Answer extracted from the The Think Small Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What operational priorities is ABC Eastern PA pursuing to strengthen its position as the trusted voice for construction in Eastern Pennsylvania?
In her first year as CEO, Marissa Bankert has focused on building operational excellence and organizational capacity to support the next growth phase. ABC Eastern PA is ramping up apprenticeship programs to solve critical workforce pipeline issues, expanding pre-apprenticeship pathways to bring workers from other industries, and intensifying safety culture as a core value for its members across the 17-county region.
Solving the workforce pipeline through expanded apprenticeships
The construction industry faces a well-documented shortage of skilled labor, with hundreds of thousands of jobs remaining open nationwide. ABC Eastern PA is addressing this directly through registered apprenticeship programs in partnership with the State of Pennsylvania. These programs provide both technical education and business development training, what Bankert describes as education "from apprenticeship to ownership."
Beyond traditional apprenticeships, the organization is opening pre-apprenticeship pathways designed to attract workers from adjacent industries and career changers. This dual approach recognizes that the construction sector must cast a wider net to meet current demand and position the industry for sustainable growth.
Safety and culture as member values
Operational priorities at ABC Eastern PA also emphasize deepening safety culture as a core organizational value. For Bankert, this reflects a broader commitment to elevating the construction profession itself—not just training workers, but shaping an industry culture that prioritizes worker wellbeing and professional standards across all 17 counties the organization serves.
"Construction really is the foundation of our nation. Whether you're a laborer or a CEO, you're all helping to weave that fabric that we all walk upon every single day."
Marissa Bankert — President & CEO, Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern Pennsylvania. Bankert has built her career in association management, beginning as a membership director in the realtors sector before moving into construction as an executive director for independent electrical contractors. Now in her second year leading ABC Eastern PA, she brings hands-on experience in mentorship, volunteer board leadership, and a personal mission to position construction as essential infrastructure.
For a deeper look at how the construction industry is navigating labor market challenges and specific strategies Bankert is deploying to attract the next generation of workers, listen to the full episode on Listenly.
See also
How are construction labor market challenges being addressed through wage realignment in the industry?
Construction industry peers are resetting wage standards as a means to attract talent and fill hundreds of thousands of open jobs nationwide. Rather than competing purely on price, the industry is prioritizing competitive compensation to draw skilled workers into the pipeline.
What sectors are driving construction growth in Eastern Pennsylvania through 2026 and beyond?
Data centers are a major driver, with Pennsylvania recently publishing new guidelines welcoming this construction type. Life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing projects are also fueling significant construction activity in the region.
What strategies help construction contractors navigate rapid growth and business expansion?
Bankert emphasizes the importance of coaching resources where business owners can develop plans to manage rapid growth, and peer groups where contractors share challenges and solutions across the ABC network.
Key takeaways
- ABC Eastern PA is ramping up registered apprenticeship programs with the State of Pennsylvania to address workforce shortages and provide pathways from entry-level to business ownership.
- Pre-apprenticeship programs are expanding to attract workers from other industries, broadening the talent pool beyond traditional construction recruitment channels.
- Safety culture is being embedded as a core member value, reflecting a strategic focus on industry professionalism and worker wellbeing across the 17-county service area.
- Operational excellence and organizational capacity building are the foundation for ABC Eastern PA's growth strategy in its next phase of development.