Latest news with #WomeninConstructionWeek
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historians gather at Pittsburg State for annual research conference
PITTSBURG, Kans. — Historians from across Kansas share their research at Pittsburg State University. 108 professors, undergraduate and graduate students, and independent historians gathered in Russ Hall for the 96th Annual Kansas Association of Historians Conference. This two-day event ended Saturday after a full schedule of presentation sessions on a variety of topics. Historians gather at Pittsburg State for annual research conference 'It's going to allow us to take our programs to the next level': PSU plans multi-million dollar automotive program expansion Pitt State students win big at ADDY Awards Women in Construction Week: Girl Scouts dive into STEM at Pitt State Some focused on historical figures who made an impact on the history of Kansas, as well as Scottish and modern American history. Others shed light on different cultures, politics, race, gender and more. Fort Hays State University graduate student and high school teacher, Megan Wade, says it was a way for her to bring what she learned into her classroom. 'I have some high school students back in Coffeyville that are really going to be interested in the information that they've learned, and I'll be able to bring that back to them. So being able to help them through attending this has been the biggest thing for me,' said Megan Wade, Fort Hays State University graduate student and high school teacher. 'This is exciting for us to have 100, 108 people from around the region coming here to enjoy our campus. It's a beautiful campus. It's a beautiful town. They've enjoyed their experience, I feel, and it's exciting,' said Dr. Kris Lawson, Kansas Association of Historians president and PSU professor of history. Dr. Lawson hopes each of the historians who attended and presented will be inspired by what they learned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'It's going to allow us to take our programs to the next level': PSU plans multi-million dollar automotive program expansion
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State University is looking to make a multi-million dollar expansion to its automotive program. 'It's going to allow us to take our programs to the next level,' said Professor Tim Dell, diesel and heavy equipment coordinator. Pittsburg State University is seeking final funding for a new 20 million dollar facility, which will sit here—north of the Crossland Technology Center. 'We've got all the stakeholders involved and have been able to custom tailor a facility that's going to meet the needs of the program.' The facility will provide students laboratory space to train in, as well as use heavy equipment like diesel engines, hydraulic systems, hybrid and electric vehicles, and more. 'We need to be able to provide our students and our industry the best possible technology. And so that's going to enable us to do that,' said Dell. 'It's going to allow us to take our programs to the next level': PSU plans multi-million dollar automotive program expansion Pitt State students win big at ADDY Awards Women in Construction Week: Girl Scouts dive into STEM at Pitt State Pitt State cheer and dance clinic inspires young athletes He says currently, the collision repair and insurance technology lab is cramped, and the hybrid electric technology is in the automotive service facility. Dell says this new facility would allow those programs to have their own space. 'We'll be able to move this equipment that's directly right outside our lab, allowing the automotive foyer to expand. And so it has a very large domino effect on all of the programs.' This two-phase project would be funded by private gifts, along with state and federal funding the university is hoping to secure. 'We are working now. A couple of weeks ago, we released the naming and sponsorship opportunities to all of industry and our advisors. And so now we're just waiting to see those conversations hopefully spark up here soon,' said Madisyn Hite, PSU Crossland College of Technology director of development. The goal, once funding is secured, is for architectural plans to be finalized in 2026, with construction completed in the fall of 2027. 'I'm so excited for not only our students, but our industry. Industry needs hires. They need our students. So if we can up our numbers and put out more students, what better way to help our community and the surrounding communities,' said Hite. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks school and construction leaders offer up-close look at Career Impact Academy
Mar. 12—GRAND FORKS — Approximately 30 members of the local Women in Construction organization recently got a sneak peak at the Career Impact Academy under construction in northwest Grand Forks near the intersection of Gateway Drive and 42nd Street. As part of celebrating "Women in Construction Week," they toured the two-story, 50,000-square-foot building that is expected to reach "substantial completion" by May 1 and then be turned over to the owner, Grand Forks Public Schools, said Geoff Olson, project engineer with PCL/Community Contractors. The school district "will be making sure they have the staffing in place" before fall semester classes start, Olson said. "That's a pretty fast turnaround." Construction of the building — dubbed the "CIA" by its backers — "is right on schedule," said Jared Kasper, who, as project manager with PCL/Community Contractors, has been overseeing the project for the past year. "We have about eight weeks left to get there." All programs housed here will be up and running when the 2025-26 school year starts in August, said Eric Ripley, executive director of career and technical education and technology with the school district. Ground was broken in October 2023. The Women in Construction members showed keen interest and asked questions as they toured the facility. "I love to see all the windows," said RuAnn Deschene, CEO of Community Contractors. "I can remember Red River High School (classrooms) with the narrow windows. All that sun coming through, it's going to be nice — especially in the winter." Built at an estimated cost of $30.5 million, the CIA will be a regional hub for career and technical education, serving area high schools and post-secondary schools, as well as private businesses. "More than 80 industry partners have supported this project" with their contributions, Ripley said, "and the capital campaign is ongoing." Near the building's south entry, a large donor wall will display the names of contributors who invested in this project. In 2023, more than $11 million was raised from private donations in 72 days to qualify for a $10 million match from the state. "This is going to be great for the community," said Darvin Ische, superintendent with PCL/Community Contractors. "It'll be good for parents, too, with kids who are not interested in college. This place may be bursting at the seams." Instruction in the new facility will also equip adults seeking to gain the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce and current industry employees seeking to enhance skills for career advancement. Programs to be offered include: building trades, culinary arts, precision technologies, automotive training, aviation and unmanned aerial systems, robotics, architectural design, engineering, computer science, and health careers such as occupational and physical therapy, certified nurse assistant and emergency medical technician. "Precision technologies" is an overarching term that applies to the newest advances in the agricultural field, Ripley said. The CIA will offer laboratory and classroom space for programs that are new to schools in this area, as well as those currently offered by Grand Forks Public Schools. Nine school districts are participating in the CIA programs, Ripley said. Academic training pathways will be available for students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Students will be able to complete their high school diplomas and obtain credentials or credits toward a college degree. The technical education facility will provide training in "programs that don't get highlighted as often as they should," Ripley said. It will also provide much-needed space for programs of study that are so popular the school district has been forced to turn students away due to space limitations, especially in the medical fields. In those fields, as well as in the building trades and aviation, interest is especially strong, he said. As an example, Ripley pointed to the CNA, or certified nurse assistant, training currently provided to high school students. "We have students start out as paid interns and work their way up," he said. "The question is, how do we get them into the pipeline at an earlier age?" In the CIA building, the area for CNA training has been designed and equipped to resemble what students will encounter in the real world, such as sinks and bathrooms to practice patient care skills. Space has also been designated as a lab to carry out certification testing. Another "real life" environment to enhance teaching is a simulated cafe setting for students in the culinary arts program. Leaders in the restaurant industry say it's important for students to learn "service and communicative skills," Ripley said. "It's those skills that sink restaurants, more than the chef or the food." On the tour, as he described the areas designated for building trades education and training, Ripley noted that there is "huge interest" in this field. "We'd love to get more females involved," he said. "I'd like to see more of a balance of males and females." Olson, with PCL/Community Contractors, said, "Fargo and Grand Forks are exploding right now," referring to the boom of activity in the business and industry sectors. In information technology, too, "there's a lot of interest and a lot of need," Ripley said. Rooms in the CIA have also been designed for traditional classroom instruction and are equipped for presentations. Dedicated spaces will give teachers who will teach online courses "a place to land," he said, and other areas are designated for students to study on their own. The residential house-building project, which has been conducted by Grand Forks high school students for years, will take place near the CIA, where a former credit union building once stood. An adjacent lot has been secured for potential CIA expansion in the future, Ripley said. Also, the CIA will provide space for area private-sector employers to retrain, recertify or upskill current employees, as well as "some flexible space that can be used for more than one purpose," he said. Post-secondary educational institutions will be able to provide training pathways, certifications and degree programs for adult learners. In many cases, college instructors will also be able to provide training to high school learners. Beginning in May and through the summer months, the focus will be on helping teachers become familiar with the features of their new workspace, said Ripley, who will serve as building administrator when the structure is completed. Among women, interest in the construction field has grown, industry leaders say. "There are no limits for women," Deschene said. "There are so many different aspects and roles in engineering." The tour was a valuable experience for the Women in Construction group because "it really built excitement about getting more kids involved with the trades and being able to highlight the important roles women play in the industry for future generations," said Erica LaMarca, executive administrator with Community Contractors. The local Women in Construction group was formed about a year ago to promote the role of women in many different aspects of the construction industry. Its members are working in areas such as commercial construction and the many trades, and as residential home builders and remodelers, architects, interior designers and bankers. The group's quarterly meetings allow women to showcase and tour local jobsites with projects under construction as well as the opportunity to connect with other women in the industry. New attendees are always welcome, organizers say.
CBC
08-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Women in trades push for change in Ontario, saying isolation, discrimination still a problem
Social Sharing Women in construction and trades say they continue to face isolation, discrimination and other barriers that must be addressed if the industry and the province want more of them in the field. Despite efforts by the province of Ontario and the industry to recruit more women and fill labour gaps, workers and advocates say women still face many challenges on the job, including social isolation, a lack of mentorship, scarce childcare options, inadequate bathrooms and harassment. Samara Sampson, co-founder of Women on Site (WOS), a networking and community group for women and underrepresented groups in the trades, says she sees more women on work sites than when she first started in the field, but not enough is being done to support them. Once, Sampson says she walked onto a job site and someone remarked, "'It's a little bit early on in the project to have the cleaners come to the site' — when I'm wearing a tool belt, I've got a shirt on that says 'sheet metal worker,'" she said. "A cleaner is an important job on site, but it's not the title that I hold." In recent years, the province has introduced initiatives specifically for women in the trades, including earmarking money for training programs and requiring women-only bathrooms on larger work sites in 2023. But with the final day of Women in Construction Week coinciding with International Women's Day, Sampson and others say there's an opportunity to recognize that more should be done. For example, while there are now more women-designated washrooms, Sampson says they're sometimes too far away from work sites. And when it comes to smaller projects, there are often not enough porta-potties for the number of workers and "they are not cleaned frequently enough." Brampton millwright and WOS member Cheryl Rowe says there's a "vast difference" in the attitudes and work conditions that exist now than in the past. Still, she says, more must be done if the industry wants to capitalize on an "untapped resource." "You want to feel comfortable and safe where you're working... a lot of us are just so burnt out," Rowe said. In a statement to CBC Toronto, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini said the province is removing barriers for women and "cracking down on virtual harassment, improving clean washroom standards, and requiring properly fitted protective equipment. "We've also introduced a new 16-week job-protected parental leave for adoptive parents and parents through surrogacy because you shouldn't have to choose between being a worker and a parent." Overcoming isolation through mentorship According to the Canadian Association of Women in Construction, women make up about five per cent of construction workers on-site nationally, despite industry efforts to hire more women. Mulisius Joe, the regional project coordinator with the Carpenters' Regional Council's Apprentice Integration and Development program, says mentorship is critical to retaining women in trades and helping them succeed. "Mentoring helps to encourage women to keep going, especially when they're having a difficult day or dealing with a difficult situation on site." Sampson says many women are the only ones on their job site and end up feeling like they don't belong there either because of coworkers' direct or indirect actions. She describes it as "1,000 little paper cuts." Rowe says she joined Sampson's group because it was important to have people "who understand what you're going through." During her apprenticeship, some men told her she didn't belong there, and now she's the only woman out of over 150 millwrights where she works. "A lot of the girls who are part of [WOS] are still apprentices," Rowe said. "It's great to be able to give them support and be like, 'Look, you can do this. Don't let these bad attitudes keep you from making a six-figure income.'" The ministry says anyone who has experienced workplace violence, harassment or discrimination should report their concerns by calling its health and safety contact centre at 1-877-202-0008.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taylor Morrison Breaks Barriers with an Increasing Number of Women in its Workforce Pursuing Construction Roles
America's Most Trusted Homebuilder celebrates Women in Construction Week SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Most Trusted® Home Builder, Taylor Morrison (NYSE: TMHC), continues to break barriers with an increasing number of women joining its organization. To celebrate Women in Construction Week recognized March 2-8, Taylor Morrison is featuring women in construction roles and releasing new workforce statistics. "With the homebuilding industry being traditionally male dominated, we're incredibly proud of the women at Taylor Morrison who continue to challenge that status quo and pursue the immense opportunities this meaningful career can provide for everyone," said Taylor Morrison Chairman and CEO Sheryl Palmer. "As an organization, we have experienced a growing number of women joining our workforce and are excited that they're paving the way for people from all backgrounds to consider a career in construction." Taylor Morrison has an increasing number of women joining its construction roles and seeing significant career growth. As of March 2025, Taylor Morrison reported: In the past decade, Taylor Morrison has seen an 887% increase in women who currently hold construction roles. Taylor Morrison has 45% female representation in its workforce – just over four times the U.S. construction industry average of 11%. Chairman and CEO Sheryl Palmer remains the only female that has ever led a publicly traded homebuilder and has been in her role since 2007. The Company's Board of Directors has a female majority, the highest in the industry. Dallas Build-to-Rent Assistant Land Project Manager, Haley Hoffman, didn't start her career in the homebuilding industry, but she has experienced exceptional career progression just three years after taking the plunge. Hoffman joined the Taylor Morrison team as a permit administrator and soon after moved to Taylor Morrison's build-for-rent brand, Yardly, as a Land Analyst. The team then offered her the opportunity to train in the field with project managers, where she developed the skills for her current role. When asked what her advice would be for women interested in pursuing the construction career path, she said: "Don't be afraid to ask questions and overcommunicate. If there's an opportunity to shadow someone who's an expert, take it!" said Hoffman. Indianapolis-based Superintendent Autumn Schmicker has been in the role for six years, where she spends her days walking job sites, working with trade partners, managing various construction tasks in progress, and coordinating schedules. She encourages women in the field to stop underestimating themselves, and to always find ways to build upon your skills. "My passion for the construction industry originated during my childhood, as I grew up watching my father run his own residential construction business and was inspired to follow in his footsteps. No two days are quite the same, which is one of my favorite parts of the job," said Schmicker. As a former Aviation Electrician in the Navy, Jacksonville-based Superintendent Tracey Michaels has been with Taylor Morrison for five years, delivered 100 homes, and even built the model home at the Cove at Beachwalk community in just 60 days. While she started her construction career in Warranty and focused on that for nearly a decade, she always wanted to be on the building side and feels her career has now come full circle as a Superintendent. "I love starting from dirt and seeing a completed product in the end. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing the joy on a homeowner's face after delivering their dream home," said Michaels. About Taylor Morrison Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation's leading homebuilders and developers. We serve a wide array of consumers from coast to coast, including first-time, move-up, luxury and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under our family of brands—including Taylor Morrison, Esplanade and Yardly. From 2016-2025, Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America's Most Trusted® Builder by Lifestory Research. Our long-standing commitment to sustainable operations is highlighted in our annual Sustainability and Belonging Report. For more information about Taylor Morrison, please visit CONTACT:media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Taylor Morrison
