GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSTRUCTION LEADERS: GBCA’S CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

BY MEG GINSBERG | GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

GBCA’s Construction Leadership Council (CLC) is committed to improving and promoting the construction industry and GBCA through education, networking and service.

Comprised of a group of young construction professionals, ages 40 and younger, the CLC acts as a conduit for participants to network, exchange professional ideas about the industry and serve local communities. It encourages members to become more engaged in GBCA, its leadership and other committees and events. Simultaneously, the group of leaders work on professional development and leadership skills within the construction industry.

Since GBCA restructured the CLC in 2022, the group has seen a 67% increase in enrollment. This surge reflects the growing recognition of the CLC as a premier platform for emerging leaders in the construction industry. The CLC’s significant enrollment growth is driven by a combination of strategic initiatives, enhanced member benefits, and a strong focus on professional development.

The CLC is more than just a professional group; it’s a community dedicated to nurturing the next generation of construction industry leaders. By joining the CLC, members are investing in their own future and contributing to the advancement of the construction industry.

CLC MEMBER EVENTS

For professionals in the construction industry, the CLC offers a wealth of benefits and opportunities, catering to the diverse interests and needs of its members and fostering members’ career advancement.

The CLC hosts many unique networking opportunities, including events with other young professional groups, coffee chats with industry professionals and Philadelphia sports outings. During these events, members can meet other professionals to build their social network while honing their professional skills.

For example, at CLC coffee chats, informal meetings provide GBCA’s young construction professionals with an opportunity to learn from an experienced construction executive and hear their advice for succeeding in Philadelphia’s commercial construction industry.

During hard hat tours, CLC members learn about different projects directly from the industry professionals in charge. Last year, GBCA toured Amy Gutmann Hall, the first mass timber building in Philadelphia, and was able to learn about the hall’s construction. On tours like these, members can ask questions to leading contractors about what materials and technology were used to make the project complete and successful.

Members who attend Leadership Development Workshops build skills needed to succeed in the construction industry. Through various Leadership Series Workshops, members learn the best techniques for communicating while working on a project, how to resolve conflict and how to build trust and maintain credibility, all important skills that are crucial to a person’s ability to lead. These interactive workshops coach CLC members through the nuances of being successful in the construction industry.

CLC members also have opportunities to mentor the younger generation through local educational institutions, fostering new connections and contributing to the future of Philadelphia’s construction industry. Students enrolled in post-secondary programs in the Philadelphia region have the chance to gain a mentor and learn how to advance their careers after graduation.

Through community service activities in support of Project HOME, Philabundance, Northern Children’s Services, and Toys for Tots, the CLC supports and gives back to Philadelphia’s local communities. This past year, the CLC worked together to assemble hygiene kits that include essential items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal care items for Project HOME. These kits are collected and then distributed to those in need throughout Philadelphia. In 2023, the CLC supported Preston & Steve’s 2023 Camp Out for

Hunger campaign for Philabundance, an organization dedicated to stopping hunger and food insecurity in the Philadelphia region. During the holidays, the CLC organizes an annual toy drive at GBCA’s holiday party for Northern Children’s Services and Toys for Tots.

HOW TO JOIN THE CLC

The CLC is open to all GBCA members, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and professional associates. Individuals aged 40 or younger or those employed by an Active or Associate GBCA member company and in the construction industry for less than three years at the time of application are encouraged to join.

CLC members meet throughout the year and receive a newsletter about CLC resources and communications. CLC events are open to anyone interested in the event or activity, regardless of age or position, within the construction industry.

To join the CLC, an applicant must submit an application form and a signed commitment form from their employer. The application is then subject to approval by GBCA and is considered on a rolling basis and renewed annually each calendar year.

CLC members can get more involved with GBCA by serving as CLC Officers. Officers are selected each calendar year and serve a five-year term, commit to attend additional meetings, serve on other GBCA committees and advance GBCA’s reach within Philadelphia’s construction industry.

For more information, visit https://gbca.com/membership/ construction-leadership-council/ or scan the QR code below.

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