Here's a summary of GBRIA's efforts in Workforce Development, Safety Performance and Public Affairs in 2021 with an important look at the launch of our brand new advocacy campaign: Industry Makes. Also get a look ahead at GBRIA's calendar of events for 2022.

Get to know the Baton Rouge Industrial Group and what they do to strengthen support of industry in the Gulf Coast Region and beyond.

Are you aware of the Louisiana Construction Education Foundation or the numerous, well-paying job opportunities available in the state of Louisiana? Milton Graugnard, Chair of the Louisiana Construction Education Foundation (LCEF), talks with GBRIA about how LCEF services our community by supplying opportunities for people of all ages and background in Louisiana to pursue a fulfilling, skilled career in industry. www.lceftoday.org

This is part 2 of a two-part episode. Two Louisiana economic drivers, FG and ExxonMobil, have new projects underway in St. James and East Baton Rouge respectively. What do these projects mean for residents of these parishes and of the state? We hear from Janile Parks, Director of Community and Government Relations with FG, and Kelly Welch, Public and Government Affairs Advisor at ExxonMobil Baton Rouge, who will tell us details about these projects and how they contribute to Louisiana's economy by keeping Louisiana competitive and creating jobs.

This is part 1 of a two-part episode. Two Louisiana economic drivers, FG and ExxonMobil, have new projects underway in St. James and East Baton Rouge respectively. What do these projects mean for residents of these parishes and of the state? We hear from Janile Parks, Director of Community and Government Relations with FG, and Kelly Welch, Public and Government Affairs Advisor at ExxonMobil Baton Rouge, who will tell us details about these projects and how they contribute to their surrounding community and the state.

It's the start of a new year! How do things look economically for industry in the Greater Baton Rouge area following the initial shock caused by the pandemic? What changes can we expect with the country's new administration? What does GBRIA have planned for 2021 in the areas of Safety, Workforce Development and Community engagement? Hear from Jessica Pranjic, Sr. Manager of Communications & Workforce Development, and Brandon Smith, Associate Director of Safety, Health & Security, as they give you a look into GBRIA's plans for 2021.

GBRIA members boast an imperative focus on workplace safety with efforts such as an active Safety, Health and Security Committee and Annual Contractor Safety Excellence Awards program. However, when life and the jobsite get stressful, it can be difficult to maintain one of the most basic foundational building blocks of maintaining a safe-to-work environment, your attitude. Listen to today's episode to hear from Certified Speaking Professional, Matt Booth, on how to maintain a positive attitude. For more information on Matt, visit his website: www.mattbooth.com

GBRIA's mission statement is to add value to our communities by driving solutions to common issues with emphasis on workforce development and safety performance. GBRIA's Contractor Workforce Development Committee set goals for 2020 following a large strategic planning session at the end of 2019. In this podcast, we hear from Jason Zeringue and Joshua Callegan, the committee's initiative leaders, on their progress on an advanced millwright training course and high school millwright curriculum, recruitment and assessment.

With the Stay-at-Home order introduced in Louisiana in March 2020, we witnessed a serious reduction in contractor workforce due to sites having to limit their capacity for workers while maintaining safe COVID-19 guidelines. What has technical and craft training looked like during this time? Have companies taken advantage of the reduction in work to pursue training? Are companies and training providers prepared for the surge of work we anticipate once sites are able to run at full capacity? This episode, we hear from David Helveston, President of the Associated Builders & Contractors, Pelican Chapter, for his perspective on these questions.

On March 22, 2020, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the COVID-19 Stay at Home order for all Louisiana residents. How have businesses and industry in the Greater Baton Rouge region responded and adapted to this abrupt change in our way of life? What are plant managers in the area anticipating economically in the next few months? We hear from GBRIA's President & CEO, Connie Fabre, as she gives us some insight into strategic brainstorming sessions of plant managers, area associations, businesses and more.