Typically, when we talk about supplier diversity, we mean trade partners that are at least 51-percent owned and operated by individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved groups. These businesses often include Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Woman-Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and disability-owned businesses.
Given the well-documented labor shortage in the construction trades, it's fair to ask where the next generation of these businesses will come from.
One answer is clear: inspire young people to pursue careers in construction and help them see the industry as a pathway to rewarding, well-paying, meaningful work.
Introducing Youth to Construction
To support that goal, Webcor has participated in several initiatives designed to introduce students to construction careers. For several years, Finance Vice President Mark Lambert has been involved with the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF), which hosts an annual Design Build Competition where teams of high school students design and construct a small structure, typically a shed.
More recently, Project Outreach Manager Rosa Arevalo and Project Outreach Coordinator Gianna Beasley helped bring Webcor's support to a Construction Inclusion Week Social Contractor Networking Mixer in Los Angeles on October 12. While contractor networking mixers traditionally focus on helping small and diverse businesses connect with general contractors, this year's event expanded that mission by emphasizing youth engagement and workforce development.
"These mixers have always been focused on SBEs," Rosa said. "This is the first time we've dedicated the event to youth engagement and creating stronger connections between the construction industry and the educators who are preparing the next generation of workers."
Representatives from schools in Inglewood and surrounding communities joined sponsors including Webcor, Austin, Clark, McCarthy, Turner, PCL, and others. Teachers, administrators, and industry leaders gathered to discuss how construction companies and educational institutions can work together to make construction careers more visible and appealing to students.
Companies Commit to Expanding Youth Programs
The response was overwhelming. The event attracted 227 registrants and drew strong participation from contractors, trade partners, educators, and community organizations. Attendees praised a panel discussion focused on how the industry can work collectively to create meaningful opportunities and career pathways for local youth.
One of the evening's most significant outcomes was a shared commitment among participating general contractors to expand existing youth workforce development programs and increase collaboration across the industry.
"There was broad agreement that we can accomplish far more together than we can working independently," Rosa says. "Our industry partners recognized the importance of combining resources, sharing ideas, and creating sustainable opportunities that can make a lasting difference in the lives of young people."
For many parents, college has long been viewed as the preferred path to career success. At the same time, rising student debt and an increasingly competitive job market have prompted families to consider alternatives. Construction offers a compelling option, but misconceptions remain.
Construction as a Career Choice
"Many parents and students aren't aware that careers in the trades can be both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling," Rosa says. "Union apprenticeships offer structured career development, regular wage increases, excellent benefits, and opportunities for long-term advancement."
Opportunities for companies like Webcor include creating partnerships with schools, expanding internship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and connecting students with industry professionals who can help them better understand the wide variety of careers available in construction. These efforts not only strengthen the future workforce but also help create the conditions for new local and diverse businesses to thrive.
NorCal Construction Inclusion Week Supplier Diversity Event
At the same time, Webcor continues its longstanding commitment to supplier diversity through more traditional business networking efforts. On October 14, the company attended a Bay Area contractor networking mixer for Construction Inclusion Week in Oakland, where diverse and small business owners could connect with general contractors, build relationships, and discuss future partnership opportunities. Webcor sponsored the event alongside Clark, Boldt, Gilbane, Swinerton, XL, Skanska, and others. Project Outreach Manager Chris Bardales and Project Outreach Coordinator Melissa King answered questions at Webcor's booth; Assistant Project Manager James Bicamumpaka and Prequalification Analyst Chanelle Jones also attended.
For Rosa, the Los Angeles mixer demonstrated what is possible when the industry aligns around a common goal.
"It was inspiring to see that level of engagement, collaboration, and commitment from our partners," she says. "The conversations were important, but even more important was the momentum we created. This was a great example of what our industry can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose and invest in the next generation."
