Sr. Superintendent Jared Davis, Sr. Superintendent Evan Sims, and Superintendent Tyrone Evans recently represented Webcor at CityBuild’s Building Back Stronger Through Partnerships event, a two-day program focused on the exchange of local workforce development values and strategies with other municipalities. Policymakers and community ambassadors from around the country listened to contractors, unions, and CityBuild organizers discuss the challenges, benefits, and implementation strategies of local workforce development.

“Tyrone and I participated in the event both days,” Evan says. “We toured the facilities and answered any questions requiring a builder’s perspective. Our guests represented the cities of Syracuse, Reno/Sparks, and Denver who want to model CityBuild’s success back home. We are pursuing work in Denver, so it was a great opportunity to also meet some influencers from that area. Personally, it was also a great chance to learn more about CityBuild’s history and mission.”

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On Day 2, Jared joined representatives from San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, Swinerton, Mission Hiring Hall, and San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development for a discussion panel on the future of apprenticeship readiness training. The group of thought leaders also shared their insights on how programs such as CityBuild are building back stronger and more equitably.

“I get excited any time I can be involved in something that reminds me that we build more than just projects – we build relationships and develop people,” Jared says. “It was amazing to encourage and influence the trajectory of local workforce development in more than just San Francisco. Influencing policy decisions and initiatives in places like Colorado, Nevada, and New York helps me see beyond myself and take stock of what is important.

“I have gone to several CityBuild graduation events and taken part in sponsoring new hires through their union hiring process,” he continues. “In a small way, my future involvement will focus on encouraging our field leaders to see local hiring as more than a requirement.  When we empower members of our community to earn a living wage and provide for their families, we engage in so much more than meeting a schedule or building landmarks – we build the future. As Webcor hires CityBuild Academy graduates, we grow in empathy and learn the hard work of creating an environment of success and inclusion for everyone.”

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Webcor has worked closely with CityBuild for several years, from teaching craft skills such as concrete forming and proper usage of scaffolding systems to providing/recruiting graduates from CityBuild’s training program, CityBuild Academy. CityBuild’s goals are to assist in identifying career pathways and employment opportunities for San Francisco residents in the construction sector; to create training opportunities that assist with developing a qualified construction workforce; and to assist contractors with meeting their labor needs and compliance with legislated construction workforce policies.

“I have been involved with CityBuild since 2010,” Tyrone says. “I got involved because I wanted to be a mentor to the young people and help them build a good life in the construction business. I have worked with CityBuild Director Ken Nim for years and trained many CityBuild students in construction trades. Some have gone on to become journeymen and journeywomen.”

Jared’s engagement with CityBuild began while working on Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center, his first public project with Webcor. Integrating local workforce development graduates in several other public works projects – from Moscone Center Expansion to Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at SFO – has been a uniquely rewarding experience that has more deeply connected him to the surrounding community.

“My continued engagement is motivated by that same sense of purpose – helping others make inroads with an amazing industry where folks can earn a living wage,” he says. “Webcor’s continued partnership with CityBuild is critical, as it serves to bring diversity and financial equality to our city.  The more we can support the training, hiring, and long-term success of local craft workers who are historically underrepresented in construction, the greater our community impact will be.  Our partnership helps dampen the staggering racial wage gap we so desperately need to reconcile.”

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As Tyrone notes, in addition to the impact Webcor’s partnership with CityBuild has on the local community, hiring San Francisco residents is key to continuing to win public work in the city.

“As a San Francisco-based company, hiring San Francisco residents is a good look when we bid on San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and high-rise housing projects in the city, which we often do. It’s also a good way for Webcor to give back to the San Francisco community,” he says.

Currently, Evan is Webcor’s liaison with CityBuild; Sr. Vice President Greg Chauhan approached him about taking over the role when former Webcorian Brian Morton retired. As someone who has been passionate about industrial arts education for several years, Evan was excited to take on the opportunity.

“I’ve always thought of my training in industrial arts as what got me through my education,” Evan says. “Making things with my hands helped me absorb the concepts being discussed in class. We all learn differently, but unfortunately, as budgets cut shop classes, the options for students became narrow in its message –go to college (by amassing debt), and get a tech job. But what about the living wage careers in the building trades? What about those who find satisfaction in working with our hands? What about getting paid to train in your career? I’m getting involved to revive that message and support programs that have made pre-apprenticeship and life skills training their mission.”

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He pointed out that partnering with CityBuild aligns perfectly with Webcor’s Community core value, as it creates the opportunity to not only work in our city, but to help dramatically transform communities.

“We plan to solidify our relationship with CityBuild. Tyrone is applying for their Board, and we’ll collaborate with other groups within Webcor to support some smaller community-based organizations that share CityBuild’s goal of opening up careers in the building trades to people looking for a new start. It’s a selfish pursuit because without a strong workforce, Webcor can’t do what we do.

“When we attended CityBuild’s 15th anniversary celebration, it was apparent that other contractors held a closer relationship with the organization,” he continues. “We aim to change that. Our partnership with the city is very important. We want Webcor on everyone’s mind down at City Hall.”