The workforce of tomorrow is built on the inspiration we provide today. To help pave the way for the next generation of skilled tradespeople, the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry is proud to announce its support and financial contribution toward the 2026 Construction Career Days.
Hosted by the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI), these highly anticipated annual events serve as a critical bridge between youth and the vast career pathways available in the trade skills environment.
Bridging the Gap for Tomorrow’s Workforce
MCCEI is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources, education and workforce development solutions that uplift individuals from all backgrounds. Their annual Construction Career Days are a masterclass in workforce engagement, bringing together students, educators and industry leaders across Maryland.
With over 1,000 eager attendees expected at each site, this initiative offers a dynamic environment where students can move past textbooks and experience the trades firsthand through interactive, practical demonstrations.
2026 Dates and Locations
Baltimore Area: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Baltimore Ravens Stadium
Frederick Area: Thursday, October 22, 2026, Frederick Keys Stadium
Why This Investment Matters
For the wall and ceiling industry, supporting initiatives like MCCEI’s Construction Career Days is vital for long-term growth and workforce sustainability. By introducing high school students to technical careers early on, the industry can actively address the skilled labor shortage while showcasing the modern, lucrative and fulfilling careers available in construction.
The Foundation’s donation directly helps fund the resources, logistics and educational materials needed to make these three regional events a success, ensuring that students leave with a clear understanding of how to take their next steps into the trades.
Learn More
To find more details about these events or to see how you can get involved with workforce development in the built environment, visit the official MCCEI Get Involved page (www.mccei.org/get-involved).
Megaprojects Fuel 34% Surge in Total Construction Starts for May
Total U.S. construction starts saw a significant jump in May 2026, rising 34.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.78 trillion.
According to the Dodge Construction Network, this surge was primarily driven by several massive “megaprojects” in sectors like manufacturing, utilities and data centers.
Sector Performance
The overall growth was uneven across different areas of the industry:
- Non-building Construction (+91.9%): The strongest performer, boosted by triple-digit growth in highway, bridge and utility projects.
- Non-residential building (+17.8%): Driven by significant gains in manufacturing (up 116.1%) and health-care construction (up 138.8%).
- Residential building (-2.1%): The only major sector to see a decline, with both single-family and multifamily starts falling over the month.
Key Megaprojects
Several large-scale developments that broke ground in May contributed heavily to these figures:
- Non-building: A $13.5 billion LNG export facility in Louisiana and the $4.1 billion Brent Spence Bridge project in Ohio.
- Manufacturing: The $5 billion Rivian electric vehicle plant in Georgia
- Data centers: The $3 billion Nebius data center in Alabama.
Broader Context
While the monthly numbers were strong, the overall picture remains mixed. On a year-to-date basis, total construction starts are up 12.7%, but residential construction is down 4.9% for that same period. Regionally, construction starts rose in every area of the United States except for the Midwest, which experienced an 8.4% decline.
Colorado Passes Retainage Reform, Defeats Burdensome Safety Bill
Subcontractors in Colorado are celebrating a major advocacy victory following the conclusion of the Colorado General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session. Two high-stakes bills came to a head, resulting in a dual victory for the construction community: the signing of vital retainage reform and the defeat of a highly punitive safety mandate.
Here is what wall and ceiling contractors need to know about these critical legislative updates:
HB26-1311: Retainage Reform Is Now Law
In a major win for subcontractor cash flow, HB26-1311 (Retainage Surety Bond Construction Contracts) has been signed into law.
What it does: The legislation authorizes contractors and subcontractors to utilize a retainage surety bond in lieu of having cash retainage withheld on qualifying projects.
Why it matters for AWCI members: Wall and ceiling contractors frequently carry massive upfront labor and material costs, only to wait months or years for retained funds to be released. This law modernizes payment practices, giving subcontractors the liquidity needed to fund payroll, purchase equipment, and invest in workforce development, all while ensuring project owners remain fully protected.
“Colorado HB26-1311 improves important protections while improving cash flow and reducing project risk across the construction chain.” Travis Vap, South Valley, AWCI past president.
HB26-1054: Punitive Safety Bill Defeated
In addition to securing payment reform, the subcontracting community successfully advocated for the defeat of HB26-1054.
The issue: While the wall and ceiling industry remains fiercely committed to zero-injury jobsites and rigid safety standards, HB26-1054 was a misguided approach. Rather than collaborating on practical safety measures, the bill relied heavily on punitive measures.
The impact of the defeat: Had it passed, the bill would have exposed trade contractors to immense administrative burdens, skyrocketing compliance costs, and expanded litigation liabilities. Its defeat protects smaller, specialized trade businesses already navigating material inflation and severe labor shortages.
The Bottom Line
These outcomes demonstrate the power of industry advocacy. By replacing restrictive cash withholding with flexible bonding alternatives and stopping over-regulation in its tracks, Colorado has established a fairer, more sustainable economic environment for subcontractors.
OSHA Launches “OSHA Cares” Initiative
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has officially launched OSHA Cares, a new agency-wide initiative designed to shift the agency’s relationship with businesses from strictly punitive to more collaborative. The program specifically targets small and medium-sized employers, offering increased access to agency experts and compliance assistance specialists to help businesses meet federal safety standards without fear of immediate penalties.
What This Means for AWCI Members
For wall and ceiling contractors, this initiative signals a strategic effort by federal OSHA to become more approachable. Instead of relying solely on enforcement, the agency is actively encouraging construction employers to reach out for proactive guidance in building and strengthening their internal safety and health programs.
Key Highlights of the Initiative Include:
- Real-Time Assistance During Inspections: OSHA’s directorate of Enforcement Programs is deploying a new training standard for its compliance officers (CSHOs). Moving forward, field inspectors will be trained to offer real-time compliance assistance and helpful safety guidance directly on-site during active inspections and enforcement visits.
- Expanded Small Business Resources: The program will provide easier access to educational materials, training resources, and direct communication with OSHA experts to help small-to-midsize subcontractors navigate complex jobsite hazards.
- The “Safety Champions” Program: Tied closely to this launch, OSHA is promoting its newly structured Safety Champions Program. This tiered program (Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced) helps contractors incrementally develop and evaluate their safety programs using seven core pillars, including management leadership, worker participation, and hazard identification.
- A New Workplace Poster: As part of the initiative, OSHA has released an updated, modernized version of the mandatory workplace safety poster. The new design features messaging aimed at fostering a collaborative approach between employers and craft workers to resolve jobsite safety concerns together.
The Bottom Line
AWCI members are encouraged to take advantage of these expanded compliance resources. By proactively utilizing OSHA’s compliance assistance specialists and the voluntary Safety Champions framework, wall and ceiling contractors can better safeguard their crews, improve jobsite safety cultures, and mitigate risk before an enforcement scenario occurs.
To learn more about the initiative or to access compliance assistance tools, visit the official page at www.OSHA.gov.
