Building PA Podcast

The Building PA Podcast in partnership with Barry Isett and Associates brings you another podcast in the Healthy Work Environments Series.

This episode is with PJ Dick - Trumbull - Lindy Group's Vice President of Human Resources, Lisa Nakamura.

Nakamura expands on the high importance they place on their employees. She'll share details of how looking at the total employee helps guide them on the types of programs their company puts into place to assist with mental health and wellness initiatives.

You'll hear how their forward-thinking helps attract and retain talent. Nakamura shares that an investment or lack of investment in our employees directly affects the bottom line concluding that one dollar can provide a $3 to $5 return. Nakamura states it's well worth the investment.

Nakamura offers training tips on how to recognize signs of distress and despair in employees. And with the holidays right around the corner, the information in this podcast may offer some help and guidance to you, a friend, or a co-worker.

If you need to talk to or know someone who may need help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. There's someone available 24 hours a day.
 

Workforce development and the lack of skilled workers continue to plague the construction industry on both the local and state levels.

Companies that work in the construction industry are realizing they need to look at different, or non-traditional ways of hiring. 

In an effort to keep our listeners informed we wanted to know more about how Philadelphia is giving a second chance to individuals who may not be given a second look on a job application. 

Rep. Jordan Harris, Democratic Whip in the House of Representatives has been a pioneer for the Clean Slate Act which to date has affected more than 1.2 million people. 

Harris shares more about how this bill is helping companies solve issues with worker shortages and the advantages of hiring individuals deserving of a second chance.

If you or your company is experiencing difficulties finding skilled workers, this podcast will give you helpful tips to use in your recruitment efforts. 

Rep. Jordan Harris is a Democrat serving part of Philadelphia County.

In an industry that often embraces a "race to the bottom" pricing mentality, we wanted to pivot the conversation slightly and focus on how construction companies can bring value to their clients.

Our guest, John Hayden, has been in the construction industry for 37 years. Much of John's experience lives in the world of performance construction. The energy component Hayden uses to help his clients with cost savings does not take dollars off the bottom line at first, but provides long-term solutions and savings for years to come. 

This approach - especially in renovation projects - has become more popular in the green building space. Hayden reveals trending topics on the energy side of building and renovating, and gives examples of how he saves his clients money. He also discusses how long-term savings earns his clients tax rebates that can help them experience a greener way of building.

John Hayden is the director of Engineering at Quandel Energy Solutions. 

On the Building PA Podcast, we often talk about large, expansive projects and the orchestration of managing a 50 to 100-million-dollar project from the ground up.

In this episode, we are swinging the pendulum and talking about small projects, and the unique challenges that come along with a project in the five million dollars or less category.

Katie Walsh, project manager and architect with the SmithGroup in Pittsburgh, PA, shares what she has learned working on small projects. There are benefits to being involved in all aspects of a project and many architects that work on larger projects don't get the experience of dealing with contractors, owners, and subcontractors. On a smaller project, you do.

This is a great podcast for young architects navigating their way through their careers. There is a lot of knowledge to be gained by working on smaller tenant fit-outs, renovations, and workplace repositioning projects.

Workforce issues aren't a new topic for the construction industry. COVID only enhanced the problem, which forced some companies to look for new ways to fill positions and help solve worker shortage. 

We have had many business owners and executives on the podcast share steps they are taking in their businesses to help minimize this problem. In this episode, we wanted to bring our listeners an individual who deals with finding solutions to this problem on a daily basis.

Director of the Apprenticeship and Training Office for the Commonwealth of PA, Tara Loew believes our state has a resource right under our nose that is being underutilized - registered apprenticeship programs. 

Loew talks about how companies can benefit by looking into these programs as a  workforce resource.

If your company is experiencing difficulties finding employees and keeping employees this podcast offers suggestions on how to think beyond traditional job fairs and job postings. These are steps you can take to make an investment in your company and work personnel. 



 

The Building PA Podcast has great respect for the men and women that have served and continue to serve to protect our country and freedom. To all of you, we thank you.

In recognition of Veterans Day, November 11th, 2022, we are honored to interview Ralph Galati, a fellow Veteran that has dedicated his life to helping Veterans receive the benefits they deserve and find jobs they need.

Galati's combined experience in the military, academics, and business are key components in helping vets find employment and meaningful careers.

Galati works closely with Vetjobs.org to help in every aspect of life where a Veteran may need assistance. 

This podcast is a great resource for Veterans and those who know Veterans struggling to find work or gain access to the benefits they deserve. 

Everyone loves a good comeback story and there's no better story to tell than how the city of Pittsburgh turned from a depressed coal miner's town into a thriving city and suburb filled with environmentally conscious businesses and people. 

Lifelong Pittsburger, or "Yinzer," Nick Deiuliis, president and chief executive officer for CNX shares his view of watching the city change and now working on the Pittsburgh Airport renovation on its way to becoming the first self-sustaining airport in the United States. 

Deiuliis shares details about the project and the innovation behind the work being done. He also talks about the strategies to reduce emissions and costs for transportation and other industries. 

For our listeners who want to hear a story of innovation, technology, and how a project of this size will help reduce carbon footprint, this podcast is for you. 

Download now and share with your co-workers and colleagues. 

This Fall Pennsylvania will be a focal point for people across the country as they watch the very highly publicized race for Governor and Senate.

In recognition of the upcoming November 8 election, we wanted to share with our listeners the importance of the election and the issues facing owners, and individuals that work in or with the construction industry.

Our guest Steve Massaro, is the chairman of the General Contractors Association of Pennsylvania, GCAP, and president of Massaro Corporation.  Massaro in his position at GCAP and as a business owner along with the Building PA Podcast want to be clear that we do not endorse candidates we endorse issues. 

You'll hear about the numerous issues that continue to plague the construction industry and what we, as construction professionals, need to stay alert to.

Download this episode and share the link with your friends and co-workers.

And last but not least, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Click here to find your polling place.

Frank Howard from Howard Concrete Pumping, knows a thing or two about abandoned mine land reclamation.

Their company has completed more mine reclamation projects than our competitors combined in the regions we serve.  Howard has completed nearly 30,000 injection holes for over 2,000,000 feet of drilling and 1,100,00 cubic yards of grout in the past ten years.  

Abandoned Mine Land reclamation (AML), serves an important part in restoring the environment in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Companies like Howard Concrete Pumping that work in AML reclamation help resolve mine fires, mine subsidence, dangerous high walls, open shafts and portals, mining-impacted water supplies, and other hazards resulting from past coal mining.

The infrastructure and jobs act has helped fund the continued work on AML. 

Tune in to listen to the fascinating stories of how this work will make Pennsylvania safer and healthier.