Skilled Trades
Discover different skilled trades in the construction industry!
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Welcome to Construction Academy
O&G’s Construction Academy is a workforce development initiative to encourage students to explore careers in the construction industry. Following the lead of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, our goal is to shed light and raise awareness about careers in the construction industry, particularly encouraging women to explore nontraditional occupations, to create lanes that allow for easy access to career exploration, to address negative perceptions about working in the construction industry, and to acknowledge that there are many ways to climb the “career mountain” to dignified economic independence –that is, alternative educational paths. There are many good-paying and rewarding construction careers that require skills beyond high school, but less than a four-year college degree. This trend is expected to continue because of the federal Bipartisan infrastructure Law –job creation estimates peaking at 300,000 in 2027 and 2028.
As an employer, we want a diverse, skilled, candidate pool with a ready-to-work attitude. At the same time, we need individuals to enter the talent pipeline otherwise we don’t know about them. This reinforces the importance of collaboration with our employees, community partners, educators, and parents to support career awareness and exploration that inspires students and adults to consider rewarding but less well-known careers available within the construction industry.
Surprising Facts
Did you know that the US construction sector seems set for a jobs boom. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects $550 billion of new infrastructure investment over the next decade –that means jobs.Did you know that the US Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that women account for 10.9% women in the office for construction companies (HR, Accounting, Business Development, Marketing, Contract Compliance) and 1% at the job site.
Did you know that the Construction Industry Benefits Heavily From Drone Technology -once thought of as novelty items, drones are now responsible for huge cost savings on major construction projects. It’s estimated that drone usage has significantly cut down on the annual $160 billion in waste that occurs on construction sites.
In fact, using drones to measure stockpiles of building materials in real-time has resulted in a 61% increase in measurement accuracy. Many are hoping drones will significantly reduce construction worker injuries and deaths.
In the U.S., 20% of workplace deaths occur in the construction industry –an industry that only makes up 6% of the U.S. labor force. By using drones, construction companies are able to survey and inspect various locations without putting any actual humans in harm’s way.
- The construction industry is closing the gap on equal pay. In fact, women earn 99.1% of what men make in construction – significantly higher than the U.S. average of 81.1%.
- In addition, about 13% of construction firms are now owned by women, a 94% growth since 2007. And 44 of the top 100 construction companies have women executives.
Planning Futures In Construction
It is never too early to start planning. There are many ways to start exploring options in construction at any grade level.
Internships
Internships with O&G are a pathway to employment for motivated students seeking to build a career with a leader in the construction industry. O&G offers summer internships to current rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors in a variety of construction and business disciplines.
Apprenticeships
In a construction apprenticeship program, apprentices learn skills and knowledge from experienced craft professionals. Examples of craft specializations that might be taught through an apprenticeship include carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and welding.
The qualifications to become an apprentice are dependent upon the program, but in most cases minimum requirements include being at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Some apprentices start right after high school, while others are individuals transitioning to a new career.
The O&G 100 Year Story
history
Established in 1923, O&G Industries, Inc., located in Torrington, Connecticut, has seen tremendous growth and evolution from its early years as a supplier of construction materials and road builder to a nationally recognized industry leader in building construction, heavy civil, construction materials, and mason products.
O&G started when two friends, Andrew Oneglia and Flaviano Gervasini, formed a business partnership. Their first jobs included hauling sand and stone to various construction sites. But tragedy struck the company early on; Flaviano was killed when the truck he was operating was struck by a train. Determined to move forward, Andrew worked long hours alongside his three sons, Raymond, Frances, and George, to make a name for the company and honor its fallen founder.
O&G experienced rapid growth in its first 50 years. In 1936 the company bought its first quarry in Woodbury, CT. Three years later, it won its first road construction project, building a bypass road at the submarine base in Ledyard, CT. In 1958 the company won its largest contract yet – building the Thomaston Dam for the Army Corps of Engineers after the flood of 1955. The success of this project solidified O&G’s reputation and propelled the company forward.
Over the next 50 years, the company would continue to diversify by adding ready-mix concrete and asphalt plants, several more quarries, establishing a building group and a mason division, and performing major joint venture projects across the country.
Now in its centennial year, O&G is led by 3rd and 4th generation family members and is nationally recognized as an industry leader in construction services and products. Its diversity is what distinguishes O&G from others in the industry. The company’s product portfolio includes the distribution of aggregates, concrete, and asphalt through a network of six quarries, eight concrete plants, and nine asphalt plants located throughout Connecticut and Eastern New York. The Mason Division is one of the East Coast’s largest masonry products, services, and solutions suppliers. Beyond road, bridge, and dam construction, O&G’s Heavy Civil Division has performed large-scale site work and power and energy projects.
Diversity In Construction
Women of Asphalt, The National Association of Women in Construction, and Build Out Alliance are examples of organizations who strive to create diversity in construction. No matter anyone’s race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc., there is always a place for everyone in construction.
Women of Asphalt
Women of Asphalt is a national coalition which supports women in all aspects of the asphalt industry through mentoring, education, and advocacy, and by encouraging women to seek careers in the asphalt industry.
Goals:
To foster and promote mentoring and networking opportunities for women in asphalt.
To create professional development opportunities for women in asphalt through education and training.
To advocate for women in the asphalt industry.
To encourage other women to join the asphalt industry.
The National Association of Women in Construction
The National Association of Women in Construction is committed to championing women to impact the direction of the construction industry. NAWIC provides education, community, and advocacy for women.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) originated as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas. Sixteen women working in the construction industry founded it in 1953. Knowing that women represented only a small fraction of the construction industry, the founders organized NAWIC to create a support network for women working in a male-dominated field. Women in Construction of Fort Worth was so successful that it gained its national charter in 1955 and officially became the National Association of Women in Construction.
Today, NAWIC is still based in Fort Worth and has over 115 chapters throughout the United States that provide its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC continues the vision of its founding members by advocating for the value and impact of women builders, professionals, and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry.
Build Out Alliance
Build Out Alliance’s vision is a building design and construction industry that universally values inclusion, where LGBTQ professionals work openly with pride, and where everyone has access to equal opportunities and a diverse professional network.
Build Out Alliance promotes and advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community within the building design and construction industry. Our members build an environment where people serve openly and with pride across all roles and sectors of the industry. We lead by example in our own work environments and through partnerships with community organizations.
O&G Industries Cool Construction Videos
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