09-05-2013 - Suffolk Construction launches fall Subcontractor Development Series

Suffolk Construction will be launching its second annual Subcontractor Development Series to assist disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned trade subcontractor firms in fostering long-term relationships with Suffolk. Provided at no cost to 30 selected participants, the eight-session program will begin Thursday, September 5th. The series is part of Suffolk's Learning & Development program, which continues to set the industry standard for construction training initiatives. The series will be offered to union and non-union subcontractors that are certified by the Mass. Supplier Diversity Office as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), or Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). Firms must also have been in business for a minimum of two years. "We take great pride in creating equal access and opportunity for quality-driven, experienced subcontractors on all of our projects," said Brian McPherson, director of diversity and workforce compliance at Suffolk Construction. "For our 2012 Subcontractor Development Series, we awarded 35 projects totaling more than $25 million to DBE, MBE, and WBE subcontractors who successfully completed the program, and we look forward to continuing to build effective partnerships with the return of this year's series." "Suffolk's training program has clearly been successful for SDO-certified clients. By increasing the capacity of DBE, MBE and WBE firms partnering with Suffolk Construction as well as other prime contractors in the construction industry, we are changing how business is done in Massachusetts one SDO-certified construction firm at a time," said Reggie Nunnally, executive director of the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office. "We will continue to collaborate with Suffolk to ensure that eligible SDO firms become knowledgeable about the program and work closely with Suffolk to ensure greater participation in both their public and private construction projects." Participants will learn firsthand about Suffolk's construction management procedures and processes, ranging from risk management and safety to estimating and purchasing. This year's program will also feature an additional project management class designed to review Suffolk's innovative, web-based collaboration tools that result in an efficient document management process for all project stakeholders. Each two-hour course will be presented in an interactive format and led by Suffolk executives and local industry experts. Classes will take place every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Suffolk's Conference and Learning Center in Roxbury. Attendance will be mandatory at all eight sessions for each selected subcontractor. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a graduation certificate and have one-on-one access to Suffolk subject matter experts. The application deadline is Friday, August 2 at 5pm EDT. Selected participants will be notified by 5pm EDT on Friday, August 16. All eligible firms are encouraged to apply. Space will be limited. For more information and to apply, visit www.suffolkconstruction.com/subcontractor_development_series.html. Suffolk Construction is one of the most successful privately held building contractors in the country, providing preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the healthcare, science and technology, education, federal government, and commercial sectors.