Black employees make up simply 5% of the engineering workforce in the United States, based on the Pew Research Center, and the share of Black-owned engineering firms is even smaller.One West Palm Beach-based firm is breaking down these barriers by constructing an excellent larger legacy.In only a few months, the development web site at Beacon Circle in West Palm Beach will probably be reworked right into a state-of-the-art headquarters for ECF Engineering Consultants.“We are constructing a 20,000 square foot facility to accommodate our main office,” Everett Fennell, the founder and CEO of ECF Engineering, mentioned.The firm gives technical, electrical, and mechanical assist for firms and businesses like FPL and the Port of Palm Beach.Coming Together: Project CommUNITYIt was based in West Palm Beach and its distinctive not simply due to the work they do, but additionally due to the individuals doing that work.“We have a very diverse staff that really represents the community we live and work in. We’re proud of that. We’re proud of not only the ethnic diversity, but the fact that the firm president is a woman,” Fennell mentioned.President and COO Shauna Fennell Hawkins is Fennell’s daughter, and vital illustration in a area the place not simply Black individuals but additionally girls are underrepresented. “I’m a behind the scenes person, but I did realize that my position is unique and that it was important that I be more at the forefront, to show our black women that its attainable,” Fennell Hawkins mentioned.WATCH: Project CommUNITY Black History Month SpecialWith areas in Atlanta and Sunrise, they’re hoping to develop their enterprise with this new constructing which Fennell mentioned will assist develop their workforce by 10%.“We’re very proud of this building because as an engineering firm, we self-engineered the project ourselves. So, it will have a lot of energy efficient features in it,” Jerold Parrott, the director of constructing Services for ECF Engineering, mentioned.Even although the business is dominated by majority white establishments, Fennell mentioned ECF’s success has come in half by partnerships with different minority companies and he hopes they’ll be an inspiration for different black women and men to enter the engineering area.“We feel based on our success others can find a way to replicate what we’ve done. We do work with others; we do mentor others and support others who are pursuing their dreams. But — it’s just been a great opportunity. We’ve been blessed to be in a position to create what we have,” Fennell mentioned.Fennell mentioned he expects to maneuver into the new constructing by the third quarter of this yr and jobs have already been posted.A second of pleasure: News We Love
Black employees make up simply 5% of the engineering workforce in the United States, based on the Pew Research Center, and the share of Black-owned engineering firms is even smaller.
One West Palm Beach-based firm is breaking down these barriers by constructing an excellent larger legacy.
In only a few months, the development web site at Beacon Circle in West Palm Beach will probably be reworked right into a state-of-the-art headquarters for ECF Engineering Consultants.
“We are constructing a 20,000 square foot facility to accommodate our main office,” Everett Fennell, the founder and CEO of ECF Engineering, mentioned.
The firm gives technical, electrical, and mechanical assist for firms and businesses like FPL and the Port of Palm Beach.
Coming Together: Project CommUNITY
It was based in West Palm Beach and its distinctive not simply due to the work they do, but additionally due to the individuals doing that work.
“We have a very diverse staff that really represents the community we live and work in. We’re proud of that. We’re proud of not only the ethnic diversity, but the fact that the firm president is a woman,” Fennell mentioned.
President and COO Shauna Fennell Hawkins is Fennell’s daughter, and vital illustration in a area the place not simply Black individuals but additionally girls are underrepresented.
“I’m a behind the scenes person, but I did realize that my position is unique and that it was important that I be more at the forefront, to show our black women that its attainable,” Fennell Hawkins mentioned.
WATCH: Project CommUNITY Black History Month Special
With areas in Atlanta and Sunrise, they’re hoping to develop their enterprise with this new constructing which Fennell mentioned will assist develop their workforce by 10%.
“We’re very proud of this building because as an engineering firm, we self-engineered the project ourselves. So, it will have a lot of energy efficient features in it,” Jerold Parrott, the director of constructing Services for ECF Engineering, mentioned.
Even although the business is dominated by majority white establishments, Fennell mentioned ECF’s success has come in half by partnerships with different minority companies and he hopes they’ll be an inspiration for different black women and men to enter the engineering area.
“We feel based on our success others can find a way to replicate what we’ve done. We do work with others; we do mentor others and support others who are pursuing their dreams. But — it’s just been a great opportunity. We’ve been blessed to be in a position to create what we have,” Fennell mentioned.
Fennell mentioned he expects to maneuver into the new constructing by the third quarter of this yr and jobs have already been posted.
A second of pleasure: News We Love