U.S. Department of Labor officials gathered with workers, union representatives and labor organizers from a range of industries to discuss the value of building relationships and collaborating on ideas to address workers’ concerns at its Workers’ Voice Summit on Sept. 27-29.

BACnet International President and Managing Director Andy McMillan has authored the foreword for a new handbook published by Softdel. Titled “Digital Transformation Led Innovation in Smart Buildings,” the handbook covers how the BACnet protocol is driving this transformation in the buildings industry.

Walls & Ceilings will be naming its Contractor of 2022 this December. Stay tuned as we’ll release the information on who this lucky contractor is in early December.

The UP Companies proudly announces the promotion of Josh Knaust from Estimator to the role of Preconstruction Manager at Square UP Builders.

The Metal Construction Association is proud to announce the launch of the 2022-2023 Metal Architecture Academy. Part of Architectural Record’s Continuing Education Center, the new academy is comprised of eight courses including an on-demand webinar, a multi-media course and six written courses.

Construction employment increased in 246, or 69 percent, of 358 metro areas between August 2021 and August 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. But association officials noted the job gains likely would have been higher if firms could find more qualified people to hire and train.

Lafarge SA, the massive French cement construction company, has been exposed to have made millions of dollars of payments that supported ISIS and another terrorist cell to continue the manufacturer’s operations in Syria as a civil war escalated, according to various news outlets.

Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley has named Annie Kao, Simpson Strong-Tie Vice President of Engineering, to its Board of Directors for the term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024. As a board member, Kao will contribute her expertise to advocate for the building of safe and sustainable housing.

The Department of Labor published a final rule on Sept. 26 to rescind Trump-era Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs that marks the end of a four-year fight by SWACCA’s public policy team in Washington, D.C. This final rule will be effective on Nov. 25.

The National Institute of Building Sciences recognized built environment leaders and scholarship recipients on Sept. 28 during an awards ceremony at Building Innovation 2022.