At Venture, we believe that true corporate responsibility extends beyond our office walls. It encompasses our duty to enhance diversity within our organization, at our job sites, and throughout our communities. We are committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workforce by contributing to organizations such as ConstructDiversity, ANEW, YouthBuild, and the PACT program at Seattle Central College.
Venture has an annual goal for contract awards to diverse subcontractors and suppliers of 15%
This has steadily grown over the years from 5% in 2018 to achieving 18% for the last three years. We are taking extra steps to maximize the opportunities for diverse suppliers by dividing scope packages and reaching out to diverse suppliers to get pre-approved to work for Venture.
Our work with the following diversity and pre-apprenticeship programs in 2023 focused on providing training and mentoring to BIPOC communities and raising awareness on opportunities available to them in construction.
Our goal is to introduce a diverse, young group of people to careers available for them in construction.
Venture is a founding member of ConstructDiversity, a group of like-minded companies and individuals committed to bringing a higher level of racial and gender diversity to construction and related businesses.
Through this program, Venture staff adopts a student for two hours once a week with students rotating through every month. Our goal is to introduce inner city students to all of the career opportunities that are available to them in construction. This includes everything from project management and field operations to accounting, safety and business development, as well as trades and fabrication.
ANEW was founded in 1980 by people dedicated to improving the access and advancement of women in non-traditional career pathways such as construction and manufacturing. ANEW continues to focus on equity and inclusion in the construction industry for both women and people of color.
Venture Highlights
• Hired 2 Women/BIPOC graduates of ANEW in 2023
• Hosted 3 job walks in 2023 with 15-20 students where we provided training opportunities
• Sponsor / attend career fairs
• Committed to donating $30K over 3 years
YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership. At more than 280 YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world, students reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities. YouthBuild offers a 6-month program for people ages 18-24 who have an interest in construction trades and earning a GED.
Venture Highlights
• Hosted 3 job walks in 2023 and volunteered at their South Seattle College campus
The Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT) Certificate program offered by Seattle Central College is a formally recognized apprenticeship preparation program. PACT provides educational and hands-on training opportunities for college students from diverse backgrounds to help start their journey in construction.
Venture Highlights
• Hosted a jobsite training for their students through PACT