Diversity programs, an equity index and increased recruitment efforts are among the tools that transportation agencies and other groups are using to improve diversity in the infrastructure workforce, according to comments from participants on a webinar panel in July hosted by United For Infrastructure, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan organization that advocates for the renewal of the country’s roads, bridges and more.
These agencies and groups say it’s imperative to attract employees from all backgrounds in order to help alleviate the current labor crunch. June construction employment in 39 states remained below the pre-pandemic peak of February 2020, according to an analysis of federal government data by the Associated General Contractors of America.