Bridges to Betterment

Turner’s team in San Antonio is gearing up for another year of Bridges to Betterment, a workforce development program that provides eight weeks of paid training in construction management and skilled trades and guarantees full-time employment—with Turner or our participating trade partners—to folks who successfully complete the program and earn their certifications.

First launched in partnership with a big tech client, the program aims to bridge the gap between people who want to develop their skills and find stable work and firms like ours that need a substantial pool of qualified workers to engage on our projects.

“We don’t look for people with a construction or skilled trade background,” said Marques Mitchell, who helps administer and oversee the Bridges program in addition to managing business development for the San Antonio office. “We cast a wide recruitment net through the local arms of national organizations like Goodwill and the United Way, and we partner with smaller, local organizations like Greater SATX, to help put the word out and provide a pipeline of candidates for the program.”

The result of such broad recruitment is a diverse cohort of participants who recognize the value of the opportunity, which includes four weeks of classroom training and certification exam prep, followed by four weeks of on-the-job learning with our trade partners—all of which is paid.

“Many of the people we spoke to during the recruitment process didn’t even believe us when we told them we’d pay for their training, much less the personal protective equipment they need to do the job,” said Marques. “We didn’t want anyone to be unable to participate because they couldn’t afford steel-toed boots, for example.” He added that the program also helps participants with transportation costs and provides breakfast and lunch throughout the process. “The way the program is structured and resourced means people can afford to do it. I’ve heard again and again from people that there isn’t another opportunity like this, and that they couldn’t do it without that financial support.”

Reflecting broadly on the program, Marques also noted that Bridges wouldn’t happen without the engagement of our own partners, including the University of Texas at San Antonio and the veteran-owned I.C.C.S. Academy, who provide the in-classroom training and certification prep/testing, our local self-perform division and trade partners who apprentice and ultimately hire participants, and of course, our clients. “Turner is really walking the walk by leading the program,” he said. “A lot of companies give money. Or they may say oh, ‘we’re involved in the community,’ but what does that really mean? In this case it’s very clear that we are making a direct impact in the lives of individuals.”