Construction Inclusion Week 2025: Toolbox Talk 13

Economic Opportunity - Broadening Opportunity for Qualified Suppliers

Having a variety of suppliers is about more than contracts; it’s about growing the industry by investing in people and communities.

This session explores the powerful link between our hiring decisions and the strength of our communities. We will examine how a commitment to diverse procurement and contracting can drive job creation and open doors for small and emerging firms. By identifying and removing common barriers, we can create a more fair pathway to success, ensuring that our sourcing strategies support training, access, and lasting community impact.

PILLAR ALIGNMENT: Economic Opportunity, Community Engagement, Commitment & Accountability

Sample Activity Options

JOBSITE ACTIVITY

Create a “Partner spotlight” board featuring photos or stories of their impact.

OFFICE ACTIVITY

Track which suppliers create entry-level opportunities or apprenticeships.

School/Community Activity

Invite suppliers to speak with students about careers and business ownership.

Group Activity

List 5 benefits of growing your network, and who benefits most.

Discussion Questions

Building a great project means working with a great team, and that includes our suppliers and partners. Let’s examine how we can use contracts and project planning to create opportunities, addressing the challenges of working with small or emerging firms and removing barriers to give them a shot. The goal is to reinforce that by opening our doors wider to new firms, we’re not only strengthening our projects but also helping to build the next generation of our industry.

  • What’s the link between who we hire and who has a career path in construction?
  • What gets in the way of working with small or emerging firms?
  • How can we remove barriers and create more access through our contracts?
  • Who on our team has the ability to open doors through procurement or project planning?
  • What’s one simple action we can take to open doors wider in procurement or partnership?

Start planning your Toolbox Talk Activities now! Download this Toolbox Talk below or download the full set:

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Opening Doors through Mentorship

Mentor your crew to build a stronger team

Sparking Early Interest in the Construction Industry

Build a talent pipeline by inspiring the next generation

Respect and Inclusion on the Jobsite/ Workplace

Create a respectful crew for a safer jobsite

Career Re-entry

Build your workforce by giving second chances

Building an Inclusive Site Culture

Reinforce an inclusive crew with everyday actions

Mental Health in Construction

Promote mental well-being to build a safer jobsite

Psychological Safety in Construction

Constructing a Culture of Trust and Safety

Pivot & Build – Life After Athletics

Harness athletic talent to strengthen your crew

Construction Careers for Veterans

Framing Opportunities for Veterans in Construction

Supporting People with Different Abilities and Neurodivergent Thinking Styles

Different minds, same mission: a stronger crew

Small Actions, Big Impact

Small actions build a stronger jobsite culture.

Bridging Generations: Respecting Differences, Building Together

Uniting Crews Through Generational Understanding

Economic Opportunity - Broadening Opportunity for Qualified Suppliers

Expanding Possibilities Through a Broad Supplier Network
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