Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce’s Post

From 2006 to 2009, I was the only woman on site in the construction industry. It was a challenging experience, working in an environment that wasn’t just male-dominated—it was male-exclusive in so many ways. No female toilets. No sanitary bins. No other women to share the journey with. But even in those isolating moments, I knew I wasn’t just working for myself—I was paving the way for others. Fast forward to 2024, and I am proud to now hold the role of Commercial Director in this incredible industry. The landscape has changed dramatically over the years. Today, there are more women on sites, in offices, and in leadership roles, driving real progress. Companies are addressing the needs of diverse teams, and conversations around inclusion and equality and delivering tangible change. I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who supported me along the way. Steven Laird and David Anderson, thank you for believing in me, mentoring me, and championing my journey. Your support has been invaluable, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without people like you in my corner. To every woman in construction: your presence matters, your voice is needed, and your contributions are shaping the future of this industry. To those considering joining: there is a place for you here, and the opportunities are limitless. From being the only woman to becoming a Commercial Director, this journey has been one of resilience, growth, and pride. Together, we’re building a better and more inclusive future—brick by brick.

Last Month, The Turner Construction Company's Philadelphia Business Unit marked Construction Inclusion Week with a series of impactful events and dialogues at project sites, emphasizing collaboration and investment in staff, trade partners, and more. Sending gratitude and shout outs to partners like Tim Roseboro from JPMorganChase, Brian K. Oglesby from Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council, Layla Bibi from Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, and many more helped make those celebrations possible. Construction Inclusion Week serves as a platform to promote awareness and celebrate diversity in the construction sector. It offers valuable resources for office teams, craft workers, jobsite crews, and industry partners, fostering a more inclusive environment. This year's event was particularly meaningful as it coincided with a personal milestone, my Turnaversary on 10/18. Alongside Shermeka K. Hudson I had the privilege of supporting Stephanie Burns in representing Turner Construction Company as part of the National Construction Inclusion Week team for Day 5. Together with other industry peers who represented CIW's founding organizations, we highlighted the crucial link between construction workforce development and community engagement. As someone who has directly benefited from workforce development initiatives, this cause holds a special significance for me. For more information about Construction Inclusion Week, visit https://lnkd.in/eFSRZfKC #turnerconstruction #constructioninclusionweek2024 #diversityandinclusion

How do we get more women in this industry? By letting them hear directly from trailblazers who are making it happen. So proud of this panel and can’t wait to hear the discussion. #WomenInConstruction

As a woman in the roofing industry, I found this article very interesting.

Are you in children's services and feeling the pressure of recruitment? You're not alone! In this field, attracting top-notch talent isn't just crucial; it's a cornerstone for success, especially with Ofsted's watchful eyes on quality standards. Let's tackle the elephant in the room — how do we win this recruitment battle? Firstly, it's about showcasing the rewarding impact of the role. Transparently share success stories and growth opportunities to paint a real picture of the meaningful work done. It's not just a job; it's a chance to shape futures. Secondly, collaboration increases your reach, by partnering with Hamptons who take pride in not just filling a position, but taking the time to get to know our candidates and ensuring they fit the role and team. Lastly, let's not forget the power of a positive team culture. When staff are supported and valued, they become your best ambassadors, attracting more like-minded professionals. #ChildrensServices #Ofsted #RecruitmentRevolution #Hamptons

𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑 We were honoured to host a group of students from the Women Building Futures Journey to Trades 112 class at our Nisku shop. 🔍 Behind-the-Scenes Look - The day kicked off with a tour of our shop, where they learned about the work that we do, exploring the tools and technologies that are key to our industry. 🎤 Expert Insights - The tour was followed by engaging discussions led by our passionate professionals, who shared their journey and expertise in various trades. These sessions opened a dialogue about career pathways in trades and the future of the industry, providing inspiration and insight. We're excited to be able to host the class and hopefully ignite further curiosity and fuel a passion for the important work done in various trades. Women Building Futures is doing incredible work by providing free skills training and support services to women and gender-diverse individuals looking to pursue careers in the skilled trades and related fields. Organizations like these truly make a difference by offering the support needed for success. Their mission deeply resonates with our values, and we take pride in being part of their cause. Empowering women in the trades is not just a priority for us - it's a passion. We firmly believe in creating inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together with Women Building Futures, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the industry. Peter Atzesberger, Stephanie Walsh, Alexa Anderson, Brooke Giesbrecht, Michael Trowsse, Alannah Campbell, Mike Ganderton, Mike Hennessey, Mackenzie King #TradesCareers #FutureOfWork #CommunityImpact #SurepointGroup #CommunityEngagement

There's nothing like breaking barriers and building leaders. Out of our 56 active projects, 24 feature women in the jobsite's direct operations team. These female Project Managers, Engineers, and Executives are redefining a construction site's field team. As of 2023, women make up 10.8% of the construction industry. And out of all our operations personnel, Bernards exceeds this at 11.3%! And this doesn't even include our female Directors of Business Development, marketing professionals, accountants, estimators, and safety officers who back these ladies every step of the way. Because together, we’re building a future where everyone thrives. Check out the breakdown of our projects and join us in celebrating women in construction operations for their grit, tenacity, and courage to stand up and step out!

FUN FACT: Primary Talent Partners' commitment to driving change and fostering inclusivity is rooted in the experiences of our Founding Partner, Tinisha Bookhart, PMP, CSM. We also recognize that many professionals have similar experiences and stories to share.   Watch Tinisha's quick video to see how we transform our passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion into meaningful action. 🌟 Let's keep the conversation going—how is your organization empowering underrepresented talent?

At Primary Talent Partners, we believe that addressing social challenges isn’t just about talking—it’s about acting. The issue of underrepresentation in the workforce is one we take seriously, and we are committed to making a real difference. Our founder, Tinisha Bookhart, PMP, CSM, explains in this new video how we are confronting the underrepresentation of certain demographic groups by providing scholarships aimed at increasing graduation rates among underrepresented students. By directly supporting education and career pathways, we are helping to build a pipeline of talent that will ultimately expand the diversity of those entering the workforce. This is not just about advocacy—it’s about action. We are committed to creating tangible impact, because real change is built on the resources and dedication we invest today. Watch the video to hear more about how we’re doing our part in solving this critical challenge. 📹 #DiversityAndInclusion #ActionForChange #SocialImpact #WorkforceEquity #EducationMatters #RealChange

#TBT: Nearly one month ago, the Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board’s REWI Initiative won a $125K grant to address reentry workforce challenges. The grant supports career navigation services for justice-involved individuals and promotes inclusive hiring practices. #NCWorks     More: https://lnkd.in/e2v4JxNK