AGC and NAMC Sign Partnering Agreement

PHOENIX - The Associated General Contractors of America and the National Association of Minority Contractors signed a partnering agreement pledging to promote construction markets, improve the industry's image and provide opportunities for all construction firms. The agreement was signed at the 2004 AGC Midyear Meeting.

The associations will partner to develop meaningful dialog to foster development of communications at the national and local levels; promote the use of mentor-protˇgˇ programs to better the construction industry by empowering minority-owned firms with access to business services and other programs designed to increase competitiveness; and collaborate on industry issues that improve the business climate for all contractors.

"AGC would like to thank NAMC for joining with us in our mutual goal of improving the construction industry," said Jim Waltze, AGC's president. AGC is the largest construction industry association in the United States, with 99 chapters representing approximately 33,000 general contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers.

NAMC represents members in 49 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Members include general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, manufacturers, suppliers, local minority contractor associations, attorneys, accountants and other professionals. The association seeks to address construction industry concerns common to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and other minority groups.

Society of Safety Engineers' Survey Says Education Pays

DES PLAINES, Ill. - A recent compensation analysis sanctioned by the American Society of Safety Engineers found the average member salary in 2003 to be $74,000, with half of the respondents receiving a bonus of between $1,000 and $5,000. And the majority of those surveyed anticipate a salary increase this year of about 4.6 percent.

The survey, conducted by Block Research Inc. and found that professional ASSE members (those with a P.E., CSP, CIH, CHP, CRSP or IOSH-RSP or BA from an accredited college, plus 10 years of safety experience) earn nearly $10,000 more.

The survey also found that having a bachelor's degree adds nearly $12,000 to one's salary and a master's degree nearly $20,000 compared to a high school diploma only. A certified safety professional designation adds $10,500 to a salary. In addition to salary and bonuses, 61 percent are reimbursed for professional development, with the annual amount spent per employee ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

The survey found that safety, health and environmental practitioners with 10 or more years of experience earn about $20,000 more than those with less than five years' experience. As responsibility and stature within a company increases, so too, does salary - rising from $57,410 for entry-level positions to $97,760 for executive-level positions.

Survey results found the electronics and finance industries ranked the highest in terms of compensation for SH&E practitioners, with education and agriculture ranking the lowest.

The 34-question survey developed by ASSE was sent to a randomly selected group of 2,500 members and professional members. Of the 1,624 returned surveys, respondents represented all business categories with more than half from the manufacturing, construction, insurance, services and public administration sector.

The median age of the respondents was 46-50 years of age and 93 percent work full time, with seven percent self-employed. In the majority of the companies represented by respondents safety and health functions are grouped together, with environmental functions handled separately. Fifty-one percent surveyed say they are responsible for 100 percent of their company's safety, health and environmental budget.

Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE has 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members.

Conference Attendees Say Women Slowly Making Inroads in Industry

Even so, they own only 9 percent of all construction companies

By Robert Carlsen

SAN FRANCISCO - The construction industry is seeing more women on jobsites site and in the offices lately, according to a group of female executives who shared their experiences and visions for the future at the first annual "Groundbreaking Women in Construction" conference held here Sept. 30.

The conference -- sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction --was held at the historic Merchants Exchange Building (designed by famed architect Julia Morgan), drew about 320 participants, including contractors, architects, lawyers, managers, subcontractors and government officials.

Women still trying to increase their numbers in this male-dominated industry, despite having to deal with discrimination, harassment, lack of respect from men onsite, motherhood issues and other factors was the prevailing theme of the keynote addresses and panel discussions.

"Up until now, a construction engineer was not thought of as a viable job for women," said Lucy Morris-Tyndall, vice president and chief information officer for Swinerton Inc. Women have slowly been making an impact as engineers, she said, rising from 5.8 percent of the industry in 1983 to 10.6 percent in 1999.

Even so, 9 percent of all construction companies today are women-owned, according to Nancy Eaton, NAWIC president.

Morris-Tyndall said that it was up to the women in the ballroom to encourage young girls to look seriously at careers in construction by "becoming role models" by hosting career days at schools, being a big sister and supporting math and science networks.

Eaton said that she's seeing more women being hired by female owners of construction companies because "they speak our language."

Many speakers told of their decisions to hold off having children until they had risen in the ranks of management.

In one panel, titled "Women Construction Executives: Key Issues in Creating Success, Gaining Ground, Status Quo or an Ongoing Battle," Janet Rogers, vice president of Stacy and Witbeck, said she waited 15 years before she had children, giving her time to climb the ranks of the Alameda-based general contracting firm before taking time off. Speakers also added that it would help greatly if they could marry a man who can at least share some of the family duties.

Members of the panel also said women in construction should consider carefully if they really want to join the "boys club," which, "typically included a lot of golf or other man-type activities and drinking."

Regina Carter, a manager at AON Risk Services, a nationwide insurance broker, said that if women decline invitations to go out with the "boys," then they could miss out of some important decision making opportunities.

Jackie Costigan, operations manager-special projects division in the Seattle office of Turner Construction Co., said she had never really wanted to learn to play golf, but that she finally did and now likes it. "It really is a good way to establish relationships with your clients and celebrate the successes of projects," she said.