LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Building the future of construction starts long before anyone steps onto a jobsite. It begins in classrooms, gymnasiums, and community centers—where students first discover that a career in our industry is within reach. That belief is at the heart of GBCA’s strategic goal to introduce 25,000 school-aged students to construction careers by December 2025—and I’m proud to say we’re turning that aspiration into reality.

Since launching this initiative in early 2023, GBCA staff, members, Construction Leadership Council (CLC) volunteers, and union partners have engaged with students at school visits, career fairs, trade expos, and community events across the region—sharing clear pathways into the trades and emphasizing the value of apprenticeship programs. To make these interactions memorable, GBCA created Workforce Development Trading Cards—baseball-style cards featuring individual trades, average salaries, and training timelines. Thousands of these cards have made their way into students’ hands, sparking early interest in both field and office-based construction careers.

Following the success of our first Construction Career Day at the Finishing Trades Institute in 2024, we’re building on that momentum by partnering with Build My Future for a two-day Construction Career Day this October. The expanded event will welcome even more middle and high school students for hands-on experiences that showcase the many pathways into the industry.

In addition to supporting our broader outreach efforts, the Construction Leadership Council has led its own student-focused initiatives—hosting “Casual Conversations” on local college campuses and connecting with students at Mayfair Middle School, Philadelphia’s only middle-school CTE program. Their visit even landed them on the students’ own Dope Students Podcast, where they shared their personal career journeys and helped demystify what it means to build a future in construction.

Creating a diverse workforce demands intentional inclusion. GBCA proudly supports MYWIC—Mentoring Young Women in Construction, a program I am honored to have co-founded in 2009. MYWIC gives young women the opportunity to see themselves in every corner of the industry—from tradeswomen to design team members—proving that construction is a place where their ambitions can thrive.

We have just a few months left to meet - and surpass - our 25,000student goal. With your continued partnership and support, we will build a stronger, more skilled, and more inclusive pipeline of talent for the projects that shape our communities.

Maura C. Hesdon, LEED AP

Chairman of the Board, GBCA

General Manager, Shoemaker Construction Co.