.283.4843 or info@greenupind.com.