Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is no stranger to Rhode Island. As the decision was made to build a new corporate headquarters in downtown Providence, Building Futures welcomed the opportunity to partner around the Apprentice Utilization Program.

BCBS, through Dimeo Construction, has been leading by example from the start of the construction. Building Futures met with Dimeo in the early phases of the building process, creating a 'hiring plan' for new and local apprentices to start with different craft contractors as the project progressed.

The AUP in this case was integrated directly into the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in place for the BCBS headquarters construction. Dimeo Construction has clearly shown their commitment and enthusiasm for the program, helping to facilitate nine graduates of Building Futures being placed in a variety of trades and contractors.

With the construction fully underway, Building Futures and Dimeo continue to work towards the 25 to 30 placements that were planned for at the project's start on the behalf of BCBS.

We are particularly impressed with the proactive stance of Dimeo Construction in helping to create a skilled trades' workforce of tomorrow through us and the AUP - we have every confidence that the goals of BCBS will be met.