CAWIC, ACCA celebrate new diversity, inclusion partnerships with Procore

Construction software company Procore has announced two new partnerships in Canada to advance diversity and inclusion in the construction industry.

The announcement was made earlier this month. Both beneficiaries of the Procore outreach, the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA) and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC), say the offers of technology and training from Procore are welcome and significant.

ACCA president Stephen Callender said the support of new software resources is helpful given that Black contractors are often small firms that are under-capitalized.

One of the ACCA members already uses Procore platforms, he noted, and is excited to gain more access to Procore project management software.

Capital a problem

“Capital is a problem,” said Callender, the owner of Bass Installation, a glass installation firm based in Mississauga. “Whatever capital they have, they put into tools and equipment, usually not software, because they’re smaller companies.

“Our members are very excited, especially the person who uses Procore already. He says, ‘When can we celebrate?’”

Meanwhile Calgary-based CAWIC president-elect Kristen Hallberg, an innovation manager at United Rentals, said the new partnership is the latest in a series of strategic initiatives CAWIC has developed in recent years as it grows in sophistication.

“CAWIC has changed,” said Hallberg. “If you look at where we were three years ago, I think all of these significant partnerships that CAWIC has done in 2024 and the other ones that are in the pipeline to continue to come in 2025 and ‘26, it’s one thing to say your mission statement and say what you’re going to do, but then it’s another thing to have the resources and have the value there for everybody to see.

“I think partnerships like this is one of those that will have a significant impact for those who take advantage of it.”

Procore has worked with the National Association of Women in Construction and Black-owned contractors in the U.S. and Irish Horsey, Procore’s director of industry advancement, said it was a natural step for Procore.org, the firm’s advocacy arm, to create the new partnerships in Canada.

A Procore survey of Canadian construction stakeholders found 38 per cent believe there is a need to improve diversity and inclusion in construction workplaces to attract women, minorities and underrepresented groups.

“Research shows that one of the challenges that hinders advancement for underrepresented groups and diverse businesses is the lack of technology and resources,” said Horsey. “We have this tool that we can actively use to engage and help support the growth of those businesses.”

Through the initiative, Procore will provide training, technology and support to minority contractors, diverse-owned firms and women in construction across Canada.

Procore will offer comprehensive training programs and is willing to go right to workplaces to consult and deliver, Horsey said.

Procore will also offer discounted buying programs to eligible members and has plans for further outreach, including collaborating with CAWIC at an upcoming conference.

Horsey said there will be different assistance packages offered to the two groups based on in-depth conversations she had to determine what services and products would be most useful.

“We recognize that women make up a very small percentage of the construction workforce,” said Horsey.

“We were aware of the challenges that women face in the industry and wanted to work with them on initiatives that help in construction through professional development initiatives, working alongside them with training opportunities on the Procore platform.”

More CAWIC deals

CAWIC has recently signed partnership deals with Mark’s and Home Depot, with the former initiative aimed in part at addressing the lack of suitable PPE for women on jobsites, said Hallberg.

Hallberg said access to Procore project management software will give women in construction a leg up in numerous circumstances.

For example, women coming out of trade school may never have opened the software platform they are expected to use on the job. Access to Procore software would be a “huge benefit,” she said.

“Stay-at-home moms, who maybe are behind in tech, who want a career in construction, I think that’s an amazing opportunity, a great partnership,” said Hallberg.

“If they hear about CAWIC and become a member and get all of the education and partnerships that Procore is willing to offer, and then you’re in our network, so you’ll find allies.”

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