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Construction companies looking for ways to increase the diversity of their workforces may find some solutions at the Diversity in the Construction Trades Summit on Nov. 9.

The full-day event will offer opportunities for companies and firms just beginning to dip a toe in the world of building a diverse workforce as well as those that have well-established diversity and inclusion programs and are interested in sharing what they鈥檝e learned.

Organized by a joint effort between Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. and Constructing Hope, the summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Portland Community College鈥檚 Cascade Campus.

There will be two sessions. The morning session will include a collaborative panel discussion, and educational and informational programs. During the afternoon session, participants will be gathered into groups, where they will discuss challenges, share solutions, brainstorm and devise plans of action to take back and implement in their workplaces.

This is the third consecutive year for the summit. It has been refined each year to keep up with an increasing awareness in the local construction market, according to Megan Taliaferro, OTI鈥檚 consulting and training coordinator who is leading planning for the summit.

In its earliest incarnation, the summit was focused mainly on work by public agencies. Last year, though, there was a larger effort to create more balance by bringing in more private companies. This year, organizers also looking to attract more private companies while also adding representatives from pre-apprenticeship and training programs to the mix of attendees, Taliaferro said.

The event has been filling quickly, but Taliaferro said about 30 spots available remain for companies or industry professionals interested in attending. While the summit is drawing many repeat attendees, organizers are 鈥渉oping to bring some new people into the conversation,鈥� she said.

The cost to attend the summit is $55 per person. Online registration is available at . The website also has additional information about the summit.

If you go:

What: Diversity in the Construction Trades Summit

When: Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Portland Community College鈥檚 Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St., Portland

Cost: $55 per person

More information: www.tradeswomen.net/diversity-in-the-construction-trades-summit/