Bridging the Gap
“The World of Civil Engineering: Types of Bridges” is a LEGO IDEAS fan design focusing on seven examples of bridges. The display set includes tied-arch, cable-stayed, truss, cantilever, beam, suspension and arch bridges. The builds can be disconnected from each other to be displayed separately and two parts (both the cable-stayed bridge and a crane) can be rotated 360°. 1,602 parts comprise the set.
The models, created by German artist MOCingbird, are meant to appreciate the contributions to society made by architecture, engineering and construction, and the kit also includes both male and female figures to demonstrate diversity in the field.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/bdvxk9yt to support the initiative and ensure the designs come to fruition. As of presstime, the design is in fourth place for consideration to be put into production by LEGO.
Congress Sees the Light
Daylight Savings Time will be made permanent as of November 2023 if a proposal that passed the Senate on March 15, titled the Sunshine Protection Act, makes it through the House of Representatives. When signed and enacted, it will mean that Americans will never again lose an hour of afternoon daylight in the fall and winter, enabling children to play safely outdoors for longer and reducing seasonal depression.
University of Cincinnati Overall Winner at CMC
The 2022 ABC Construction Management Competition took place at Associated Builders and Contractors’ conference in San Antonio in March. The overall winners were Colorado State University (first place), University of Florida (second place) and Clemson University (third place). Student chapter of the year was awarded to University of Cincinnati.
Here is the full list of winners:
ESTIMATING
1. Florida International University
2. Colorado State University
3. Clemson State University
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1. Colorado State University
2. Florida International University
3. University of Central Florida
QUALITY CONTROL
1. Clemson University
2. Colorado State University
3. University of Florida
SAFETY
1. Florida International University
2. University of Florida
3. Colorado State University
Construction Industry Experiences Growth
The construction industry has been ranked No. 3 in volume of business applications and No. 10 overall in Swyft Filings’ fourth annual “State of Swyft Industry Report.” Data from more than 63,000 new businesses nationwide was analyzed. Despite significant growth in 2021, the industry ranked lower than in the prior year, which saw 96.28% year-over-year growth in business filings. 2021 was likely a slower year for construction due to persistent labor shortages, high materials prices and supply chain issues.
Be on the Cutting Edge With Hiring Tech
Adding technology to your hiring techniques can help your business, says an annual global trends report from HireVue. Of 1,600 respondents, those companies that adopted technical hiring solutions report:
- Greater flexibility (54%)
- Time-saving benefits (54%)
- Easier to identify the best candidates (43%)
- Significant cost savings (42%)
Further, those companies who experience hiring success are more likely to make other changes.
- 57% of respondents introduced job-matching technologies to recruit both externally and internally.
- 37% shifted to a combination of both in-person and virtual interviews.
- 24% implemented technologies such as AI, chatbots and skills assessments.
The report also found that technology encourages diverse hiring practices (rather than hiring based on biased, “gut” decisions). Some of the changes implemented include:
- Adopting a skills-first approach (45%)
- Replacing resumes with skills-based assessments (33%)
- Dropping college degree requirements (16%)
- Prioritizing certification, rather than excluding candidates without degrees (18%)
- Sourcing qualified candidates from marginalized and overlooked work groups, including mature-aged workers (47%), undergrad workers (44%). and junior workers (38%)
The full“2022 Global Trends Report” can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/2p8mpjrx.
