A recent audit of Washington, D.C.’s First Source mandate that requires local workers be given employment preference on construction projects funded with tax dollars shows that the requirement is not being met.
According to a report in the Washington Times, contractors and developers are not meeting program guidelines, and that the Department of Employment Services (DOES) is not making sure that companies are in compliance. Companies constructing projects of $300,000 to $5 million are required to hire 51% local residents.
On projects valued at more than $5 million, contractors must meet a higher percentage of local workers in multiple categories. Construction industry groups say the program paperwork is too burdensome. They also contend there is a shortage of skilled workers within the District.
Lack of affordable housing is forcing the First Source-qualified employees that once lived in D.C. to move to the suburbs, contractors say.
Related Stories
| Jun 28, 2012
Top building material executive urges building resilience in sustainability standards
A meeting of 1,000 business executives at the recent Rio+20 environmental conference featured a passionate plea to include building resilience in efforts to boost sustainability.
| Jun 28, 2012
Following spate of skyscraper balcony glass panel breakages, Ontario adopts code change
Ontario's housing minister announced new building code rules to help prevent glass panels from breaking off high-rise balconies during hot weather.
| Jun 28, 2012
Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes
Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.
| Jun 21, 2012
Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba
Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.
| Jun 21, 2012
New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete
A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.
| Jun 21, 2012
On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance
The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.
