Category: Labor & Workforce Development
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Bobcat Appoints First Ever Chief Marketing Officer
Bobcat Company has appointed Laura Ness Owens as its first Chief Marketing Officer, a new executive role overseeing global marketing, brand, customer experience and corporate communications. Ness Owens has been with the company since 2003, serving in various leadership roles across marketing, communications, dealer development, and brand management. Most recently, she held the position of…
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Bobcat Appoints First Ever Chief Marketing Officer
Bobcat Company has appointed Laura Ness Owens as its first Chief Marketing Officer, a new executive role overseeing global marketing, brand, customer experience and corporate communications. Ness Owens has been with the company since 2003, serving in various leadership roles across marketing, communications, dealer development, and brand management. Most recently, she held the position of…
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Hiring AI in Equipment Rental
The skilled labor crisis isn’t on the horizon—it’s already here. Millions of Baby Boomers with decades of hard-earned knowledge and experience in the field service industry are retiring and equipment dealers and rental businesses are feeling the effects: shrinking profits, rising costs, and a knowledge gap that threatens efficiency and customer satisfaction. This isn’t just about…
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DOGE Reforms Trigger Surge in Federal Construction Contract Terminations
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has launched sweeping reforms aimed at eliminating waste, streamlining procurement and reallocating federal funds away from underperforming or redundant programs. While DOGE’s mission focuses on government operations, government contractors – including in the construction industry – are feeling the ripple effects of the department’s actions. One of the most…
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Work Safe, Stay Cool: Heat Protection Tips for Summer Construction Sites
As the sun turns up the heat and we celebrate Independence Day, it’s the perfect time to refresh our commitment to staying safe on the job. Summer on the construction site brings its own set of challenges — dehydration, fatigue and heat-related illness, just to name a few. But with a few smart moves, we…
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Skanska USA Promotes Three Texas Leaders to Project Executive Roles
Skanska USA Building, one of the world’s leading construction and development firms, has announced the promotion of three people in its Texas market — Blake Beran, Tom Hull and Ben Johnson — to Project Executive. All three exhibit exceptional leadership and relationship skills, ensuring building projects are properly managed, start to finish. Since joining Skanska…
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Lou Parous on the 2025 Concrete Reinforcement Industry
With more than 30 years of experience and dedication to the steel sector, Lou Parous is a leader in international business and a long-time technical professional in the global metals, engineering, technical services, and large-scale construction segment. His outstanding communication skills and strategic mindset make him an exceptional consensus builder and innovator. In March 2025,…
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5 Things AI Still Can’t Do on a Jobsite (and Probably Never Will)
Artificial intelligence is doing impressive things in construction — optimizing schedules, scanning for safety issues, analyzing jobsite data, and even predicting equipment failures before they happen. But for all its brainpower, there are still some jobs AI can’t handle — and probably never will. Because the truth is, no algorithm can replace what seasoned pros…
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Construction Leaders Double Down on Workforce Planning Amid Labor Crisis
A new industry report from Bridgit reveals that 98% of construction leaders plan to increase investments in workforce planning over the next year, with nearly all turning to AI, automation and advanced analytics to navigate the construction industry’s intensifying labor crisis. The 2025 State of Workforce Planning report surveyed hundreds of construction executives across operations, project management, human resources,…
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Rebuilding the Craft Workforce: Strategies for Retention and Growth
The construction industry has long grappled with the challenge of attracting and retaining skilled craft professionals. Following a significant slowdown in hiring, it’s more important than ever to reexamine how we engage with the people who bring our projects to life. As demand begins to rise again, the workforce isn’t returning at the same pace.…