As investment in our nation’s infrastructure continues to grow, the CM/PM industry is grappling with a daunting challenge: a persistent shortage of skilled professionals.

To retain valuable experts in construction management, firms must offer more than competitive salaries. They must also create a culture that values and supports professional development, rewarding projects, and inclusivity.

The future of the industry hinges on our ability to cultivate talent from within. At STV, we piloted a certification workshop to certify our colleagues as a cohort. Not only did this equip employees with the skills needed to adapt to evolving technologies and project delivery methods – it provided an environment of collaboration and knowledge sharing across the company. Emphasizing cross-functional training can also create a more versatile workforce that is better equipped to handle a project’s challenges.

But training alone is not enough. After serving CMAA for more than 30 years of service to CMAA – including holding officer positions at both the local and national levels – I’ve experienced firsthand the benefits of mentorship as both a mentor and a mentee.

Innovative mentorship techniques, such as reverse mentoring, peer coaching, and group mentoring sessions, can be particularly effective in bridging generational gaps and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

To make these programs resilient, industry professionals must embed mentoring into the fabric of their organizations.  By integrating mentorship into formal programs and day-to-day interactions, firms can create a sustainable model that not only retains current employees but also prepares the industry for future challenges.

Next month, I’ll have the pleasure of moderating a panel of experts at the Construction Management Association of America’s (CMAA) flagship event, CMAA2024 to discuss the latest trends and innovations in Construction Management (CM) and what techniques can be employed to support mentoring initiatives and how STV models those ideals.

Our industry is at a critical juncture. We must rethink our strategies for retention and mentorship, placing a renewed focus on our most crucial asset—our people.

For more about STV’s presence and support for CMAA2024, visit our events page