Kingston Barnes’ Post

Ever been to an event that leaves you buzzing with new insights and ideas? That was me yesterday at the South East Construction Expo & Awards event at the American Express Community Stadium. The panel discussion, featuring Richard Brooks and Michele Augousti, was a goldmine of knowledge, especially on the topic of making the construction industry an enticing prospect for the labour market. The answers were as diverse as they were insightful. Training, transferable skills, community engagement, apprenticeships, technology, sustainability, ecology, biodiversity - the list goes on. It's not just about being "on the tools". The construction industry is a vast landscape of opportunities waiting to be explored. And guess what? Flexible working and WFH roles are available too. The benefits? More time with family, less commuting stress, and a better work-life balance. But here's the catch - we need to get out there and talk about these roles. Speak to your local Enterprise advisor, career coaches, schools, colleges, universities. If one doesn't help, find one who will. Remember, there's a unique sense of pride in saying, "I built that" or "I contributed to that". It's a legacy that lasts for generations. Now, over to you. How do you think we can make the construction industry more appealing to the labour market? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with your network. Great to catch up with Andy Hortin Chris Mansfield Edward Chinn FRSA and new friends Marvin Gayle and @Chris Davis also Gordon Roff and Maddie Roff #Construction #CareerOpportunities #LegacyBuilding

Ever been to an event that leaves you buzzing with new insights and ideas? That was me yesterday at the South East Construction Expo & Awards event at the American Express Community Stadium. The panel discussion, featuring Richard Brooks and Michele Augousti, was a goldmine of knowledge, especially on the topic of making the construction industry an enticing prospect for the labour market. The answers were as diverse as they were insightful. Training, transferable skills, community engagement, apprenticeships, technology, sustainability, ecology, biodiversity - the list goes on. It's not just about being "on the tools". The construction industry is a vast landscape of opportunities waiting to be explored. And guess what? Flexible working and WFH roles are available too. The benefits? More time with family, less commuting stress, and a better work-life balance. But here's the catch - we need to get out there and talk about these roles. Speak to your local Enterprise advisor, career coaches, schools, colleges, universities. If one doesn't help, find one who will. Remember, there's a unique sense of pride in saying, "I built that" or "I contributed to that". It's a legacy that lasts for generations. Now, over to you. How do you think we can make the construction industry more appealing to the labour market? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with your network. Great to catch up with Andy Hortin Chris Mansfield Edward Chinn FRSA and new friends Marvin Gayle and @Chris Davis also Gordon Roff and Maddie Roff #constructionuk #CareerOpportunities #LegacyBuilding

Why You Should Consider a Career in Trades Today Discover the benefits of pursuing a career in trades over traditional college. Learn insights from industry experts and the potential earnings that rival many professions. Join us on this journey with Rippy's Renovations and explore a rewarding path in the blue-collar workforce. #CareerInTrades #RippysRenovations #BlueCollarJobs #ConstructionCareers #TradeSkills #BusinessCoaching #MattReisinger #MikeRowe #FinancialSuccess #RenovationExperts

In today’s world, people aren’t just choosing jobs – they’re choosing lifestyles and cultures that empower, inspire, and encourage growth. At Acres, our work culture is the heartbeat of our success and the reason behind the long commitment of our teammates who’ve chosen to continue growing their careers with us. Seeing succession in the company in terms of promotions is very rewarding, says Project Coordinator, Melanie Atwater. “This whole position was ultimately a huge offer in itself. They knew I didn’t have a lot of these skillsets and yet the things that I proved, and the things I’ve shown, they seen something in me. So, it’s really rewarding because they took a chance on me.” Our commitment to our team echoes our commitment to our clients – we’re teammates with our clients. We invest in understanding their businesses, their goals, and their projects, building lasting relationships rooted in trust and mutual respect. Our foundation is simple yet profound according to Acres’ Owner and President, Jason Paige. “Hire good people, inspire them to do great things, and put all the tools in front of them.” We are proud to have people from all walks of life, and it is our intention to be every team member’s second home. Join us in redefining what it means to love where you work – 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. View the current opportunities to join our team here: https://lnkd.in/g9M26UP #acresenterprises #acresdifference #acrescareers #hiring #careers #jointheteam #construction #bcconstruction #constructionindustry #workculture #workplace #workplaceculture #lovewhereyouwork #growyourcareer

IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

In a recent interview with WZZM's 13 ON YOUR SIDE, Steve Huizinga got to share about the Construction Traveling Roadshow put on by the Construction Careers Council and West Michigan Works! The purpose of the roadshow is to help create a diverse and qualified construction workforce. Steve explains that the next ten years present a turning point for the construction industry as a large group of long-time workers are set to retire. Worse, there’s no pipeline right now to fill the roles being vacated. He emphasized that the industry needs people right now to learn from the very experienced workers leaving the workforce. "We're focused on...getting the next generation of tradespeople. Educating them about what the trades are, how it is a great career option,” says Steve. More importantly the Construction Careers Council wants the students to know that a trade career is a “traditional” choice. "We educate them about how it is a great career. It doesn't have to be nontraditional. It's just a different career path...it's a first tier career path, and it's a great option for any and all." If you know potential workers, including teenagers and young adults, wanting to connect with employers, they can reach out to West Michigan Works! or the West Michigan Construction Institute.

Check out this quick interview with Steve Huizinga on how the Construction Careers Council is facing down the labor shortage in the West Michigan construction industry!

Boom! 💥 Another Constructionarium Australia lunch n learn delivered for an amazingly talented cohort who are now my network buddies. We talked about how they could optimise their careers. “What’s your trademark?” and the importance of how you carry yourself. Help first mentality, the power of creating a pool of advocates, cultivating an authentic and positive personal brand. Seeing things through, specifically how much you learn in the final stages of a project that fast tracks career development and progression. “People don’t experience your intentions they experience your behaviours” make them count, serve you and your purpose. Can’t wait for the next one. #infrastructureprojects #infrastructure #emergingprofessionals #civilengineering #civilengineer #civilengineeringjobs #bridgeconstruction

Does finding reliable labor or keeping cash flow steady keep you up at night? You're not alone! Other landscape owners share their common landscaping business worries and offers solutions. https://hubs.ly/Q02KdcYq0 Stay up to date here. https://hubs.ly/Q02KcYGN0

Reflecting on 6 Incredible Years at the Anderton Centre When I first walked through the doors of the Anderton Centre, I couldn't have imagined the challenges, successes, and invaluable lessons that lay ahead. From day one, I sensed there was something truly special about this place. My mission was clear: harness its potential, build a team that could express its unique qualities, and share its story with as many people as possible. I don’t toot my own horn very often, but by any metric, the Centre has gone from strength to strength. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together. In business, people often say you should never look back as it may cause you to lose focus on the future. While I somewhat agree, I believe that reflecting on our journey allows us to appreciate how far we’ve come and to craft an inspiring vision for the future. To use a sporting analogy, we aim to leave the shirt in a better place than when we got it. When the time is right, I hope to do just that. For now, there's still plenty of work ahead, driving more passion, enhancing customer focus, and striving for continuous improvement. #milestone #careerjourney #teamwork #growthmindset #continuousimprovement #reflect