July/August 2024 - 7

GIANFRANCO DI CICCO
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I may be incorrect, but it seems to me
that one of the biggest challenges that
I've previously identified has been
more and more recognized, and not just
by our industry. I am talking about the
difficulties of finding field personnel.
Recalling one of my previous
Workforce Challenge:
An Update to One of Three DFI Strategic Goals
Regarding the last point, an immajor
problem in Europe, while in other
parts of the world the issue is mainly
the difficulties of training and retaining
new personnel.
DFI intends to find avenues to tackle
messages, I stated that " the main
challenge remains to find people that
want to work in our industry, mainly in
the field, building what we design
following maximum safety and quality
standards and obtaining sustainable
resilient results. "
Now it seems that, in addition to
other geo-construction related organizations
that are recognizing this
challenge, major U.S. news outlets have
also reported on the difficulties of
finding electricians, mechanics,
hydraulic technicians and many other
trade personnel. This is in addition to
recognizing that for many high school
graduates, a college education is not a
realistic way to achieve a decent living
after covering the incredible cost of
obtaining a degree.
The alternative is attending an accredited
vocational or technical school
after finishing high school. No need to
explain the advantages of being able to
receive a good salary (close to, if not over
six figures) two or three years in advance
of those obtaining a university degree,
but also the freedom to start working
immediately, and often without the
debt obligation to repay any loans
needed to pay for a college education.
Clearly the high cost of obtaining a
degree is mainly in the U.S. However,
the scarcity of site workforce is also a
this challenge. As reported in another of
my previous messages, one of the three
new DFI strategies/goals is, " participating
in solving the industry's challenge
of attracting people (in particular,
site personnel) to enter our industry,
and possibly join DFI. "
Because of the above, during the last
couple of months the task force of DFI
leaders that volunteered to work on this
matter (under the guidance of Executive
Director Theresa Engler) recognizes not
only the importance but also the difficulties
of the mission and, in particular:
1. The requirement to develop an initial
plan of action that has been shared
with the Executive Committee and
the Board of Trustees.
2. The need to understand what other
organizations are doing on this
matter and to possibly join efforts.
This includes an invitation letter to
various organizations, suggesting a
group meeting to discuss what each
has done or is doing and what we
can do together.
3. The need to understand/verify the
actual needs of DFI members regarding
site personnel and other employees
needed, along with gauging
their interest in supporting the
project. Also, possibly supporting the
development of training programs
aimed at our industry requirements.
portant survey will be sent to all our
members in order to record information
on the actual personnel requirements
in our industry.
There is no doubt in my
mind that without the
support of our members in
preparing material for
specialty training (which
will be given to selected
schools and possibly
union groups) we will not
be able to increase the
number of site personnel
entering our industry.
Then, the next step will be to convince
the government (in conjunction with
our cooperation with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and possibly the
Federal Highway Administration) to
propose partnering with our industry in
developing a program that generates
interest for students to pursue working
in the geotechnical and deep foundation
part of construction, which is the
fundamental part of any project.
I recognize this is a very ambitious
project but, " He who never tries, will
never achieve, " and more than ever, we
need your support, your ideas and commitment
to help us in making it happen!
Contact Gianfranco Di Cicco at GDCons2015@gmail.com
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * JULY/AUG 2024 * 7
July/August 2024

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