In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, EFCG would like to recognize all the contributions that women within the AEC industry make to create a more equitable and sustainable world. While progress has been made to support women across the AEC industry, only 25% of engineering-related positions are comprised of women, despite making up 54% of the US workforce.

As a women-owned and operated firm, EFCG is committed to helping to advance new opportunities for women inside and outside our industry and celebrates the groundbreaking impacts women have achieved in these roles!

• On Wednesday, President Joe Biden called on Congress to suspend the federal gasoline and diesel taxes until the end of September in hopes of providing relief for American consumers as inflation continues to surge around the country.
• Construction and Engineering firms were quick to condemn this plan, as most of the revenue generated from gas and diesel taxes goes directly to the Highway Trust Fund. The White House estimates that the suspension would lead to a $10 billion loss in revenue for the Fund.
• Michele Stanley, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association VP of government and regulatory affairs, said in an email that these measures “cause greater uncertainty for state departments of transportation and project planners.”

• A report from the Learning & Work Institute and WorldSkills UK found that, while young people want to build careers that can help combat climate change and other environmental issues, there is a general lack of knowledge and understanding about the skills needed in the green sector.
• Of the 1,162 young people aged 16-24 polled, 62% said they were passionate about sustainability, and 80% said it was important to work for an organization committed to tackling climate change.
• However, most respondents said they had never heard of green skills, which range from technical skills needed in construction, engineering, and manufacturing, to more general skills, including change management, leadership, and communications.
• The report cautioned this disconnect between available skills and the needs of employers, suggesting that, without more training and guidance to help young people pursue a green career, the UK was at risk of missing its net-zero targets.