The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship on Jan. 12, 2023, focused on youth apprenticeship and finalizing the priorities for the upcoming year. Specific agenda items include remarks from ETA leadership and other apprenticeship stakeholders, a youth apprenticeship panel, insights regarding youth apprenticeship site visits, subcommittee reports regarding the “Strategic Framework” and “Year Two Focus,” and public comments.

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction continued rising at a double-digit rate in November from a year earlier, propelled by outsized increases in the cost of a variety of building materials, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released Dec. 9. Association officials noted that contractors are having to pay more both for materials and for the subcontractor services they need to finish most projects.

MFM Building Products has recently finished a substantial expansion project that began in February 2021.

As everyone looks to the new year ahead and the trends that will define it, we’ve noticed one comprehensive theme across the interiors spectrum, that of Sophisticated Restraint.

On Dec. 8, GMS Inc. reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended Oct. 31, 2022.

The Marcum Commercial Construction Index for the third quarter of 2022 reports that the construction industry remains constrained by labor shortages and elevated materials prices, but now also faces a rapidly deteriorating economic outlook and severely elevated borrowing costs. While some construction segments retain momentum, there are signs that broader economic weakness have begun to drag on the industry.

Portland Cement Association is proud to announce new leadership for its Board of Directors after holding elections Dec. 6 at its Fall Board meeting.

The Associated General Contractors of America released a series of video public service ads Dec. 6 that feature real industry professionals who have felt the impact of suffering with mental health issues while trying to maintain the normalcy of day-to-day life and work. These videos are part of the association’s ongoing efforts to combat high suicide rates and improve mental health among the industry’s workers.

The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute is accepting entries through Feb. 24, 2023, for its annual awards program, which acknowledges outstanding achievement in creative design, technical innovation and best practices in the use of cold-formed steel and recognizes individuals who have volunteered significant time and talent to the cold-formed steel industry. The 2023 CFSEI awards will be presented in three categories: Design Excellence, Creative Detail and the John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service.

DuPont announced on Dec. 6 an expanded partnership with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves communities before, during and after disasters and crises. This deeper partnership includes donations of Tyvek protective apparel, personal protective equipment applications training and educational support, safety-oriented content for their website, access to safety personnel, potential volunteers and awareness-building inside and outside of DuPont.