Construction Inclusion Week 2025: Toolbox Talk 4

Career Re-entry

Pathways

Second-chance hiring is an opportunity for our industry to offer new chances to people rebuilding their lives and careers.

This conversation helps teams understand what a "second chance pathway" means and the value it brings to the job site. It will help you recognize the potential of people with nontraditional paths and learn how to be welcoming and supportive on the job. The goal is to explore ways to reduce stigma and unconscious bias during the hiring process and to show how this approach can build the workforce and reduce turnover.

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

Sample Activity Options

JOBSITE ACTIVITY

Review how we welcome new people, what works and what could be better.

OFFICE ACTIVITY

Review current hiring and onboarding policies; look for language or steps that could exclude reentry talent.

School/Community Activity

Partner with training, recovery, or second-chance programs to offer site tours or info sessions.

Group Activity

In teams, list what it takes for someone to succeed on your crew, then ask: are we making that possible for everyone?

Discussion Questions

Building a great team means giving people a strong foundation to start on. We will go over  giving second chances and how we create an environment where everyone can succeed. We’ll talk about what it takes to welcome someone who is starting over, looking past assumptions to focus on their potential and what they bring to the jobsite. The goal is to reinforce that our crew is a strong support structure for those opportunities, ensuring we are all building a better future together

  • What does a second chance mean to you?
  • What helps someone feel safe and included when starting over?
  • What assumptions do we make about people’s backgrounds, and are they fair?
  • How can we help supervisors, and team leaders support second-chance workers?
  • What’s one thing our team could do better when welcoming someone new?

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

Download Toolbox Talk 4 Download All Toolbox Talks

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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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