Keene State College convenes national leaders to address future of occupational safety and construction workforce

Keene State College’s (KSC) Safety and Construction Sciences programs recently hosted a three-day summit that brought students, faculty, alumni and industry leaders from across the country to address the future of the occupational safety profession and the growing demand for qualified safety professionals.

Leaders from construction, manufacturing, utilities, health care and other safety-driven industries gathered on campus to discuss workforce shortages, connect employers with highly skilled Keene State students and strengthen a national community committed to advancing occupational safety and health leadership. The summit underscored KSC’s national reputation for preparing safety and construction professionals who are in high demand across multiple industries.

The event opened with a keynote address from Keene State alumnus David Flener, vice president of safety operations at Quanta Services. He spoke about leadership, communication and the growing need for safety and construction management professionals across the industry.

“In the safety profession right now, you (program graduates) can write your ticket,” Flener said. “Employers are investing heavily in safety professionals and creating strong career opportunities.”

“Students enrolled in our Safety and Construction Sciences programs are heavily recruited, with starting salaries typically ranging from $70,000 to $80,000 within the first five years of their careers and rapid advancement opportunities,” said Brady Keene, Keene State College clinical assistant professor and organizer of the event. “Of the 64 industry leaders who participated in this year’s summit, more than 75% are Keene State alumni.”

A Keene State student networks with an employer representative during the career and internship fair. (Courtesy of Keene State College)

“Keene State’s future relies on an industry-informed education model,” said Donald L. Birx, Ph.D., interim president of Keene State College. “Events like this demonstrate how strong partnerships between industry and academia prepare students with practical experience, critical thinking skills and the ability to deliver value to employers from the first day of their careers.”

The summit included workshops, panel discussions and a career fair, and also marked the inaugural Community Leadership Event for safety professionals. The gathering additionally represented the first time the Associated General Contractors of America held a national meeting on the Keene State campus. Representatives from major construction and infrastructure firms attended, including AECOM, Skanska, PCL Construction, Quanta Services, Turner Construction, Consigli Construction, Dimeo Construction and Eversource Energy.

“KSC has built a strong reputation in the safety profession across New England and nationally,” said Christopher Stock, a Keene State alumnus and Eversource director of safety for electric operations and transmission capital projects. “At any given time, about 60% of our safety department is made up of Keene State graduates. They bring both strong technical knowledge and the interpersonal skills needed to be effective in the field.”

KSC Safety and Construction Sciences graduates traditionally achieve a 100% job placement rate if they pursue careers in the field. Many secure paid internships and earn Graduate Safety Professional credentials before graduation.