Minority Contractors – Understanding Opportunity and Overcoming Challenges

Understanding opportunities and overcoming challenges seem to be the key theme for minority construction contractors in the Capital Region.  Under Governor David Patterson, laws were enacted that assisted minority contractors in gaining a foothold in the lucrative construction industry of the State of New York.  Many minority contractors face larger challenges than whether or not the opportunity is there.  For many, opportunity does not translate into capital.  So while there is a market for their labor, a push for their participation, there still exists a gap between desire and ability.  I have counseled contractors, some successfully, some not so much.  Either way, the problem seems to peak at the ability to file paperwork, compliance issues, and insurance and bonding.  Various entities are attempting to address the issues of bonding and insurance (i.e. DASNY), even certifications, as women owned and minority contractors, though I hear repeatedly it is easier for women to become certified.  For women in construction, certification is not their main issue.  It would seem construction remains solidly a male dominated field: pernicious to women interested in moving into the arena.   Next time ladies…

The success of MWBE contractors hinges upon two very important things.  First, is not letting the use of the minority label convince you that your business is “minor or less than” any other contractor on the site.  And second, be honest with yourself.  Know what your strengths and weaknesses are.  If you can’t figure out the paperwork, then find someone who can.  If you are having labor issues, shortages, whatever, seek out people who can help you.  To be successful in the Capital Region, these contractors have to overcome their own inability to recognize where they are gifted and where they are not.  Even the best brick mason in the world can’t over come issues of bidding and estimating, if that is not within his expertise.  There are people out there who can assist.  But you first have to recognize you need assistance.  Save those ego issues for more appropriate venues and move your business into a more lucrative posture.  If you don’t hurry and get it together, those due diligence letters are going to become the mainstay instead of primes and general contractors spending large amounts of money  trying to attract contractors to the bidding process.  There is an immense amount of money being spent on construction in the Capital Region and surrounding areas, and there should be no shortage of participating minority contractors vying for these contracts.  They must learn to recognize and embrace opportunities in order to overcome their challenges.

MAU Offers OSHA 30 Hour General Industry Training Course in November

, MAU (Management, Analysis, and Utilization Inc.), will be hosting an OSHA 30 Hour General Industry training course at the Marion Hatcher Center in Augusta, GA.

This training program is designed for safety professionals, supervisors and management-level employees working in a manufacturing setting and will provide an orientation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration general industry regulations and provide an overview of top compliance issues today. Rob Loose, the Safety and Risk Manager at MAU says, “Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a General Industry Outreach training completion card but more importantly, will walk away with a better understanding of what OSHA expects of employers with regard to 29 CFR 1910.”

Frank Spinney, the course teacher and Safety and Training Team Leader for MAU says, “I’m proud to be able to present this training. Meeting the OSHA Standard is the first step in getting an organization where they need to be from a safety point of view. It’s the first step because the OSHA Standards are the   standards one should strive for in taking care of their employees.” 

Spinney adds, “Meeting or exceeding the OSHA standards is the law and it’s a responsibility employers share to take care of the health and safety of employees. The fact that MAU is providing this training for its clients and other local businesses reveals the importance that our company places on the safety of its employees. We want to share our commitment to safety with those we serve.”

To view more details about the course and the topics covered, or to RSVP, please visit http://www.mau.com/training . You can also RSVP by calling 706-823-2344.

  http://www.mau.com/training  or call 706-823-2344

MAU Workforce Solutions  provides business solutions that give our client partnerships a competitive edge through designed processes and our greatest asset – People – in the fields of Professional Recruiting, Commercial Staffing, Outsourcing Solutions, and Outplacement Services. MAU is based in Augusta, GA and has 10 locations throughout the U.S.: Augusta, GA, Lagrange, GA, Aiken, SC, Anderson, SC, Charleston, SC, Greenville, SC, Leeds, AL, Jacksonville, FL, Chattanooga, TN, and Chicago, IL.

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