and maintaining existing work opportunities , some construction clean-up and safety contractors actually saw an increase in demand and requested assistance locating additional hires for the expanded project work .
Eight months into the pandemic , most construction firms are resuming business and have been seeking support to help with recovery efforts , including :
•• Access to capital
••
Assistance with accounting , bookkeeping to meet the financial reporting requirements for loans and grants received
••
Help strengthening their back-office operations while seeking new opportunities
To assist CTAP-enrolled contractors in their recovery efforts , we have been providing ongoing support with :
•• Individualized assessments and technical assistance to help address specific business needs
•• Referrals to our Program Partners for additional support needs
••
Virtual workshops on a variety of salient topics to provide ongoing support and guidance for contractors ’ re-opening and recovery efforts
A free virtual seminar on COVID-19 Construction Safety , presented by our Senior Safety Manager on June 16 , 2020 , is just one example of how CTAP staff have developed new methods of providing small contractors with the critical support they need to survive the pandemic , both in terms of their business viability and in terms of their own personal safety . The workshop addressed the following issues :
•• Keeping workers safe while on site
•• Adhering to Public Health Order timelines and requirements
•• Developing COVID-19 Health and Safety plans
•• Understanding COVID-19 exposure and reporting requirements
••
Meeting the Safety Compliance Officer Mandate and other compliance requirements
Another series of online workshops , CTAP ’ s “ Business Recovery Series ,” educates contractors on topics designed to help them weather the current economic downturn , position themselves to successfully identify and pursue business opportunities as they arise , and to prepare themselves as best they can to surmount future , unforeseeable events that might have a negative impact on their businesses .
CTAP staff have made recordings of all recent virtual workshops available for
viewing online to ensure that the information shared continues to be available to small contractors .
To help inform small local contractors about and connect them with contracting , training and other opportunities in the County , CTAP staff also enhanced the Program ’ s
Weekly Blast e-newsletter to include pre-bid and bid opportunities , contractor and COVID-19 resources , as well as upcoming events of interest ( visit the
archive page to see most recent past issues ).
FALL / WINTER 2020 CONTRACTOR REPORT - 05