Heavy civil contractors across North America are desperate for talent, but many wait until high school graduation to start recruiting. Amy Henningfield, Director of Workforce Development at Superior Construction, argues the industry doesn't have a labor shortage - it has a visibility shortage. By the time students reach their senior year, they have often been told construction is a "dirty" fallback plan for those who can't make it in college.

Superior Construction breaks this cycle by reaching kids in middle school and exposing young women to heavy equipment early. Amy explains why treating people like high-value infrastructure - using preventative maintenance and mentorship - is the only way to secure the industry's future. By showing students technology like drones and VR, contractors can replace outdated stereotypes with a high-tech career path.

🎯 BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [4:10]:

"It’s not just a workforce shortage, but again, it’s a visibility shortage. Getting people in the workforce doesn’t happen when you fill out an application. We have to bring awareness to it."

🎯 OTHER KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

⚠️ PIPELINE RISK [9:40]:

Amy explains why human assets matter more than iron for long-term survival.

"You can buy another piece of equipment, but you can’t buy that generation of skilled workers. We have to invest in those people."

✨ GROWTH OPPORTUNITY [25:52]:

Paychecks don't stop turnover. Amy highlights how genuine support and inclusion build loyalty.

"Recruiting will get them here, but I think what our leadership does is what will keep them here. You have to give them a reason to stay. You’ve got to believe in them."

⚡ PERSONAL BREAKTHROUGH [33:55]:

Shrinking to fit in sabotages potential. Amy discusses the power of authenticity in a male-dominated field.

"Just be you. Don't change for anyone. There are so many opportunities out there for women in construction… just believe in yourself."

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - How Amy Found Her Purpose in Construction

02:24 - Solving the Construction Labor Shortage Through Visibility

05:08 - Workforce Development Ideas Every Contractor Can Use

08:44 - Why Investing in People Drives Long-Term Success

12:54 - How Girls’ Construction Camps Inspire Future Tradeswomen

18:06 - Recruiting the Next Generation of Construction Talent

25:08 - How to Build a Culture That Retains Great Employees

28:36 - Why Mentorship Creates Future Construction Leaders

34:24 - Why Construction Is a Career Full of Opportunity

39:58 - How EmpowerHER Is Changing the Future of Construction

CONEXPO-CON/AGG: CONEXPOCONAGG.com

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOCONAGG.com/industry-news#sign-up

🔗 CONNECT WITH AMY HENNINGFIELD & SUPERIOR CONSTRUCTION:

• Amy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhenningfieldmba/

• Superior’s Website: https://superiorconstruction.com/

• Superior Women in Construction (SWIC):

https://www.superiorconstruction.com/our-company/superior-women-in-construction-swic/

#ConstructionWorkforce #WomenInConstruction #WorkforceDevelopment

Geoff Dodge chased an Indy racing dream until a lost backer left him $100,000 in debt. Rebuilding with just $1,000, he bootstrapped Lamb Excavating to handle the tough utility work others avoid. Now back in a sprint car, Geoff uses racing as a platform to promote the trades through his "Racing to Build Brighter Futures" mission.

Taylor talks with Geoff about treating the trades as a calling. They discuss Geoff’s work launching Indiana’s SkillsUSA Heavy Equipment pathway and a new partnership with Indiana 811, Ohio 811 and the IURC to improve underground safety training. Geoff’s playbook for the youth is clear: find an interest, get a foot in the door, and let your work, not a degree, prove your worth. Success here is about hard work and creative problem-solving.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

🏎️ FROM THE SPEEDWAY TO THE SEWER LINE [00:43]:

How does a driver who reached the pinnacle of Indy racing pivot to utility work, and then use that business to rebuild his racing dream?

“Geoff is a racer who became an excavator who became a racer again... he's basically using a sprint car as a billboard for the next generation of operators and diesel techs.”

⚠️ ELEVATING STANDARDS THROUGH EDUCATION [26:13]:

Can a half-hour of the right training really transform how safely the next generation digs?

“So this year we conducted a 30 minute training the day before the event and we saw our high score jump to an 85% and the median score moved about 10%.”

🛠️ A CALL TO ACTION FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS [46:51]:

Geoff issues a direct challenge to everyone in the industry—from manufacturers to contractors—to move beyond complaining and start taking action to recruit the next generation.

“If you are in our industry and you are listening to this... you can probably see that the skilled trade gap is a problem. Get involved, get your hands dirty.”

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - From Race Car Driver to Excavation Business Owner

04:10 - How Geoff Built a Successful Excavation Company

07:35 - Why the Skilled Trades Need More Young Talent

12:27 - Using Racing to Inspire the Next Generation

19:11 - How SkillsUSA Is Preparing Future Heavy Equipment Operators

25:27 - Why Safety Training Is Transforming the Construction Industry

28:51 - Do You Really Need a College Degree to Succeed?

34:54 - Why Skilled Trades Offer Unlimited Career Growth

38:15 - The Future of Closing the Skilled Trades Gap

46:16 - How the Construction Industry Can Get Involved

CONEXPO-CON/AGG: CONEXPOconagg.com

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

🔗 CONNECT WITH GEOFF DODGE:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-dodge-4515156a/
• Geoff Dodge Racing: https://www.geoffdodgeracing.com/
• Lamb Excavating: https://www.wedigindy.com/

#SkilledTrades #RacingtoBuildBrighterFutures #SkillsUSA

Brian Hayden runs heavy equipment in Wells, Maine, where he works for Hayden Excavating with his father. While most local operators never test their skills on a world stage, Brian entered the 2026 Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge to see if he was truly good. In the end, he beat all other finalists from the Americas, Europe, and Asia at CONEXPO in Las Vegas.

He explains the way he won the loader and dozer grading challenges, and shares how 3D grading and Leica systems save time on residential home digs. Listen in and learn how a small family business produced the best operator in the world.

KEY EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

🏆 THE SURPRISE CHAMPION MINDSET [03:17]:

"Every time I progress, I'm like, ‘This is when I'm gonna get knocked out. Like, there's no way I make it through here.’"

Brian felt like an underdog during the entire Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge. He shares how staying humble and focused on the dirt helped him win the world title.

⚠️ THE REPUTATION KILLER [09:39]:

"A good operator is somebody that also takes care of their equipment… I look at that as somebody that you know they care. So, their work is going to, you know, reflect that."

Messy job sites and dirty machines scare away high-paying clients. Brian explains why a clean cab and neat piles are the mark of a pro.

🏗️ THE ONE-MAN PROFIT MACHINE [25:53]:

"I built that whole pond, the whole road, all the ditching, all of it without getting out of the machine."

Watch Brian reveal how 3D grading tools allow one operator to finish work that used to require a full crew. He explains why tech like Leica is the way to scale a small excavating business.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - CAT Global Operator Champion

01:26 - Road to the World Finals

03:37 - Hayden Excavating History

09:08 - Pro vs Amateur Operators

10:59 - Excavator Skill Challenge

15:12 - Dozer Grading Techniques

20:52 - Global Operating Styles

24:19 - 3D Machine Control Setup

27:41 - GPS Site Layout Benefits

31:16 - Defending the World Title

CONEXPO-CON/AGG: CONEXPOconagg.com

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

🔗 CONNECT WITH BRIAN HAYDEN:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hayden-54733aa8/
• Hayden Excavating: https://www.haydenexcavating.net/

#Caterpillar #OperatorChallenge #CONEXPO