WORKFORCE INITIATIVES

“We are evolving our BreakingGround 808 program into a teacher externship program in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Education,” Young says. “Our goal is to inspire teachers about the construction industry and give them real-world curricula they can use with their students.

“GCA member companies will have an opportunity to work directly with schools that have building and construction tracks or want to promote construction as a career path for their students.”

GCA is also backing new academic degrees to meet the growing demand for skilled construction project managers.

“We’re working with Hawai‘i Pacific University to develop a new master’s degree program in construction management, which will launch this year,” Young says. “This will be another way to develop local talent for the construction industry.”

In the short term, he notes, “we are offering more training classes for GCA members to expand their skills.

“For example, we’re tapping into the other affiliates such as the Associated General Contractors of Colorado for their training on project engineering and field engineering. It’s a great way to leverage our connection with other AGC chapters to enhance the knowledge of Hawai‘i’s workforce.”

A CALL TO ACTION

New GCA workforce and other industry initiatives arise as members share ideas and take action in committees.

“During my term as president, I would like to encourage more GCA members to make the time to be involved in a GCA committee,” Young says. “Committees are where competitors can come together to collaborate and help each other in the spirit of aloha and look after each other to elevate our industry.”

Committee participation improves project outcomes, too.

“I can personally attest to the value of GCA committees and their role in supporting major state, federal and military projects,” Young adds. “Our committees provide venues for conversations that are mutually beneficial for both GCA members and government agencies or military branches.”

Eight different GCA committees provide members with opportunities to interact directly with government project owners. During meetings, “there are candid discussions on procurement, specifications and other challenges, and they collaborate on developing breakthrough solutions together,” Young says.

“Productive conversations have taken place in our Board of Water Supply, City and County, Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), Department of Education, NAVFAC, Hawaii Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and University of Hawai‘i committees,” he says.

GCA committees also offer mentorship — crucial to workforce development and members’ professional growth.

“Cultivating the next generation of construction professionals is important for the future of Hawai‘i’s construction industry,” says Young. “Without qualified individuals to take the helm and lead the industry, the local construction industry could be hampered, and this could impact economic development in our islands.”

A RISING SON

Young knows firsthand just how critical mentorships can be. Michael considers Russell Young, his dad, who served as GCA president in 1999, as his primary mentor. Russell Young joined Albert C. Kobayashi Inc. (ACK), a leading Hawai‘i general contractor, in 1986 and served as president from 1994 to 2020.

Reflecting on those years in a 2020 Building Industry Hawaii interview, Russell says Michael “started from the bottom [at ACK], working as an intern since high school.”