Buffalo construction to benefit from stadium worker training

Indeed, ongoing efforts to build a diverse and expanded workforce in the construction trades should leave the region with a larger pool of skilled workers available to work on other projects once their time is on the job. stadium project completed.

This is a positive side effect of the continued focus on preparing contractors and training workers in trades at the new stadium. We are confident that the expanded contractor base and skilled workforce will become a valuable resource for other major projects, such as the construction of the Kensington Expressway and other major infrastructure initiatives in the City of Buffalo.

While ensuring that the goals of using minority-owned, women-owned and service-disabled businesses are met for stadium construction, the economic impact team working on the project aims to build an inclusive group of entrepreneurs and small businesses capable of undertaking projects beyond this. A.

Additionally, construction industry leaders continue to seek to build the capacity of a skilled workforce by training high school students, professionals looking for a career change, and new Americans.

“We’re in Bills stadium right now, but I think we have to continue to look at what’s happening and what’s coming,” said Janie McKinnie, who runs Developments by Jem, the consultant hired in February to collaborate with local minorities. business owners, helping to ensure diversity recruiting goals are met on the stadium project.

“We need to make sure we have a ready workforce for these projects, as well as this project,” she added.

Three years ago, the federal government made an unprecedented investment in transportation and infrastructure with the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. dollars for new investments and programs. It allows places like Western New York to receive major investments in infrastructure projects.

But at the same time, the construction sector faces a severe labor shortage, with around 2 million new workers needed by 2025, studies show. Local developers already say the Bills stadium project is delaying other construction projects in Buffalo Niagara because of the large number of workers involved in the new Orchard Park football stadium.

“It’s not just about today’s projects, like the stadium, which extend over several years, but which will have an end, it’s about guaranteeing job security,” said Carley Hill, who owns a site construction services company and also runs startup Clarence Cahill Tech, which provides online training and compliance tools for construction companies.

“This will allow people to not only get into the industry, but also keep their jobs and build up a pension and benefits for their family,” she added.

After a few decades of increased focus on infrastructure preservation, new reconstruction projects are on the horizon. However, many trades workers with experience on these types of projects have since retired, said Gary Hill, Carley’s father and owner of Union Construction.

“There’s momentum right now, but we’re a little behind schedule,” said Hill, who is among the prime contractors on the Bills Stadium project. “There will be a lot of work to do in the next 10 years.”

Gilbane Turner, the general contractor for the new stadium project, recently added Cherelle Syph as economic inclusion manager, and she has already been active in outreach for the project, making sure the community is aware of the type work available for this and future projects. the region.

She said Gilbane Building Co. and Turner Construction are engaging in opportunities beyond the scope of the Bills project. They hosted a workshop in March hoping to expand access and explain opportunities for local small businesses. She said companies are also considering creating a series of workshops and partnering with organizations such as Construction Exchange.

Not understanding the process is one of the biggest barriers for MWBEs and small businesses wanting to access some of the largest construction jobs. There is a need to educate these companies on how to obtain insurance, certifications and build capacity.

“We want to do all of this for other projects in the area as well,” Syph said. “Both Gilbane and Turner have numerous projects in the area, so we want to make sure that people not only have the opportunity to work on this project, but also the opportunity to work on future projects.”

Penny Semaia, vice president of stadium relations for the Bills, said the team, which signed a 30-year lease for the new stadium, is also approaching this project with future construction in mind.

“Our mindset goes beyond just building the stadium,” said Semaia, a member of the new stadium’s community benefits oversight committee. “We’re going to be here and our commitment to Western New York is long-term.”

Some of the upcoming projects include improvements to the Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, reimagining and rebuilding city neighborhoods around Tifft, Louisiana and Main Streets, and additional work near the Front of Buffalo.

Gilbane Turner hosted meet-and-greet sessions – where hundreds of suppliers were able to network – contractor briefings, and opportunity and awareness meetings for the stadium project.

These sessions could also be useful to entrepreneurs in future projects. Even if a company doesn’t get work on this project or isn’t yet prepared, it can be put on a path for future participation, Syph said.

During this time, Developments by Jem participated in community career events, fielded calls about project opportunities, and attended career workshops and engagement events. It also connects contractors with county officials as well as Empire State Development to ensure their certifications match future opportunities.

“This is a unique opportunity to leave a mark and an impact that I think few of these organizations have had before,” McKinnie said.

The company has also established links with young people interested in opportunities in the trades. At one event, 1,500 high school students from Western New York came with their resumes looking for opportunities in the trades.

“Our workforce development must be built from a generation of people younger than us to ensure that the trades are filled and that we can have these able-bodied workers for future projects like this” , McKinnie said.

Gary Hill said it’s important for the education system to encourage students to attend trade schools, while construction companies open their doors to the next generation of workers.

“The whole sector needs to embrace and encourage training – businesses, engineering firms and agencies –,” he said. “The stadium is a perfect example. There are a lot of apprentices and the membership is very high because they are building something new and something they will always be proud of.

CAHill Resources graduates its latest class of 62 from the aQuiRe Construction Academy, a two-month hybrid training that combines in-person and online learning and provides mentoring, exposure to emerging technologies, certifications and stipends for childcare and transportation costs.

The training program is aimed at those who want to work in the construction sector – regardless of their previous experience and training – and then promises to quickly place them into jobs as apprentices.

Carley Hill intends to train more than 300 people through this initiative by the end of the year. That includes training about 50 people later this year in Central New York, where the Micron and I-81 projects are underway.