National Apprenticeship Week Contractor Networking Breakfast and Panel Discussion
“Apprenticeship is the future of the industry.”
Vennicia Kingston
Founder & CEO, Eagle Eye Construction, LLC
Building Futures Graduate & Board Member;
Journeyworker, LIUNA 271
To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Building Futures hosted a panel celebrating the innovative ways construction industry stakeholders are adapting the apprenticeship model to meet the industry’s specific needs for recruiting younger workers and developing a highly skilled workforce.
The panel was moderated by Shelby Mack, Chief Apprenticeship Expansion Officer at Building Futures, and included Damien Carini, Manager of Innovation & Team Development, and Ianee Gomes, Assistant Project Engineer Apprentice, both from Dimeo Construction; Merri Rego, Director of Human Resources at DiPrete Engineering; Mike Busam, Operations Manager at Gilbane; and Vennicia Kingston, Founder and CEO of Eagle Eye Construction.
At the start of the panel, Andrew Cortés, Building Futures’ President & CEO, discussed some startling statistics. Rhode Island’s construction workforce is aging – workers 55 and older are the fastest-growing group of industry workers. In fact, according to the RI Department of Labor and Training’s (RIDLT) Occupational Outlook, Rhode Island will need to fill 23,500 construction jobs by 2032 – that’s a turnover of more than 80% of the current workforce.
Registered Apprenticeship is crucial to meeting Rhode Island’s looming construction workforce shortage. Shelby Mack pointed out that “construction is facing a workforce crisis, and if we’re only drawing on a small portion of the population, we’ll never fill the gap.”
The workforce gap extends to other industry roles. As Mr. Carini shared, Dimeo Construction launched its Assistant Project Engineer registered apprenticeship program to expand its talent pool. Dimeo saw how the apprenticeship model, which for more than 100 years has trained generations of tradespeople, could be applied to project management roles, and that without a structured system for on-the-job learning and mentorship, they were missing opportunities to recruit talent.
With technical assistance from Building Futures’ Apprenticeship Rhode Island initiative, Dimeo created a registered apprenticeship pathway for candidates who had completed pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship readiness programs in the trades, were passionate about the work, but didn’t necessarily see themselves working as a tradesperson. He cited multiple successes with the program, from attracting more diverse candidates to developing more highly qualified employees.
“At the end of the apprenticeship, some of our apprentices have more certifications than our Senior Project Managers.”
Damien Carini, Manager of Innovation & Team Development, Dimeo Construction, on the efficacy of Dimeo’s project engineer apprenticeship program.
Diprete is also expanding the use of registered apprenticeship to meet industry needs. Last year, Diprete launched Rhode Island’s first land surveyor apprenticeship program, also with the support of Building Futures, recognizing that they, too, lacked a formalized training pathway to grow their workforce to the next generation. Merri Rego noted that Diprete realized an unanticipated benefit in implementing their new apprenticeship program. As they developed seasoned workers as trainers and mentors, those staff members experienced renewed engagement and excitement in their work.
“Your experienced staff may be ready to shift out of the field, but are 5 -10 years from retirement, and still have valuable skills to share.”
Merri Rego, Director of Human Resources at DiPrete Engineering, on the impact of developing internal training led by senior staff.
Ianee Gomes discussed how she has grown thanks to mentorship from experienced staff at Dimeo throughout her apprenticeship. As she was exposed to various aspects of project management, Ms. Gomes discovered a passion for jobsite safety, an aspect of the work that excites her to show up every day. She credited the apprenticeship model with significant personal and professional growth, noting the quality of formalized training and grace given for mistakes while learning.
“With the resources apprenticeship has given me, I’ve been able to lead meetings, make connections, learn patience, ask questions… apprenticeship says ‘we’re here to teach you, and if you mess up, we’ll teach you how to do it right next time.'”
Ianee Gomes, Assistant Project Engineer Apprentice, Dimeo Construction
As a builder and developer, Gilbane takes the construction industry’s looming shortage of tradesmen and women seriously. While, as prime contractors, they are not in a position to hire apprentices directly, Gilbane understood it could set policies and standards that could ripple throughout the industry. Since 2012, Gilbane has made apprentice utilization an organization-wide policy, ensuring that 15% of all labor hours on Gilbane projects are performed by apprentices. Mike Busam noted that taking that commitment seriously means holding subcontractors accountable to those standards, achieved through thorough project monitoring of Building Futures’ Apprentice Utilization Program.
Mr. Busam spoke to the value of apprenticeship in attracting young talent and the positive impact of registered apprenticeship on job safety, labor costs, and return on investment. Gilbane’s commitment to registered apprenticeship gives them and their subcontractors a competitive advantage. Workers who complete apprenticeships are 34% safer on jobsites, have higher productivity, and are retained in the industry at higher rates –apprentice utilization generates big returns in reduced turnover, productivity, quality, and safety. He encouraged industry leaders to foster apprenticeship, provide access to opportunities, and hold people accountable for the utilization of apprentices.
“This isn’t difficult, it’s just a commitment you have to make… I’m asking my other Construction Managers in this room to step up.”
Mike Busam, Operations Manager at Gilbane Building Company, speaking on Gilbane’s policy of 15% apprenticeship utilization on all projects.
Vennicia Kingston, whose company, Eagle Eye Construction, has worked as a subcontractor on Gilbane projects, credits registered apprenticeship as a powerful strategy for creating economic opportunity for community residents. “As we shift our industry cultures to center on learning, there are retention and financial benefits,” Kingston shared. Ms. Kingston highlighted registered apprenticeships’ impact in attracting and retaining young people to the trades by providing opportunities for growth and by helping new workers recognize that they are part of something bigger. She observed that apprenticeship allows for “training up”- turning apprentices into foremen and growing a highly skilled workforce through internal promotion.
“Apprenticeship is a strong, valuable tool if used properly. It can reset the culture of our industry… it is the future of the industry.”
Vennicia Kingston
Founder and CEO of Eagle Eye Construction, LLC
Building Futures Graduate & Board Member;
Journeyworker, LIUNA 271