5 Construction Industry Myths Debunked
As with many professions, there are plenty of misconceptions and stereotypes when it comes to the construction industry. From environmental concerns and safety issues to construction worker demographics, we’re here to break down some of the industry’s most common myths.
Myth #1: Construction is Bad for the Environment
Today’s construction industry places a major emphasis on green building and sustainability. Green building materials have become more economical as demand motivates manufacturers to create quality, affordable materials which meet sustainability standards.
Sustainability is driven from the top down at CMSWillowbrook. President Weston DeHart and Tulsa Director of Operations Bryan Miles are both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals. LEED is a worldwide green building certification program, which includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and neighborhoods.
Project Manager Heather Rouba on a job site
Myth #2: Women Don’t Work in Construction
According to the National Association of Women in Construction, women make up an average 9.1% of the U.S. construction workforce. But there’s nothing average about CMSWillowbrook — at our firm, women comprise more than 18% of our employees, several of which serve in managerial positions.
The number of women in construction management roles continues to rise; between 2010 and 2016, the percentage of females in these positions nearly doubled. We wouldn’t be where we are without the late Jan Dunkin and Cristy Callins, two important people in CMSWillowbrook’s history.
Since 1974, CMSWillowbrook has grown from a small localized firm to a large statewide company with annual revenues over $130 million. Much of this can be attributed to Jan Dunkin, whose vision, leadership, marketing skills and impeccable customer service led the company to success during her time as executive vice president of client services.
Jan was also the second woman ever to be recognized with the Builder of the Year Award at the Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma’s annual meeting and was a nationally Certified Construction Manager (CCM) through the Construction Management Association of America — female CCMs make up less than 7% of all construction managers in the country today.
In addition to being an essential part of CMSWillowbrook, Cristy, vice president of pre-construction services, helps inspire the next generation of leaders through Women in Technology, a program which equips female students with the skills they need to pursue careers commonly held by men, such as CM and other high-skill occupations. More women are entering the construction industry every day thanks to opportunities created by women who came before them.
Senior Superintendent Allen Neal
Myth #3: The Construction Industry is for People With Specific Educational Backgrounds
Whether or not they went to college, construction professionals possess a variety of skills and talents, many of which require special certifications. Aerial lift operators and crane operators both require specific training. The American Concrete Institute even offers almost 30 different certifications ranging from cement and masonry testing to adhesive anchor installation and concrete flatwork finishing. Specialized knowledge is the name of the game in construction — in 2019, CMSWillowbrook employees earned 70 new certifications.
Senior Superintendent Allen Neal is a great example of how people can succeed in construction, no matter their educational background. He started working at CMSWillowbrook in 1978, a few years after graduating high school and just five years after Cary DeHart founded the company. Allen went from working at the lumber yard and cleaning job sites to eventually becoming a senior superintendent. Today, he teaches others as they come up through the ranks and says mentoring is one of his favorite parts of his job.
While not all roles within construction require a college degree, there are many opportunities for those who do have one. CMSWillowbrook President Weston DeHart, for example, attended Oklahoma State University and studied construction management technology. Dianne Jackson, our Chief Financial Officer, is a numbers guru who passed the CPA test on her first try and has more than 20 years’ experience as an accountant in the construction industry; Dianne also has degrees in both accounting and business administration and management.
Vice President of Operations Angelo Bradford
Myth #4: The Construction Industry Presents Limited Career Opportunities
For those willing to work hard and learn all they can, construction offers plenty of opportunity for professional success. Take CMSWillowbrook’s Vice President of Operations Angelo Bradford, for example: Angelo joined the company part-time in 2005 as a freshman at Oklahoma State University and worked his way up from laborer to project manager to project director. Today, Angelo oversees all construction operations.
Construction is also a great industry for those looking to grow. Sydney Reneau, a project engineer for CMSWillowbrook, graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 2016 with a degree in interior architecture and has been with the company for over a year and a half. She currently assists superintendents and project managers with onsite safety and procedural coordination; her goal is to eventually oversee her own development as a project manager.
Construction is a multi-billion-dollar industry with more than seven million employees nationwide. No matter someone’s professional ambitions, there’s a place for them in construction.
Myth #5: Construction is Extremely Dangerous
Current safety standards and regulations have made the construction industry safer than it has ever been. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports fatal work injuries in the private construction sector have decreased every year since 2006.
Most companies develop risk management plans, hold regular safety meetings and adopt a safety-first approach to construction. At CMSWillowbrook, we preach the idea of thinking before acting. We tell workers whenever they’re about to do something, they should take a few seconds, pause, and ask themselves if they’re going about the task in the right way. Do they have the proper equipment? Can they perform the task safely? If not, what do they need to make that possible?
Additionally, digital technology allows companies to work more safely and efficiently. Drones and predictive modeling, for example, allow crews to easily identify potential hazards. Virtual reality can even help train workers before they step foot on the job site.
CMSWillowbrook is committed to being a leader in the construction industry. From safety and environmental standards to promoting workforce diversity, you can count on us to lead the charge.