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Industry News
President Biden Applauds the Talent Pipeline Challenge
National Skills Coalition and Business Leaders United staff and members joined President Biden in the East Room of the White House on November 2, 2022, to recognize and celebrate the commitments made by more than 350 organizations since the Infrastructure Talent Pipeline Challenge launched in June. The nationwide call to action inspired employers, unions, education and training providers, states, local governments, Tribes, territories, philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders to make tangible commitments that support equitable workforce development focused on three critical sectors: broadband, construction, and electrification, including the supply chains that support these sectors.
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President Biden highlighted the importance of the partnerships between community colleges, training providers, businesses, labor, workforce boards, and other stakeholders during an address that marked the culmination of his administration’s Infrastructure Talent Pipeline Challenge – the White House’s call for critical partnerships to build a more inclusive infrastructure workforce.
Commitments made through the Challenge will expand equitable pathways into good jobs, boost opportunities for union jobs, and meet critical employer skill needs. Nearly 150 employers, unions, and community-based organizations have committed to create or expand preapprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, and other high-quality training programs. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/TalentPipelineChallenge.
On October 27, 2022, three Distinguished Constructors were inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame, housed in the Granger Center for Construction and HVACR on the Ferris State University campus in Big Rapids. The inductees include CAM Board Member Frank Jonna, CEO of Jonna Companies; Thomas DiPonio, President of Jay Dee Contractors, Inc.; and L.R. Swadley, Owner of Swadley Development. The Michigan Construction Hall of Fame serves as a permanent place for students, staff, and visitors to appreciate the achievements of leaders of the construction industry in Michigan. Read the full story at buildwithcam.com/ news/2022michiganhalloffame.
CAM's Latest Podcast Discusses the Challenges of Recruiting & Retaining Employees
The 11th episode of CAM's Building Michigan podcast welcomes Kristopher Powell, CEO of HRPro/BenePro, and Mary Ann Fisher, Vice President of Human Capital Services at HRPro. Hosted by Kevin Koehler, the President of CAM, this episode discusses the topic of Overcoming Challenges for Recruiting & Retaining Employees. Listen to the podcast at www.buildwithcam.com/ podcast.
Prime Exhibit Space Is Still Available
CAM's 2023 EXPO takes place at the Suburban Collection Showplace on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. This oneday event combines the Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO, CAM Magazine Special Issue Awards, and CAM’s Annual Meeting. The event is being planned in conjunction with the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan and will include exhibits, safety events, celebrations for the CAM Magazine Project of the Year, and much more. Interested exhibitors can reserve space by contacting Ron Riegel at (248) 972-1110 or by completing the interest form on miconstructionexpo.com.
CAM and DeMaria Sign Alliance Agreement
The Construction Association of Michigan has announced the execution of an alliance agreement with DeMaria Building Company. The purpose of the alliance is to provide enhanced awareness of worker safety and health on the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital parking deck project through the display of banners, promotion of training opportunities, and allowing access to the project by a CAMSafety representative and MIOSHA CET staff to conduct site safety audits to assist with hazard identification and control recommendations.
On November 10th, CAM Vice President of Operations Tracey McLenon was joined by Bryan Renaud, MIOSHA CET Senior Safety Officer, Marty Huizar, Safety Director for DeMaria, Ken Kersanty, Senior Project Superintendent for DeMaria, Chris Davis, Project Manager for DeMaria, and other project representatives for a no-penalty hazard survey. McLenon and Renaud provided information and insight regarding project safety and best practices. The alliance agreement is valid until completion of the project and will include additional site visits and training.
If your company is interested in the benefits of an alliance agreement, send an email to safety@buildwithcam.com.
CAM Magazine’s Project of the Year to Be Determined in December
CAM Magazine's Special Issue 2022 features 12 outstanding construction projects in the state of Michigan as submitted by CAM member companies. This year’s featured projects include (in no particular order):
• Auto-Owners Insurance Group’s
South Campus Expansion • Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and
Education • Clinton-Macomb Library North
Branch • McLaren Greater Lansing
Replacement Hospital • Ford House Visitor Center and
Administration Building • The Hawk: Farmington Hills
Community Center
• Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
USA HQ • Karmanos Cancer Institute at
McLaren Greater Lansing • General Motors Factory ZERO • KLA Corp.’s Second U.S.
Headquarters and Research & Development Center • DTE Blue Water Energy Center • Livonia Medical Center
One of the 12 projects will be chosen to receive the accolade of CAM "Project of the Year" and announced at CAM’s Annual Meeting in February 2023. The CAM Magazine Editorial Advisory Committee and your input will determine the winner. Visit www.buildwithcam.com/ magazine to read more and to cast your vote!
Three Michigan Tribal Economic Development Entities Form Joint Venture
On November 15th, Odawa Economic Affairs Holding Corporation, MnoBmadsen, and Gun Lake Investments announced a new joint venture to create a real estate development, construction, and property management company. The new entity, Aki Construction LLC, is culturally and economically significant and the first Tribal joint venture of its kind in the Midwest. Aki (pronounced “uh-ki”)— meaning “earth, land, ground”—is rooted in Odawa Holdings, Mno-Bmadsen, and GLI’s similar visions, missions, and cultures. Each entity believes in their duties to uplift and support their communities and people while bringing value to their Tribes. Odawa Holdings, headquartered in Petoskey, and located in Harbor Springs, comprises the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. “At Odawa Holdings, we are ecstatic to be taking the first steps in this venture alongside GLI and Mno-Bmadsen. Together, our goal is to be a leader with Tribal-driven construction projects within the Midwest and across the country,” said Shanna Shananaquet, Executive Director of Odawa Holdings.
Mno-Bmadsen is the non-gaming investment arm of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians based in Dowagiac. “It is an honor for us to be able to work alongside leaders at GLI and Odawa Holdings on this venture and set the tone and process for additional co-investment opportunities,” said Julio Martinez, CEO of Mno-Bmadsen. “Our vision is to continue to uplift one another’s Tribes by capturing the synergistic results of this collaboration. We expect this joint venture to expand on the very important work we do to grow our Tribe’s economic development investments for the benefit of future generations.”
Headquartered in Grand Rapids, GLI is the economic development corporation for the Gun Lake Tribe. “This partnership is the first of its kind in the Midwest, which not only makes this an important move for each of our Tribes, but also a historic milestone for Tribal Country,” said Monica King, CEO of GLI. “Three Tribes are coming together to further develop and give back to their communities, which will create economic value and provide meaningful opportunities for our Tribes and beyond.” Read more at https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/news.
DTE Boosts Investment in Clean Energy
On November 3, 2002, DTE Energy released a 20-year proposal to dramatically transform how the company generates electricity as part of its clean energy journey, all while investing in a modern grid that is reliable and affordable. The proposed plan, called CleanVision, increases investment in solar and wind energy, accelerates the retirement of coal plants, and includes the development of new energy storage.
“Across the country, and here in Michigan, the energy landscape is changing rapidly and fundamentally,” said Jerry Norcia, chairman and chief executive officer, DTE Energy. “We are excited to drive
this transformation by powering the grid with Michigan-made renewable energy, existing nuclear and natural gas. These new solar and wind assets, enough to power approximately 4 million households, will replace our retiring coal power plants, resulting in a cleaner environment for Michigan families, communities, and businesses.”
By investing in cleaner sources of energy and accelerating the retirement of coal, DTE Electric plans to surpass its previously announced carbon emission reduction goals, ahead of the timelines in the MI Healthy Climate Plan. Learn more at www.dtecleanenergy.com.
MI STEM Forward Places Its 500th Intern
Reaching a significant milestone for the statewide service, the Michigan STEM Forward internship program recently placed its 500th intern. Since its launch in March 2021, the program has paired Michigan students and companies, providing a much-valued resource designed to retain top talent in the state.
“Recruiting and retaining talent is one of the biggest challenges businesses face today, and it is a bipartisan issue that we are all focused on,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “The MI STEM Forward internship program connects Michigan’s top up-and-coming talent with innovative companies throughout Michigan, helping them grow and continue to invest in our state.”
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) tapped Ann Arbor SPARK to administer the program. Of the students that participated in SPARK’s overall internship program over the past five years, 84 percent of them accepted jobs in Michigan upon graduation. Learn more at https://annarborusa.org/jobs/ stem-forward.
Michigan Safety Conference 2023 Scholarship Application Now Available
Each year, the Michigan Safety Conference’s scholarship program provides financial assistance to students enrolled in occupational safety and health curriculums at colleges and universities in the state of Michigan. Applicants are selected based on academic achievement, leadership, letters of recommendation, and additional criteria. Scholarship recipients often become leaders in the fields of safety and health, and give back by serving as a volunteer of the Michigan Safety Conference. Learn more at https://michsafetyconference.org/ scholarship-opportunities.
Safety+Health’s 2022 Salary Survey Results Are In
Hundreds of workplace safety and health professionals have responded to Safety+Health’s annual salary survey. The results for 2022 are now available. Average salaries are broken down by respondents’ job title, age, experience, education level and more. The respondents also answered questions about raises, bonuses, and benefits. For the full report, which appears in the National Safety Council’s Safety+Health magazine, visit www.safetyandhealth magazine.com.
Every job site is required to have someone certified in first aid. Are you in compliance? This course teaches the principles of basic life support for adults. The course details hands-only CPR, first aid, choking in adults, signs, and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and treatment for shock. It explains how AEDs work, and why they are a critical part of emergency cardiac care. Certification is valid for a period of two years. (1 session)
January 17, 2023 8:00am – 12:00pm
$100/Member $125/Guest
MTI – Recordkeeping and Cost of Injuries
This program is designed to help employers ensure that their organization complies with MIOSHA recordkeeping requirements as contained in MIOSHA Administrative Rules Part 11, Recording and Reporting of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. In addition to learning and understanding the “recordability” of work related injuries and illnesses, attendees will actively participate in a group exercise to complete the MIOSHA 300 log. Using this data, participants calculate injury and illness rates and learn how to compare these rates to other companies with North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). (1 session)
