LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The talent and grit of the construction industry workforce has long enabled contractors to be trusted partners in Philadelphia’s ongoing development. These men and women take projects that were once only dreams and masterfully turn them into reality, equipping the region with the infrastructure to be the destination for work and play that it is today. They are essential not only to the future of our industry and our organizations, but also to the future of Philadelphia.

Developing the next generation of our workforce is one of the most important things GBCA can do. It is a key pillar of our three-year strategic plan, and we have set big goals that we are determined to deliver on. After laying a strong foundation for these efforts in year one, our work in year two is taking off.

Working toward our goal of reaching 25,000 students, we are extremely excited about GBCA’s first-ever Construction Career Day on May 21. This event will educate middle and high schoolers about the various rewarding careers available to them across the industry.

We are also gearing up for the May launch of GBCA’s Master Builders Institute, a new online resource aggregating educational content for young people K-12 who are curious about careers in architecture, engineering, or construction.

Additionally, our Carpenters’ Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) is in high demand. The cohort that started this past January is shaping up to be our strongest graduating class to date. With 28 future carpenters, this group is jobsite ready.

What unifies all of our efforts is the overarching idea that careers in construction are for everybody. Along these lines, I have to mention what a wonderful job the GBCA staff did highlighting women in safety during Women in Construction Week. We will continue to make it abundantly clear that construction offers opportunity for everyone, and we have even more good things coming down the pike.

Craig Melograno

Chairman of the Board, GBCA

President, PDM Constructors, Inc.