Governor Signs Executive Order to Boost Diversity in Construction Workforce

11:54AM / Sunday, January 12, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey has signed an Executive Order aimed at increasing the participation of women and historically underrepresented groups in the construction industry.

The signing took place at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 Training Center with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Labor & Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, union leaders, and apprentices in attendance.

This initiative builds on efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration, led by Secretary Raimondo, to expand access to quality construction jobs for underrepresented groups, including women, veterans, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ workers. Women currently make up only 11 percent of the construction workforce and just 4 percent of trade occupations.

"Here in Massachusetts, we know that we get the best results when our workforce reflects the rich diversity of the people of our state," said Governor Healey. "The construction industry offers good-paying jobs and benefits that sustain families, and it’s important that we increase access to this field for women and historically underrepresented groups. Not only is it good for these workers and their families, but it’s also good for our employers and our economy as a whole."

The Executive Order establishes a Diverse and Equitable Construction Workforce Participation Committee, which will facilitate interagency collaboration, identify best practices, and encourage equitable workforce participation. This includes prioritizing registered apprenticeships, hiring local businesses with a record of diversity, and supporting contractors offering services like childcare. The Committee will also work on data collection to measure the participation of women and underrepresented groups.

Additionally, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) is forming Access and Opportunity Committees (AOCs) to improve diversity in construction projects. All DCAMM projects with an estimated construction cost over $35 million will be required to participate in these committees, which will track workforce participation and expand opportunities for underrepresented groups.

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Neal Tours Berkshire Innovation Center as Pittsfield's Tech Economy Grows

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:38PM / Thursday, October 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Congressman Richard Neal visited the Berkshire Innovation Center Thursday to highlight $735,000 in federal funding secured for a new cybersecurity training and testing facility.

"The number one job of the federal government is to provide for the security of its people. I mean, we should never lose sight of that, whether it's China or Russia, every single day there are these belligerents that are attempting to infiltrate national security here in the United States, and we should not be naive about it," Neal said. "I mean, we can have an argument about proportionality; we can do a lot of different things, but not to miss the point of what they're trying to do every day."

The new cybersecurity facility will provide regional manufacturers and businesses with research and design equipment, specialized lab space, and training facilities and is planned to be housed in a to-be-redeveloped space across the street from the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), located at 45 Woodlawn Ave.

The derelict property, formerly owned by General Electric, is now known as the William Stanley Business Park.

The project is a $7.2 million dollar investment from the state, $5.2 million from the tech collaborative, $2 million from bond funding secured by Neal, and $1 million that will be split into two phases: $500,000 for BIC to begin building and $500,000 for Myrias Optics to start production in Pittsfield, said Mayor Peter Marchetti.

BIC Executive Director Ben Sosne said manufacturers often highlight the need for help with cybersecurity, particularly in meeting the security requirements necessary to conduct business with General Dynamics and other major contractors.

Collaborators in the field and the public sector have recognized the need that has only grown since technology has advanced and is a great career opportunity, Sosne said.

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