Our first-time attendance at the SC&RA Annual Meeting in Austin, TX was a success, filled with warm welcomes and meaningful conversations. The event brought together a solid cross section of the industry from service & sales teams to product managers to HR and executives, all aiming to share knowledge while advancing business and industry connections. We attended several educational sessions, and were particularly impressed by the workforce development initiatives. One standout project, led by Jennifer Gabel, President of JK Crane, focused on promoting clear career pathways within the industry.
Alongside workforce development, there was a strong emphasis on the importance of understanding and promoting trade careers. This included discussions on training hiring managers and engaging with parents and mentors to cultivate a more inclusive view of trade careers. For their part, SC&RA takes a proactive approach in introducing the industry to the next generation, actively participating in programs like SkillsUSA and the Future Farmers of America.
Mental health and suicide also emerged as critical topics at the meeting. The CDC reports that about 53 out of every 100,000 construction workers die by suicide, one of the highest rates in the U.S. Many factors contribute to this, including mental health problems, traumatic stress, and tough life situations. It’s important to know the signs of distress, like pulling away from friends, changing behavior, having extreme mood swings, and feeling hopeless or trapped. If you notice these signs in yourself or others, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a great resource for help and information.
With an eye towards the future, we’re already looking forward to next year’s meeting in Denver! More immediate, we’ll be at the Celebration of Agriculture on the National Mall on May 6. We hope to see you in DC!
