The events of 2020 brought to the forefront the topic of Economic Inclusion across social, economic, and government spheres. In the same year, Gilbane launched its first iteration of the Rising Contractors Program, a mentorship-based capacity-building program geared toward developing Diverse-Owned & Small Businesses (DOSBs) into partners with whom we can provide opportunities to bid and work. Since launch, we’ve been proud to grow the program in terms of participation, impact, and offerings.
Rising Contractor Program More than Doubles in Growth Since 2020:
The program has been steadily spreading throughout our various Business Units, from New York, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic to the Midwest, Southeast, Florida, and out to Northern and Southern California. From the Rising Contractor Program’s inception, it has grown from four to 14 business units across the enterprise, with plans for further expansion. The program’s growth reflects the growth of our Economic Inclusion Team, with program staff being brought aboard to further our inclusion goals in the regions and communities in which we work. The mentorship commitment is a 1:1 ratio of mentor to Rising Contractor for at least one year. As the program grows, we have added additional mentors, generally Senior Project Managers and Executives from our participating Business Units. This relationship consists of monthly meetings, the mentor serving as an internal champion for the business to be included on bid lists, and the Rising Contractor receiving guidance on day-to-day matters pertaining to construction project management.
Program Evolves Due to Increased Participation
The Rising Contractor Program is an excellent opportunity for DOSBs to take the next step in growing their business in order to take on larger, more complex projects. Our training focuses on the business management aspect of construction, particularly how to work with a construction management company such as Gilbane and the intricacies of large-scale project management.
Over the past year, we have shown further commitment to the program by:
- Hiring a full-time program manager
- Transitioning the program from eight sessions that were held twice a year to an annual 12-week cohort format running from January to April
- Working with internal subject matter experts and external partners to revamp the curriculum based on feedback that we have received after successfully graduating five cohorts
- Adding additional topics to be covered throughout the program, including sustainability and innovation, a full session on safety, and change management
This new program structure will better serve Rising Contractors by taking them through the full process of engaging with Gilbane, prequalifying, winning work, and managing that work in the field. We are also revamping our business development session to provide skills in marketing and how to better hone personal brands to attract future business.
Rising Contractor Program Graduates See Lasting Impact on Business
One of our standout Rising Contractors has been Imbutec of Carnegie, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the Spring 2021 cohort, they were awarded a $16 million electrical scope contract with Gilbane on the 3,500-seat University of Pittsburgh Arena & Sports Performance Complex project. CEO Richard Taylor shares his success with the program:
“It’s positioned us very well for this work and other opportunities. Having a $16 million self-performing electrical scope is transformational for our business. It’s the largest self-perform work that we’ve ever been awarded.”
“My experience in the Gilbane program is they’re bringing you into the family. There’s an intentional focus to build a long-term relationship, and that’s really a difference maker.”
Get Involved with the 2024 Cohort
The application for the 2024 Rising Contractors Program is now open! We encourage trade contractors to apply for the program, particularly those in participating regions at the following Gilbane Business Units: New York City, Albany, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Cleveland, Columbus, Chicago, Raleigh, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Boca Raton, and Orlando. The ideal applicant will self-perform a trade and should be in a space where they are looking to grow their business management skills to broaden their portfolio of clients while looking to take on more complex projects.
We look for contractors who can commit to the entire 12-week curriculum and use the skills and connections made through program participation to maximize impact on their business. More information on program eligibility and the 2024 application can be found here.
