Being a construction company comes with quite a few obstacles to overcome in terms of public perception. The general, seemingly negative stereotype of the construction industry is firmly ingrained in the public’s mind, regardless of its inaccuracy. Here at Cornejo, we seek to break the mold, to shatter the constructed image of our industry, and to build our company as a broadly diverse and equal place of employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire based on skill and experience, not gender, race, class, sexual orientation, or religion. Talent is found in all places and in all types of people, and it is our job to find that talent and give it the opportunity to grow and develop. Some of our key elements of diversity and inclusivity lie in the foundation of the company itself. Employees are at the very heart of the company, and as such, we emphasize broad recruitment in various locations across the globe, employing workers from 26 states and 14 countries. Furthermore, once employed by Cornejo, employees work with specially trained managers who promote diversity, respect, and inclusion through safe, communicative, and productive workspaces. Alongside our efforts to create a racially diverse workforce, Cornejo also seeks to promote gender diversity in our industry. In a field that is typically dominated by men, Cornejo makes a concentrated effort to provide opportunities for the advancement of women in construction. Within our company, there are 13 women in leadership positions, who are vital to the daily operations, and our internship program has a steadily growing demographic of female applicants. Outside of the office, our key efforts include an extensive partnership with the Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL) and a continued sponsorship of the Mentoring a Girl in Construction CORNEJO & SONS: LEADERS IN DIVERSITY By Brittany Roberts
(MAGIC) program. With KANSEL, we support recent graduates by training them, providing them with a truck, and helping them obtain their CDL license.
For MAGIC, we provide t-shirts, backpacks, and an introduction to the construction industry for the female campers. Through these connections, we promote a more gender-diverse working environment within the construction industry and within our company. Our current company initiative includes an emphasized encouragement for the applications of minorities, women, and veterans. Alongside that initiative is our ongoing support of diverse programs within our community. One such means of support is this year’s inaugural Cornejo Cornhole Championship, the proceeds of which go to Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that helps women achieve economic independence through support, attire, and developmental tools. Additionally, we are continuing our partnership with Anderson Elementary, a school populated by a broad demographic of children. Respect, inclusion, and the advancement of diversity are vital to the identity of Cornejo & Sons. As we said, the construction industry is highly stigmatized and constantly viewed through a lens of stereotype. At Cornejo, it is our mission to change that perception through our words and our actions and to welcome a new outlook on construction as a diverse and equal-opportunity industry.
2 www.cornejocorp.com
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