High-Profile: October 2026 | Page 24

24 High-Profile: Spotlight: Construction Inclusion Week October 2026

Boston – Shawmut Design and Construction, a 100 % employee-owned company, is addressing the construction industry’ s talent gap through workforce development, building internal pathways that give employees room to grow, take on new challenges and move into leadership.

Shawmut’ s Construction Management Skills Training( CMST) program is a three-year rotation for entry-level employees that has produced some of the firm’ s current executive-level leaders. This year, 20 employee-owners across the country completed the program, joining a network of more than 200 CMST alumni who now serve in roles throughout Shawmut.

The firm also offers a Leadership Development Program, a one-year program for high-performing, highpotential individuals, equipping them with the tools and experience to take on greater leadership responsibilities. The program includes an action learning project in which participants propose solutions to existing business challenges and needs, with the opportunity to secure the budget to put their plan into action. In September, 26 employee-owners began the program, joining a network of 50 alumni who are now senior leaders and executives at Shawmut.

Shawmut also invests in the next generation of talent through the Shawmut Scholars program with Roger Williams University, which provides four-year scholarships, paid internships, mentorship, professional development opportunities and industry exposure to students pursuing construction management and engineering degrees.

Other partnerships with organizations such as Summer Search, The Posse Foundation, ACE Mentor Program and STEM Advantage give students insight into industry careers through jobsite tours, office visits, mentorship, internships and career coaching.

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Shawmut scholars in training

More than 25 Summer Search alumni have joined Shawmut as full-time employee-owners, and two Shawmut Scholars accepted full-time positions at the firm following graduation in 2025. ACE Mentor and STEM Advantage students have been hired as interns and CMSTs, and numerous internship participants have gone on to launch their careers with the company.

“ Shawmut is a people-first company at its core, centered on belonging, wellness, and respect,” said Michelle LaFleur, chief people officer at Shawmut.“ We are continuously looking to address the industry talent gap through our own programs and longstanding partnerships with talent access organizations to encourage and cultivate unique perspectives that drive

New England CMST graduates / Photos courtesy of Shawmut Design and Construction

innovation and solve complex problems. When we talk about our culture of care, it’ s about creating an environment where people can show up as themselves and ensuring our employees feel seen

Waltham, Mass. – The Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts( AGC MA) will host its 2026 Diversity Summit on Oct. 14 from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. at Bentley University in Waltham. The event will bring together small and local businesses, general contractors, construction managers, owners and industry partners for educational workshops, supplier matchmaking and networking focused on building business relationships and preparing firms for future opportunities.

Held under the theme“ Compete. Scale. Deliver. Building High-Performing Partnerships in Today’ s Construction Market,” the summit will include an industry and advocacy conversation addressing market trends, partnerships and opportunities shaping the construction industry.

New this year, AGC MA will introduce structured supplier matchmaking, a facilitated networking program connecting registered underrepresented business enterprise( UBE) firms with participating general contractors and construction managers. Firms will be matched based on their trades, capabilities and business goals, with discussions focused on upcoming project opportunities, firm capabilities and potential partnerships.

The summit will also offer educational workshops designed to provide businesses with practical strategies for competing and growing in the construction market.

and heard. That mindset shapes how we work together every day, giving employees the space to share their perspectives, which makes us stronger as a team.”

Attendees will be able to participate in sessions focused on bidding best practices, prequalification and experience modification rates( EMR), and opportunities in the clean energy market.

The bidding workshop will address preparing competitive bids, what general contractors and construction managers consider when evaluating trade partners, bonding capacity and preparing for larger projects. The prequalification and EMR session will cover safety metrics, financial documentation, insurance requirements and other factors used to evaluate potential trade partners.

The clean energy workshop will focus on construction opportunities resulting from investments in clean energy, sustainability and decarbonization, including emerging market sectors and strategies businesses can use to position themselves for future projects.

The program will also include networking opportunities, resource partner presentations and a closing reception.