In today’s news, we will look at the government division of Tutor Perini, known as Perini Management Services, which was awarded three contracts worth a total of $164 million. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new public health lab building in Providence’s Jewelry District, Brown University was recognized as a key collaborator and a pioneer in the life sciences. The first of its kind in Australia, the benefit-sharing scheme is intended for landowners who host new transmission lines. Developing a workforce for the Canadian construction industry.
Perini gets 3 federal jobs for $164M
Original Source: Tutor Perini snares 3 federal jobs for $164M
Hurricane repairs at a U.S. Coast Guard base in Puerto Rico and a historic hotel restoration are planned.
Tutor Perini’s government unit, Perini Management Services, earned three $164 million federal contracts.
Two $132.5 million Coast Guard initiatives in Puerto Rico will focus on disaster rebuilding.
The third project, worth $31.6 million, involves the historic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, California.
The three award announcements will be included in the company’s third quarter 2022 backlog. They follow the firm’s $4 billion win of a roadway project on the Capitol Beltway surrounding Washington, D.C.
The Coast Guard’s projects in Puerto Rico include demolishing old buildings and infrastructure, creating new ones, site work, asphalt, utilities, water distribution, waterfront work, and base resiliency.
The 44,000-square-foot Multi-Mission Building will house an armory, station and navigation equipment, and a utilities plant. Work will begin immediately and end in May 2027, according to Tutor Perini.
The 150,000-square-foot Ahwahnee Hotel, built in 1927 near Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, will undergo restorations and repairs to meet modern laws, seismic safety standards, and accessibility requirements. Perini’s tutoring will respect historic preservation rules.
Perini Management Services is a Tutor Perini business that specializes in design-build construction for U.S. federal agencies.
Public-private life sciences development begins in Providence’s Jewelry District
Original Source: Major public-private life sciences development breaks ground in Providence’s Jewelry District
Brown University was honored as a vital partner and life sciences leader at the groundbreaking for a new public health lab building, which will also house university and commercial lab space.
On Oct. 24, Brown officials joined Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, the state’s congressional delegation, and a lineup of government, health, and medicine leaders to break ground on a 212,000-square-foot building that will house a new state health lab, life sciences labs for Brown University, and additional biotechnology space.
Dr. Megan Ranney, deputy dean of Brown’s School of Public Health, represented the University and noted the relevance of the new space in helping researchers tackle illness, aging, biology, cancer, addiction, firearm violence, and public health.
U.S. Rep. David Cicilline emphasized the significance of investing in the life sciences to improve biomedical and public health research and spur Providence’s economic growth. Cicilline acknowledged Brown’s history of investing in the community and its contributions to the rebuilding of Providence’s Jewelry District, including South Street Landing, the Innovation Center at 225 Dyer St., and a planned integrated life sciences facility.
“When I was first elected mayor [in 2003], we started talking about the prospects this 195 property would bring,” Cicilline remarked. “Our cooperation with Brown University has sped up the process… This project will give the excellent academics, researchers, and innovators in this facility state-of-the-art facilities to discover new therapies, materials, and approaches to improve the health and well-being of our state’s citizens.
Rain held off as groundbreaking attendees gathered under a tent at the intersection of Clifford and Richmond streets, where the future seven-story building will house the Rhode Island Department of Health State Health Laboratories as the anchor tenant with 80,000 square feet to accommodate biological and chemical testing for infectious disease, environmental, and forensic testing services.
Brown signed a letter of intent to lease 20,000 square feet of laboratory space in the building for 10 years to attract additional tenants and encourage a mix of public and private entities focused on health and medicine. This is one example of Brown’s “enormous role in driving the renaissance in this community by their thoughtful and large-scale investments,” said Josh Parker, CEO of project developer Ancora L&G during Monday’s event.
Before the ceremony, Brown President Christina H. Paxson stated the University will continue to emphasize investments in life sciences research and economic activity, especially where Brown’s engagement can assist attract new partners to Rhode Island.
“When we can satisfy our academic needs for extra space to advance high-impact research and generate investments from new commercial partners, we see benefits not just for Brown, but also for Providence and Rhode Island’s economic vitality,” said Paxson. We are pleased to see state and federal leaders, Ancora L&G, and Brown introduce RIDOH to the Jewelry District. This latest life sciences advancement shows how we can make a bigger influence jointly than alone.
The day of the groundbreaking, Brown issued a definitive Operational Plan for Investing in Research to boost research in all sectors over the next five to seven years. U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin called Brown an “economic engine” for the state.
Langevin: “This new project will develop life sciences labs for Brown University and expand biotechnology space, turbocharging Rhode Island’s fast-growing life sciences industry and providing decent, paying jobs.”
RIDOH Interim Director Dr. Utpala Bandy called labs “the backbone of the public health system,” and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse hailed the project’s sweeping benefits. Whitehouse, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Langevin, and Cicilline helped secure $81.7 million in CDC funding for its state laboratory portion.
“This is incredibly significant as a new state-of-the-art facility the state needs,” Whitehouse said. It’s a partnership with Brown University that we’re excited about. This is a launchpad for the state’s biotech industry. And it’s a good investment in our capital.
“Four for four,” he said.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky was supposed to attend the groundbreaking but was diagnosed with COVID-19, Reed said.
Officials cited Brown’s nearby academic activities pertinent to RIDOH, including education and research at the Warren Alpert Medical School, Laboratories for Molecular Medicine, and School of Public Health. They also discussed the project’s collaborative impact and potential to develop research that will benefit communities locally, nationally, and globally.
“This area will become a magnet for life sciences and biotechnology,” stated R.I. Sen. Joshua Miller. Thanks to Brown University’s partnership, this facility will lure talent from around the world to our state and equip them to be innovators in the workforce of the future.
Before the ceremonial digging of dirt to inaugurate the project, Ranney finished speaking. She lauded the public-private cooperation that will draw life science researchers and doctors to the building.
This initiative is another example of Brown participating in a commercial tax-paying enterprise that benefits Providence and Rhode Island, Ranney said. “Together, we’ll improve medicine, health care, community, and population health in Rhode Island, the nation, and the world.”
Australia’s first benefit sharing scheme for transmission line landowners
Original Source: Australia’s first benefit sharing scheme for landowners hosting new transmission lines
Landowners in NSW who host electricity transmission lines will profit from a new scheme to promote the development of a modern grid.
Private landowners in NSW will get $200,000 per kilometer of new transmission infrastructure housed on their land over 20 years, linked to CPI.
Paul Toole, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, said the project is the first of its kind in Australia and reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to constructing a modern power grid that benefits communities and people.
Most of the new transmission infrastructure will be developed in regional NSW, according to Mr. Toole.
Supporting landowners and regional communities will help us create the network we need to maintain energy security, supply, and affordability for NSW families.
Maximizing the economic benefits of this new infrastructure and assisting regional communities are crucial to the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and the effective delivery of the Renewable Energy Zones.
Mr. Toole said NSW’s ambitious renewable energy program is needed to replace its aging coal-fired power facilities and develop a clean energy future.
“The program is part of our commitment to share the advantages of a dependable, clean, and inexpensive electricity system with landowners,” said Mr. Kean.
“This is a big win for landowners across NSW that will almost quadruple the average payment they presently receive. Importantly, the rate of the payments will be determined the same way no matter where you reside to ensure all landowners are treated fairly under the scheme.”
The concept will apply to the Central-West Orana Transmission Project, Project EnergyConnect, HumeLink, the New England Transmission Project, and the Hunter Transmission Project.
The scheme’s payments are separate from the one-time upfront compensation granted to landowners for transmission easements under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
Canada’s construction workforce
Original Source: Building the Canadian construction workforce
A broader outlook can help the sector grow.
Since the end of 2020, when the construction industry began recovering from pandemic shutdowns, it has experienced significant development. Research and Markets predicts this period will grow 5% each year through at least 2026. To meet this demand, the Canadian construction industry faces an increasing labor deficit as fewer employees choose construction employment.
This manpower deficit goes beyond short-term labor market challenges caused by supply and demand peaks and troughs. A variety of long-term factors have converged to create a workforce problem.
One of the main causes of the dilemma is the aging of the construction industry’s workforce. The rate of retirement causes a loss of experienced personnel as they retire. One is Canada’s aging population. Fewer people join the workforce each year. A long-term demographic change has led more individuals to pursue college degrees and not consider construction as a vocation.
Last trend is noteworthy since it shows a perception problem. Modern structure doesn’t like the vision many people have from the past, but it’s hard to shake. Construction is a technology-driven business that relies on educated workers and high-tech tools. Due to this perceived problem and other labor issues, the construction business isn’t attracting enough people.
For the industry to overcome this manpower crisis, we need a better approach for attracting workers, especially individuals who may not otherwise consider construction. Making construction occupations more attractive to women and minorities.
DIVERSITY USE
Canadian women possess a huge construction employment potential. Females make up half the population yet hold fewer than 15% of construction positions in Canada and less than 3% of skilled trades. The few women in the sector frequently assume office roles, but that doesn’t reflect their potential.
Canada’s Indigenous Peoples are underrepresented in construction. This group represents only 1 in 10 jobs in the business, but it’s a huge untapped talent pool for the Canadian construction industry’s future staffing needs.
Modern times, new approaches
While some construction activities are still physically demanding, modern technologies and techniques have shifted the industry’s focus from brute strength and tenacity to skill and adaptability.
The modular building market is changing. Modularity and an industrialized approach to building allow for shorter on-site production and promote safety, quality, cost savings, and predictability, making construction employment more attractive to more people.
Modular design relies on off-site production, where components are made in a controlled, safer setting. The controlled, off-site manufacturing setting offers regular hours, predictable commutes, greater training, and continuous supervision. Less is unknown than on a construction site.
ON THE SPOT
So many components of the construction process can now be done in regulated off-site settings, which is a huge step forward. However, certain construction work will always need to be done on a jobsite. Next, to make construction work more friendly and appealing to all possible workers, improve the work environment on building sites.
Physical safety is key to embracing various groups, but verbal and emotional safety are as crucial.
Four in 10 Canadians experienced workplace harassment in a 2021 survey by WomanACT and SCWIST. Women’s rate (50%) was far greater than men’s (33%), which is unacceptable. We must call out bad actors and behaviors.
Empowering and engaging team leads (foremen and superintendents) to cooperate and call out possibilities for improvement is vital to building a non-hostile work environment – a place employees want to come up to every day. To make workers feel appreciated and valued.
Beyond removing poor behavior, proactive firms invest in positive behavior. Eye contact, team input, and not talking over others are important for leaders. Build a valued and safe workplace. These can help:
- Making it a condition of employment to report inappropriate or unfriendly behavior
- Ensure workplace signs and safety posters reflect diversity.
- Meetings with more women and underrepresented groups.
- Subcontractor and supply chain diversity incentives.
- A suggestion box allows people to make anonymous suggestions or raise issues.
- Ensure a women’s locker room and restroom.
- Ladies’ PPE.
Use tech
Not only can technology help us advance projects with safety and efficiency, but it can also assist crews and management work smarter while highlighting advancements in the trades’ instruments — particularly those that will appeal to young potential workers.
Pandemic has sped up the usage of drones for surveying and augmented reality for jobsite checks. These new tools allow project owners and managers to keep up without being on-site. Gaining site knowledge to familiarize personnel and enable speedy decision making to keep projects on track is another big benefit. Un “advance crew” of flying robots keeps workers safe and out of danger.
Finally, you must appeal to future workers’ incentives. Construction is generally misunderstood as nasty, repetitive work. As an industry, we must show that a job in construction is rewarding and secure. This dynamic field keeps its participants busy. Every new build reveals a new business. This is the perfect industry for lifelong learners.
Change needs only a few leaders. You may develop a worksite culture that welcomes a broad group of new hires. And it is feasible to transform the perception of the industry so that workers regard job sites as safe places for individuals of all shades to work hard, feel respected, and develop meaningful careers in a technology-driven and ever-evolving sector. Diversity and inclusion can boost Canada’s construction industry and build for the future.
Nancy Novak is Compass Datacenters’ CIO. With over 30 years of construction experience, she is an expert in cutting-edge technology, lean techniques, and innovative culture via diversity.
Summary of today’s construction news
Overall, today we discussed the government unit of Tutor Perini, Perini Management Services, which awarded three federal contracts worth $164 million and the three awards will be reflected in the third quarter of 2022 backlog for the company. Brown University was celebrated during the groundbreaking for a 212,000-square-foot building that will house a new state health lab, Brown University life sciences labs, and biotechnology space. Landowners in New South Wales, Australia, who host electricity transmission lines will benefit financially from a new program that is designed to encourage the development of a modern grid. The expansion of the industry’s horizons is facilitated by a more global perspective. The aging of the construction workforce is a major contributor to the current predicament; thus, it is urgent that Canada begin to train a new generation of construction workers.
