The certification assesses steel erection contractors on safety, culture, training and operations, with documented evidence rather than self-declaration
Steel erection is one of the most demanding trades on a construction site, and one of the hardest to recruit for. The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) wants to give the best employers a way to prove it.
SEAA has launched Modern Erector, a certification programme designed to define and recognise the best places to work in the industry. It covers the structural steel, reinforcing steel and metal decking disciplines and is a third-party validation of companies that deliberately build strong people, systems and cultures.
“Modern Erector is the industry’s only credential that encompasses all aspects of a business culture,” said Pete Gum, SEAA Executive Director.
What is assessed
The certification is evidence-based. Companies are evaluated on the level of proven systems and documented processes in six areas:
- business operations;
- culture and employee engagement;
- safety and risk management;
- employee experience and benefits;
- training and workforce development;
- quality and technical excellence.
For contractors, the certification is a recruiting tool as much as a quality mark: a way to show ironworkers and apprentices that a company invests in safety and careers. For general contractors and owners, it offers another signal when choosing subcontractors for steel packages.
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