Report Highlights
For over 40 years, HACIA has been paving a path to opportunity for minority and women-owned businesses across the Midwest. By actively working to break down systemic barriers and biases, HACIA aims to help professionals in the construction industry realize their full potential. This 2023 Impact Report serves to outline HACIA’s involvement, achievements, staff, and board members for the year 2023.
Membership
The Hispanic American Construction Industry Association is one of the largest communities of Hispanic business owners in the professional service and construction industries in the state of Illinois. HACIA membership includes corporate, primes and subcontractors represented by the various trades.
Workforce Programs
Emphasizing strategic program development, HACIA seeks to shape the future of construction by building infrastructures to transcend today’s challenges and leverage tomorrow’s opportunities. We aim to create the next generation of business leaders by providing targeted educational opportunities to enhance business skills, facilitate mentorship, and share employer best practices. We also work to build a robust pipeline of diverse talent for architect and engineering fields and the construction trades by offering training that addresses real industry needs.
HACIA’s workforce development training prepares individuals for gainful employment and supports them in their efforts to build prosperous careers in the construction trades, emphasizing skills that are crucial to stay competitive in the industry. HACIA’s workforce development programs include:
Business Capacity Programs
HACIA’s business capacity training aims to break down three main barriers: 1) capacity constraints, 2) limited access to networks; and 3) sparse contracting opportunities. Our programs focus on expanding access to capital, widening and enriching networks, and offering technical training, certifications, and credentials needed by all entrepreneurs and their teams to scale their businesses and remain competitive in an evolving construction ecosystem. HACIA’s business capacity offerings include:
HACIA Scholarship and Education Foundation (HACIASEF)
Established in 2002, the HACIA Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide support to young aspiring leaders pursuing a degree in a construction-related field. Since its inception, the HACIA Scholarship & Education Foundation has awarded over $650,000 in scholarships to over 130 students pursuing careers in engineering, architecture or construction technology
The HACIA Scholarship & Education Foundation (HACIASEF) awards up to $50,000 in scholarships to ten deserving students studying in the construction field every year. The scholarships are presented at HACIA’s Annual Awards Banquet Held at the Chicago Hilton in the spring. The scholarships are made possible through ongoing individual, corporate and foundation donations.
Advocacy Work
HACIA is proud to be a champion and industry leader for the growing and thriving minority construction community. Advocacy for small and diverse businesses is not just important, it is essential. Diverse businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and fueling economic growth in our local communities. By supporting these entrepreneurs, we can help level the playing field and ensure access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Advocating for our minority and women businesses is incredibly important – these businesses play a vital role in creating jobs, boosting innovation, and driving economic growth in local communities, as they face unique challenges when trying to access capital and resources.
2023 Getting Civic with HACIA
2023 Transportation Panel Event
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