Research & Industry
Initiatives

Dr. Irish Horsey is a construction workforce strategist, educator, and author whose work focuses on how individuals and organizations navigate participation, advancement, and long-term success in the construction industry.

Workforce performance starts on the jobsite – not in the office.

The construction industry is at a critical inflection point.

As demand continues to grow, the challenge is no longer just attracting talent – it’s building a workforce that performs, stays, and advances.

While the industry has made significant progress in physical safety, the next opportunity is strengthening the conditions that directly impact:

  • Jobsite performance

  • Crew retention

  • Leadership effectiveness

  • Team consistency and communication

Because across projects and organizations, one thing is clear:

Jobsite environment and leadership directly influence safety, productivity, and retention.

This work focuses on helping the industry better understand—and improve – those conditions.

Featured Research Platform –

Construction Sustainable
Workforce Initiative (CSWI)

The Construction Sustainable Workforce Initiative (CSWI) is a developing platform focused on strengthening workforce performance and long-term sustainability across the construction industry.

CSWI is designed to examine the real drivers behind:

  • Workforce retention and turnover

  • Jobsite performance and crew dynamics

  • Leadership impact on project outcomes

  • Career progression within construction

Status:In development
Launch:Forthcoming

This initiative will connect research, industry insight, and practical application—supporting contractors and leaders in building stronger, more stable teams.

RESEARCH PILLAR

JOBSITE CULTURE & WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE

As a core component of CSWI, this work focuses on how jobsite conditions and leadership practices shape workforce outcomes.

Construction has long prioritized managing physical risks. However, everyday jobsite conditions – how crews communicate, how leaders lead, and how teams operate under pressure – also play a critical role in:

  • Performance

  • Safety outcomes

  • Retention

This research brings structure to a challenge widely recognized in the field:

When jobsite conditions are inconsistent, performance and retention are impacted.

FOCUS AREAS

  • Jobsite culture and its impact on turnover

  • Workforce challenges affecting crew performance

  • Leadership behaviors that influence team outcomes

  • Jobsite conduct, accountability, and communication

  • The connection between environment and safety performance

WHY DOES THIS WORK MATTER?

The industry must bring in millions of new workers in the coming years – but hiring alone is not enough.

The real challenge is keeping people in the industry and helping them succeed.

Across the workforce, consistent themes continue to emerge:

  • People leave jobsites – not just companies

  • Leadership drives stability

  • Jobsite experience shapes long-term career decisions

Organizations that address these realities will be better positioned to:

  • retain skilled workers

  • improve project performance

  • strengthen safety outcomes

  • build sustainable workforce pipelines

Research & Industry
Engagement

This work is supported through:

  • Industry surveys and workforce insights

  • Interviews with construction professionals

  • Jobsite and leadership analysis

  • Industry roundtables and working sessions

Outputs will include:

  • Industry briefs and reports

  • Executive-level insights

  • Speaking and facilitated discussions

  • Advisory and consulting framework.

COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES

CSWI is being developed in collaboration with industry.

Opportunities for engagement will include:

  • Contractors and construction firms

  • Industry associations

  • Workforce and training organizations

  • Academic and research partners

Early conversations and collaboration inquiries are welcome.

The Construction Sustainable Workforce Initiative (CSWI) will formally launch in the near future.

The future of construction will be shaped by how well we build teams –not just projects.

Connect to learn more or express interest in early engagement.

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