WELLESLEY, MA — The Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA) was recently a sponsor for Construction Inclusion Week 2024. First established in 2021, Construction Inclusion Week celebrates the values of an inclusive workplace by supporting diverse businesses and a diverse workforce. Events during the week included educational and networking opportunities and a stand down to promote the principles of diversity and inclusion.
To start inclusion week, AGC MA hosted their annual Diversity Summit at Bentley University’s LaCava Conference Center. The fourth annual event is a gathering that generates meaningful discussion and innovative solutions. This year’s keynote speaker was Small Business Association of Massachusetts District Director Bob Nelson. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring leading construction managers and diverse business leaders.
Construction Inclusion Week continued with an open house at the Trillium Brewery in Canton, Massachusetts, hosted by AGC MA’s Building Women in Construction (BWiC) and Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (CFDI). This fifth annual free gathering was an opportunity to spotlight volunteer opportunities within both BWiC and CFDI, two active groups working to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the construction industry.
There were two educational opportunities during Construction Inclusion Week. AGC MA promoted a webinar, "The Benefits of Psychological Safety." CEO of Culture Coach International Kari Heistad and Executive Vice President at Columbia ConstructionBill Aalerud discussed the business case for promoting inclusion and respect through psychological safety. Then in a two-part workshop entitled, "DEI: Respecting Other People’s Model of the World," Stacey Rivera empowered participants to understand and respect the diverse perspectives that individuals bring to the workplace and introduce practical strategies for fostering inclusivity and enhancing communication across diverse teams.
Finally, there was a Stand Down for Respect event led by Lee Kennedy Company at their Boston College High School project. This was an opportunity for AGC MA to promote diversity on the job site and highlight the importance of inclusion to the trades in the field.
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“Construction Inclusion Week provides an amazing opportunity to showcase the efforts being made by AGC MA and our members to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our industry," AGC MA CEO John Ferrante said. "We’re proud to be the organization leading the charge in Massachusetts."
