Reshaping the Construction Industry

Last week, producer of the world’s most innovative runways transformed American engineering masterpiece, Hoover Dam, into a sky-high catwalk. Matching the unstoppable strength of a new daring generation with the hydroelectric power, Jessica Minh Anh’s Summer Fashion Show 2017 premiered design excellence while redefining a series of modern standards. The extraordinary production, which stopped traffic atop the iconic megastructure, showcased eight exquisite haute couture, ready-to-wear, and jewelry collections from 4 continents.

McPherson had the opportunity to talk with a couple of people who are involved in an exciting collaboration between NCCER and military and industry experts on behalf of those who are veterans of or are currently transitioning from active service in the United States Military.  The goal of this joint effort is to help those who have been trained in skilled trades through the military to translate those skills into the NCCER certifications recognized by construction companies across the industry.

Once framed and drywalled on one side with plumbing, electrical and HVAC stub outs in place, they were inspected, fully wrapped and transported to the construction site in the congested Texas Medical Center. On site, they were lifted onto the appropriate floors, dollied into place and then connected to the building systems, inspected the final time, finished and then they became a part of the finished building.

Headlines on recent news stories suggest rising construction materials and labor costs are pushing up project prices and may be contributing to cancellations, but the articles point to other possible explanations.