REA Final - 22 Dec 20 - eBook - 1682 pages

HelpingAmerica’s small businesses succeed In NewYork City, Spearhead Construction has benefited from knowledge gained through Skanska’s training program for US small businesses.

In the USA, Skanska provides training to help small companies owned by women and ethnic minorities compete forbusiness,toincreasediversityamong subcontractors. After a successful career that included combat service in the U.S. Army, in 2016 Andee Hidalgo transferred her “mission- focused” leadership skills to a new environ- ment by founding Spearhead Construction. AndeereflectsonSkanska’sBuildingBlocks training program and her journey of starting and growing her company, which now has about ten direct employees and approxi- mately 65 Union carpenters. “Skanska’s Building Blocks training pro- gram is a great opportunity to learn more about the complexities of major building projects. Over two months, experts from Skanska and other organizations shared

important project information, including payment systems, building information modelling (BIM) and, of course, safety,” says Andee. Her company, which provides interior construction services, is now working with Skanska on major New York projects such as redeveloping LaGuardiaAirport’s Terminal B. At LaGuardia, USD 684 million of the construction must be sub- contracted to minority or women-owned small businesses. “Building Blocks prepared our com- pany to contribute to iconic projects like LaGuardia. If there is a better program out there, I’ve yet to find it. At LaGuardia, Skanska developed favorable labor pro- visions that leveled the playing field for younger businesses likemine.Also, I am grateful for the mentorship by Skanska

personnel, which has enabled our com- pany to take on greater opportunities with confidence,” says Andee. “We are focused on building a company, not chasing projects, which requires a more disciplined methodology. Spear- head’s process is wholly inspired by Skanska’sapproach for selecting projects and clients. As a result, we are adding sought after projects to our portfolio, we are adding talent to our roster and we are executing on our commitments at a high level,” saysAndee. By providing education and support, and by structuring work packages suitable for smaller or younger firms, Skanska bolsters the Group’s supply chain. This improves Skanska’s ability to be competitive while strengthening the industry and society.

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Skanska Annual and Sustainability Report 2019