{"id":7785,"date":"2015-09-01T16:30:05","date_gmt":"2015-09-01T21:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/72.167.124.155\/tilt-uptoday\/?p=7785"},"modified":"2025-10-27T21:19:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T02:19:51","slug":"clayco-builds-new-training-facility-and-service-center-in-ferguson-mo-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/2015\/09\/01\/clayco-builds-new-training-facility-and-service-center-in-ferguson-mo-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Clayco Builds New Training Facility and Service Center in Ferguson, Mo Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Clayco\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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WORDS AND IMAGES:<\/b> Mitch Bloomquist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centene, a Fortune 500 company and a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise, recently contracted Clayco to build their new service center and training facility in Ferguson, Missouri. This project aims to support the Ferguson community and provide new opportunities for residents in both construction and future career training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies throughout the country have shown minorities and women are underrepresented in the skilled workforce of the construction industry. With this new construction, Centene and Clayco are creating training opportunities in the industry for local residents and building a service center with a dedication to diversity and inclusiveness for everyone who calls north Saint Louis Country home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clayco\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY TO INDUSTRY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As part of the new construction, Centene and Clayco are building a training facility, service center and daycare to help promote technical career opportunities to support and encourage a modern, diverse workforce for the future of the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA lot of the technical trades education has been taken out of our schools in the past,\u201d said Sandra Marks, senior vice president, government and community affairs, Clayco. \u201cNow the need for investment in technical education is clear. Junior colleges, technical degrees and certificate programs can get people trained and working in two years.\u201d The old mentality that focused on a 4-year college education is being challenged and many are considering alternative paths. \u201cPeople have started to better understand connecting the needs of the employer with available skill sets,\u201d said Marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To support more individuals interested in technical trades education, Clayco formed the Clayco Career Development Initiative (CCDI), which is a scholarship\/mentorship program focused on introducing 8th-10th grade students for career opportunities in the construction industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWere looking for those students that want to learn an alternative skill,\u201d said Dan Lester, director of community affairs and recruiting for Concrete Strategies. Each student participating in the program will get an in-house mentor to guide them through the opportunities, in the trades as well as other professional careers that potentially feed into the construction industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One component of the program that will serve to introduce students to the vast array of opportunity is a series of jobsite visits. \u201cWe\u2019re focusing our efforts in North County [Saint Louis],\u201d said Lester. \u201cSo they will be able to go to Centene and see, this is in their community, this is what we\u2019ve done here and this is what a larger construction site looks like.\u201d Students will gain an understanding of the various roles and responsibilities on a jobsite and perhaps be inspired to make their first career decision. \u201cIf you at least can start somewhere,\u201d said Lester, \u201conce you get in there you can see where you would like to maneuver and explore all of the different options and opportunities available within that structure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clayco has also created a scholarship fund to reduce financial barriers. Once students graduate from high school, the CCDI will provide financial assistance for technical school tuition, tools, boots, books, and even a bus pass. Financial efforts will be tied to students selected for the program and will be needs based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this program, Clayco hopes to give students the support they need to succeed and the awareness they need to find their path in life. \u201cThere is a lack of exposure to the construction industry,\u201d said Lester. \u201cWe want to change that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProperly and effectively training individuals is difficult because there is cost associated with it and it is hard to see past today,\u201d said Lester. It\u2019s worth it though, he said, \u201cbecause new workers are coming on and you\u2019re passing along valuable trade knowledge that you will not lose when a more experienced worker retires. We want to pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation of workers. That\u2019s what\u2019s at risk with 70 percent of the workforce being older, we\u2019re going to lose our trades, trainers and teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being that on-the-job training is best, many construction apprenticeship programs are set up so that participants begin working right away. \u201cWith this model, you get a chance to apply the knowledge that you are learning immediately,\u201d said Lester. While there are many programs out there offering some initial training and various pre-apprentice programs that expose candidates to a limited variety of tasks, ultimately it\u2019s going to be the company\u2019s responsibility to take time and invest in people\u2019s training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concrete Strategies has put in place a strategy for investing in the training of their future workforce. \u201cThat\u2019s where the real opportunity comes in,\u201d said Lester. \u201cNow it changes a life and changes one\u2019s ability to provide for their family. It\u2019s successful if there\u2019s a plan behind it and the Centene Service Center project is providing an opportunity to execute the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUILDING A TEAM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the main goals of these programs is to take on a manageable number of apprentices so that they can continue to work and build their skills from job to job. At Concrete Strategies, they aim to create a team that builds relationships and refines roles together as a unit, rather than bringing on one set of workers for one project and another set for another project. This not only allows for more efficient work as the team familiarizes themselves with the specific manner in which work is done at any given company, it also allows for individuals to fine tune their skills and knowledge of the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because tilt-up is a unique type of skill set and as it becomes more popular because of its speed, economy and versatility, this approach becomes a value to the industry as more workers become experienced with this construction method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clayco\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY GOALS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In addition to new and diverse apprenticeship programs like CCDI many municipalities, states and the federal government have put goals in place to eradicate discriminatory employment barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city of Saint Louis, for example, has a series of goals, informed by multiple disparity studies, setting the percentages of each project contract value that should be awarded to minority- and woman-owned businesses, as well as the percentages of work hours for each project that should be performed by minority and women workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the city of Ferguson does not have set diversity requirements, Clayco made this a priority to ensure the building construction was reflective and inclusive of north Saint Louis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBefore beginning construction, we wanted to make sure we had a diverse team, representative of the surrounding community,\u201d said Marks. As Clayco was named the contractor for the job, they brought on design and management contacts Grice Group Architects (Architect), David Mason & Associates (Structural Engineers), TSI Engineering (Geotechnical Investigation) and Simms Building Group (Construction Management), along with a number of other local minority firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centene also retained Marks and Associates, who often provides Clayco with project-specific support in the implementation of various aspects of their MBE\/WBE and Workforce Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clayco addresses the workforce as well, breaking down the project by division, looking at the number of man-hours, projecting the number of people and then asking questions. What would be the potential of minorities and women who are already in the industry? Who actually works for these subcontractors and who needs to be brought in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Clayco evaluates bids, they ensure that the subcontractor understands they expect to see a diverse workforce and asks how they can assist in this process. \u201cAfter reviewing our first report, we are well inline with those projections,\u201d said Marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clayco\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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THE REAL COSTS AND VALUE OF INCLUSION<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some may suggest that these efforts could increase project cost or contractor time. Marks suggested that is not true. \u201cIt may cost more money to do business with a firm that is not lowest at bid day,\u201d said Marks. \u201cBut depending on the project, you are often paying more for a quality firm that is meeting your expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a company places a bid and they do not make any effort to meet Clayco\u2019s expectations for inclusion, being low will not result in an automatic contract. \u201cOur effort, year-round, is to work with businesses that know us and understand our work,\u201d said Marks. \u201cWe consider many issues when contracting a bid.\u201d She explains that they do not select a company because they are minority- or woman-owned; they take a company because Clayco will receive their full value, which includes, among other things, safety, experience, cost and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clayco\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Dorrie Harris, owner and project manager for Bumpy\u2019s Steel Erection in East Saint Louis got her start in the steel installation and steel erection industry working as an ironworker over 30 years ago. Harris pointed out that diversity programs highlight qualified minority- and woman-owned businesses to contractors, agencies and owners that would otherwise be overlooked. \u201cThese programs have provided an economic opportunity that has begun to level the construction playing field for many small minority and female business owners and their workers,\u201d said Harris. \u201cSuch programs give the local community\u2019s businesses and workers an opportunity to achieve the American dream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think diversity is very important and needed in all areas of business,\u201d said Lionel Phillips, owner of Phillips Concrete Services, a minority-owned and operated ready-mix concrete supplier serving the St. Louis metropolitan area. \u201cIt is especially important in the construction industry on jobs supported by public funding or sponsored by major corporations who are civic and employment leaders in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Phillips, of the 20 plus projects they are currently working on, a large majority required diversity inclusion. \u201cWe are utilizing these opportunities to develop a growth pattern that we hope will be controlled and sustainable,\u201d said Phillips. \u201cThe projects that we have been awarded that require diversity inclusion are offering us a stream of day-to-day work that is helping to enhance our reputation, is keeping our drivers employed and is proving to the market that we are a viable option for all types of ready mix concrete projects, big or small, public or private.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phillips is currently planning an expansion of their ready mix truck fleet, with a goal of having twenty, or more, trucks by the end of 2016. With that growth, they plan to hire 25 to 30 individuals to support the expansion. \u201cLong term, we hope that Phillips Concrete Services can survive to be handed down to the next generation of family members through that controlled and sustainable growth plan,\u201d said Phillips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This long term planning and influx of new involvement in the industry could be one answer to the shrinking pool of skilled labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe recognize in the state of Missouri, which is in a trend across the country, we are in a situation where 70 percent of our construction workforce is 45 and older,\u201d said Lester. \u201cIf we are not continuing to train younger talent to come in, and if we don\u2019t make that effort now then we\u2019re going to have a hefty price to pay later.\u201d Later is coming quicker than most people think, he added. \u201cTwenty percent of that 70 percent is 55 and older.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth the investment now to train these new workers, according to Lester, and the cost is the same to train workers of all gender, race and ethnicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clayco\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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THE GREATER EFFECT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cClayco\u2019s overall philosophy of \u2018Beyond the Walls\u2019 recognizing that yes, we\u2019re building a building, and using very innovative technology, but beyond the walls,\u201d said Marks, \u201cis the fact that there is going to be a structure standing in that community that will be there for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur communities won\u2019t completely change overnight,\u201d said Marks. \u201cBut overnight I have seen amazing people change lives, one company at a time, one person at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clayco\u2019s design-build project has infused the area with energy and sparked new development and construction. As the project moves towards completion, it will continue to impact and bring opportunity to the community as a whole.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WORDS AND IMAGES: Mitch Bloomquist Centene, a Fortune 500 company and a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise, recently contracted Clayco to build their new service center and training facility in Ferguson, Missouri. This project aims to Read more…<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[375,14,387],"tags":[283,271,285,282,284],"class_list":{"0":"post-7785","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-community-culture","8":"category-member_news","9":"category-workforce-training-industry","10":"tag-clayco","11":"tag-concrete-strategies","12":"tag-diversity","13":"tag-ferguson","14":"tag-workforce"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7785"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18991,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7785\/revisions\/18991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}