William Charles Construction Helps Diverse Individuals Kickstart Their Construction Careers
At IEA, our people come first. The value that each individual brings to our team is undeniable and contributes to our strength as a company. In 2020, we recognized a need for growth that resulted in the hiring of our vice president of diversity and inclusion, Morayma Da Silva. As an organization, we embrace the people we hire and understand the importance of continuing to cultivate an environment that is both diverse and inclusive.
Building upon our diversity and inclusion initiatives, William Charles Construction, an IEA subsidiary, has partnered with the IDOT Highway Construction Career Training Program (HCCTP). Through this partnership, we are bridging gaps and providing opportunities to minority groups, disadvantaged individuals and women in all phases of the construction industry.
For individuals that never received an opportunity to go to college or realized that college was not a good fit, the HCCTP offers 450 hours of a skilled trade curriculum for anyone wanting to break into the construction industry. The individuals that participate in the program not only learn new skills, but truly better their lives.
“The reason I decided to partner with the IDOT Highway Construction Career Training Program is because there are not enough women and minorities in the unions,” said Da Silva. “As the union workforce is aging, there is a specific need for young labor to join the labor and operators’ unions.”
The opportunity to increase the talent pool of females and minorities is crucial for the growth of William Charles. And through this partnership, the company has hired five graduates: two as field engineers for power delivery and three as scale house operators.
The American dream, defined by many, is to grasp new opportunities and establish a path for their family. At IEA, we desire to fill our workforce with individuals from diverse backgrounds and provide ways to fulfill their dreams. To support these efforts, our Diversity & Inclusion team will continue to identify similar programs in each state where IEA has an office, with a goal to establish four new programs by the end of 2021. By building upon our inclusive workforce and extending opportunities, we hope others can fulfill their American Dream with the IEA family of companies.
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