On December 5^th, as part of a panel for USDOL’s Women’s Bureau, I will be addressing an issue that not only threatens workplace safety but also undermines the integrity of our industry: Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH). GBVH is pervasive in many industries, but in construction, the stakes are particularly high. Rates of GBVH are disproportionately high and, even more troubling, incidents often go unreported due to fear of retaliation or stigma.

Child care is critical for the success of professionals in the construction trades, but too often workers aren’t able to find care during the hours they need, affecting everything from career trajectories to job satisfaction to family life at home, leading to questions about a continued willingness to stay in the trades.

We sat down with Laura Soma, CCE Advisory Board member since 2013, to learn about her career, sustainability in construction and her insight into the industry. Laura is the Sustainability Manager at GLY Construction, holds a LEED AP, BD + C, and was elected CCE Co-chair at the most recent Advisory Board meeting.

Replacing I-5 bridge will aid drivers, displace some homeowners in WA and Oregon. The project is expected to cost roughly $6 billion. Several design options are still under consideration. The replacement of the Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River, connecting Washington and Oregon, is a significant project expected to cost around $6 billion. The new bridge aims to reduce crashes, improve commute times, offer more transit options, and decrease air pollution.

The Washington State Construction Center of Excellence (CCE) and Renton Technical College (RTC) are pleased to announce the release of a Request for Quotation and Qualifications (RFQQ) #2025-CCE-001. We are seeking proposals from qualified firms to develop a Data and Equity Benchmarking Navigation Guide aimed at guiding curriculum development for a statewide construction management credential.

Child care access is critical for workers’ success. We know those in our industries struggle with finding care during the hours they need it and where they need it. We’ve gathered resources to help you access child care.

In this blog post, we celebrate Pride Month by honoring the invaluable contributions of the LGBTQIA2S+ community to the construction industry in Washington state. We address the ongoing issue of harassment and bullying within the workplace and highlight the essential guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the EEOC to combat these issues. Our commitment at the Construction Center of Excellence goes beyond symbolic gestures, focusing on fostering a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and support. By working together and challenging our attitudes, we aim to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all. Join us in celebrating the LGBTQIA2S+ community and building a future where everyone can work without fear and with the respect they deserve.

ANEW is a Financial Aid Office for the WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A). Financial Aid may be available to assist active apprentices in WSAC-approved apprenticeship programs with costs associated with their apprenticeship.

The Pierce County Roofers have achieved a remarkable success at the West Coast States Roofing Competition! In January (2024) our apprentices competed in the Western States Roofing Apprenticeship Competition in Southern California. We had winners in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and some of our winners will be going on to the national competition!

The U.S Department of Labor Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Mega Construction Project (Megaproject) Program fosters equal opportunity in the construction trades workforce of federal contractors and subcontractors on large federal construction projects.

Registered apprenticeship programs across the state have an opportunity to receive their share of $3.3 million in grant funding. The money provides services for pre-apprentices and program participants. The application period opens Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024. Awards are based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jonathan Andersen, CSP, CHST, CIT writes a guest column for the CCE concerning financial stress and its impact on mental health in the construction industry for suicide prevention awareness month. Resources and additional links included in article.

As we wind up a busy construction season - with more infrastructure projects on the horizon - the CCE team has been thinking about what it means to be part of the industry, the legacy of the work, and the future of the workforce.

ANR specializes in providing access and information to those interested in agriculture and natural resources.

GLY is a commercial contractor that has been building in the PNW for over 50 years

Pierce County Roofers - Rachel Geyer

LETI Vocational School is an L&I approved injured worker retraining institution. La Escuela Vocacional LETI es una institución aprobada por L&I para proveer reentrenamiento de trabajadores lesionados.

In the construction industry, when you think about building a legacy, what do you think of? The Director of the Washington State Construction Center of Excellence reflects on International Workers Day about building legacy in the industry she grew up admiring.

It is an honor to write you at the beginning of the Spring season – a season of growth and change - as the Director of the Washington State Construction Center of Excellence. We’ve set our sights high through the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year and already have our plan set for 2024:

Never having widely participated in “women’s only” activities previously in her career, Dr. Barbara Jackson began to recognize the need for women to step up, and step out, in the construction industry. Dr. Jackson’s two presentations served as rousing calls to action for everyone in the construction industry, especially women, to stand in their own power and to generate their own future.