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Paving the way
Minority groups push
for inclusion in industryBy Anne Herbst
Special to The Daily Reporter
A projected labor shortage in construction poses new challenges for the industry but also creates new possibilities for its underrepresented minority population.
Groups like the African American Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Minority Contractors and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce encourage minorities to get involved in an industry where they are traditionally underused.
Dester Martin, executive committee chairman for the African American Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee, said the percentage of minorities in construction is low, but his organization has worked to increase those numbers. The progress has been slow, he said, because small businesses lack the funds to get started.
Getting a foot in the industry’s door often requires cash up front to cover the costs of a company’s initial construction contracts, and the chamber is doing what it can to offer that support to minority and small businesses. Martin said it is critical for disadvantaged businesses to have that initial financial assistance.
“Let’s say if one of our contractors had a contract with the 6th Street Viaduct project -- that he needed mobilization money -- and let’s say he needed anywhere from $1 to $15,000,” Martin said. “That is what we are trying to put together.”
The chamber also educates minority business owners and urges them to participate in setting policies.
“The disadvantaged business people themselves have not been involved,” Martin said. “By doing for themselves, instead of waiting for everybody else to do things for them, matters will improve.”
National aid
Richard Bowles, National Association of Minority Contractors Wisconsin Chapter president, said supporting minorities in construction is at the heart of what he does. The association aims to develop programs that improve minority contractor competitiveness in the local and national marketplace.
“We advocate for our members...and many others that are not members, but because of their status as small, woman-owned, minority or disadvantaged businesses, they benefit from our advocacy,” Bowles said. “In reality, none of these programs, locally or nationally, exist unless someone is pushing for them.”
Bowles, like Martin, said minority-owned businesses need proper resources to be viable competitors, which is part of what the association does.
“What good is (advocacy) if you don’t have the resources to play the game?” Bowles said. “To be effective, you have to deal with true capacity-the use of technology and getting the resources that you need just to be able to compete properly.”
From the bottom up
The organizations also work with kids to set the stage for increasing the number of minorities in construction. The Milwaukee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce puts together career fairs to educate high schoolers about opportunities in the industry.
“I believe it all starts with our youth,” said Maria Monreal-Cameron of the HCC. “Education should begin early on.”She said there is a definite lack of promotion in drawing minorities into construction. The HCC advocates for its members and has monthly meetings with a lineup of speakers on business topics.
“More and more you’re seeing an increase in the Hispanic and minority population in the industry,” said Monreal-Cameron.
“We’ve been successful in that respect.”
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