Providing a Pathway for Minorities to Succeed in the Construction Industry
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, Non-Hispanic Blacks held 5.1% of construction jobs, compared with their 11.8-percent share of total employment. Recent information from Zippia highlights that 6.2% of all construction workers are women, while 93.8% are men. The most common ethnicity of construction workers is White (58.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (24.5%) and Black or African American (10.7%).
Though this sector lags behind other industries when it comes to diversity, more construction companies are being proactive to further their strategies for increased inclusion, as a more diverse workplace surges employee productivity, satisfaction, and performance.
To help drive more diversity in this field, Tellepsen and Texas Southern University (TSU) have formed a new partnership agreement focused on positively impacting the success of TSU students who are focused on career pathways in the construction industry.
Tellepsen is a full-service construction company with a timeless commitment to building for future generations. They are a family of companies powered by decades of experience in solving the toughest challenges across market sectors. Tellepsen is passionate about creating a safe environment where anyone can do their best work, succeed in their career, and have a positive impact on others. As Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country, Tellepsen believes its company should strive to reflect that diversity.
“Together with Tellepsen, we will transform lives,” said TSU president Lesia L. Crumpton-Young. “A partnership done well is a win for our students, the companies that partner with us, and most importantly for the University’s mission of transforming lives. We look forward to the ways in which this partnership will prepare our students to succeed in careers in the construction industry and beyond.”
The agreement is a multifaceted five-year strategic partnership between Tellepsen and TSU. It is designed to support the entire student experience in four distinct areas: experts in action, facilities and equipment, internships, and student financial support.
“I’m so proud of TSU and I’m proud of Tellepsen,” said CEO Tadd Tellepsen. “We are both Houston’s hometown teams. Tellepsen has a tradition of giving back to the community for over 100 years. We have been cornerstones of this community and now we’re going to do it as a partnership. We want the best and brightest from Houston. And if they come from TSU, they’re coming from Houston’s hometown team.”
Tellepsen will work in partnership with TSU’s College of Science, Engineering, and Technology along with the Division of Research and Innovation to ensure instructional equipment software and materials are representative of those used in the industry. It will also aggressively recruit TSU students to participate in its internship program, and much more. This is a five-year partnership with an estimated value of $500,000.
This partnership propelling more diversity in construction will hopefully encourage other construction companies to follow suit. Tellepsen and Texas Southern University working together will open doors for the next generation and underrepresented to succeed in their respective careers in the construction industry.
For more information, please visit www.TSU.edu and www.Tellepsen.com.
