Category: Labor & Workforce Development
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How Safety Professionals Can Control Costs Without Compromising Worker Protection
Economic volatility and persistent financial pressures characterize the current economic landscape. Businesses across all industries are scrutinizing every expenditure, leading to widespread calls for belt-tightening and greater efficiency. One area where this scrutiny is especially evident is how organizations allocate resources for critical initiatives, including workplace safety. Healthcare costs are set to increase by 5.8-9%…
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Staying Productive in 2025: State of the Concrete Industry
Jeff Keeling, vice president of sales and marketing at Brokk Inc., shares his insight into the state of the concrete industry and the challenges contractors are managing daily. Concrete Contractor connected with Keeling over email in June 2025. Q. Where are concrete contractors at with employment and the skilled labor shortage? Labor shortages continue to…
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National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Appoints New CEO
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has appointed Sheronda L. Carr as its new chief executive officer, effective July 7, 2025. Carr, an experienced association executive, takes the helm of the organization focused on workforce development and advocacy for women in the construction industry. Carr succeeds Interim Executive Director Velma Hart, who has…
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The Truth About Burnout in Construction: Why Pushing Through Isn’t a Badge of Honor
In construction, we wear hard work like a badge of honor. Long days, sore backs, skipped lunches — “toughing it out” is often seen as part of the job. But this push-through thought process is worsening a serious burnout problem. When Hard Work Becomes Harmful Burnout isn’t just feeling tired. It’s mental, physical and emotional…
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Commercial Contractors See Steady Growth in 2025, but Labor and Cost Challenges Continue
Despite ongoing labor shortages and rising costs, commercial service contractors are entering the second half of 2025 with cautious optimism, according to a new industry report from ServiceTitan and Thrive Analytics. More than two-thirds of contractors surveyed reported stable or growing revenues through May, and 53% are optimistic about the market outlook for the rest…
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On the Concrete Pavement: State of the Concrete Industry
Don Weaver, president of Weaver-Bailey Contractors and the 2025 Board of Directors Chairman of the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and Edward Wessel, president/COO of Hi-Way Paving Inc. and second vice chair of the ACPA, shares their insight into the state of the concrete industry and the challenges contractors are managing daily. Concrete Contractor connected…
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A Perfect Storm of Challenges: State of the Concrete Industry
Concrete contractors in 2025 are facing a perfect storm of challenges that are reshaping how work gets done on-site, impacting project timelines, budgets, and workforce stability. From labor gaps and QC headaches to price spikes and unpredictable pipelines, contractors are under pressure from all sides in 2025. Success this year means staying flexible, adopting tech…
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Trade Over Tuition: Check Out 2025’s Top 5 Construction Careers with Growth Potential
As the price of a traditional four-year college degree continues to climb, more young Americans are questioning whether a diploma is worth the debt. New data shows that a growing number of students are trading college lecture halls for hands-on careers in construction — and the industry-in-need is ready to welcome them. Trade school enrollment…
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Lubrication Engineers Acquires SWEPCO to Expand Grease and Lubricants Portfolio
Lubrication Engineers (LE) has acquired Southwestern Petroleum Lubricants (SWEPCO), a Texas-based manufacturer of industrial greases and oils. The deal marks LE’s third acquisition in 2025 and continues the company’s expansion under private equity firm Aurora Capital Partners. Founded in 1933, SWEPCO specializes in high-performance greases, oils, and lubricants used in industrial and food-grade applications. Its…
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Beat the Heat: OSHA-Backed Heat Safety Strategies Every Contractor Should Use
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related work fatalities in the United States, with construction workers accounting for more than a third of all heat-related deaths. As average daily temperatures continue to rise, it’s critical to protect workers from extreme heat and heat-related risks. Understanding Heat Stress and Heat-related Illnesses Outdoor workers, especially those…