Large, prime contractors in Virginia are having difficulty finding enough certified small and minority- and women-owned subcontractors to meet the state’s diversity policy goals, according to a survey of businesses and public entities in the state.
The survey also revealed that some subs that would qualify under diversity goals thought the certification process was challenging, or were unaware of opportunities presented to them if they went through that process. The difficulty in meeting diversity goals has also been reported in other areas of the country.
Less than a third of the Boston’s top 150 projects met racial equity goals, and none met targets for women contractors. In Florida, a contractor recently asked for more time to complete a luxury condo project, in part because of a struggle to find enough diverse workers to meet goals.
The Virginia survey and other reporting on the diversity challenge could indicate that prime contractors aiming for federal infrastructure projects will have a tough time finding qualified subcontractors to meet diversity goals.
Related Stories
| Sep 7, 2012
Related Companies and unions agree to wage-cutting deal on Hudson Yards
The Related Companies has won wage-cutting agreements with four dozen construction unions in its efforts to save money on the $15 billion development of Hudson Yards.
| Sep 7, 2012
Lorain, Ohio considers halting downtown construction while it works out development plan
Construction would stop downtown for six months while Lorain, Ohio officials consider a development plan for the city, according to new legislation.
| Sep 7, 2012
Business, labor groups push for easing of California’s Environmental Quality Act
Business and labor groups have combined forces to push for a change to California's Environmental Quality Act, specifically its complex review process for building and construction projects.
| Sep 7, 2012
Twenty years later, Florida contractors cite Hurricane Andrew as construction game-changer
Remarking on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated south Florida; contractors are noting the storm’s impact on their industry—including the state’s adoption of tougher building codes.
| Sep 7, 2012
At risk for nine types of natural disasters, Texas trails most coastal states on building codes
Texas has the most diverse weather risk in the country, with exposure to nine different types of natural disasters.
| Aug 30, 2012
OSHA plans new crane-safety standards for demolition and underground work
The new rule will streamline OSHA’s standards by eliminating the separate cranes and derricks standard currently used for underground and demolition work.
| Aug 30, 2012
Federal government cancels defense contracts worth $2.15 billion
This action may foreshadow federal spending cuts scheduled for year's end if Congress takes no action on the federal budget.
| Aug 30, 2012
Public comment period is open for CRRC-1 standard
The CRRC-1 standard covers specimen preparation and test methods for measuring the initial and aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing products.
| Aug 30, 2012
LEED system's footprint reaches 2 billion sf, with 7 billion sf in the pipeline
About 7 billion more sf of commercial space is expected in the pipeline.
| Aug 30, 2012
Georgia drops LEED wood source standard on state projects
Currently, LEED green building standards only accept timber products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
