"We talk about AI as if humans aren’t involved, but it’s really the decisions that humans are making." –Joy BuolamwiniAre AI recruitment tools eliminating hiring bias or making it worse? Over the years, the recruitment and hiring process has become more sophisticated. New software has emerged to supercharge hiring through automation. Free from human constraints, artificial ...

Used correctly, artificial intelligence (AI) can help companies increase the diversity of their candidate pools. Should more engineering firms being using artificial intelligence to do the same? It's no secret that engineering has a diversity problem. In STEM, less than a quarter of the workforce are women and only 9.9% are women of color. As we explored in the first part of...

The dreaded Blue Monday is officially recognized as the most depressing day of the year. For those working in engineering and infrastructure in many parts of the US, factors like the cold weather and a lack of sunlight can lead to this depression. Whether you are working in an office or in the field, the dreary weather and the fading cheer of the holiday season can put you i...

LVI Associates, the engineering and infrastructure brand in the Phaidon International group, is excited to announce its expansion into the existing Dallas, Texas office. Since the brand’s launch in 2016, LVI Associates has experienced significant growth supporting clients in the Texas and wider Southern regions from our office hubs in London and Boston.As of this month, we ...

​ In September, LVI Associates attended the 92nd Water Environmental Federation Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago. More than 20,000 people from across the globe were in attendance. The theme of this year’s conference was focused around ReGeneration Workforce, with the goal to work together to “Regenerate and Reinvigorate the water workforce, pro...

​At the beginning of November, our Head of Heavy Civil Construction, William Shephard, was asked to speak at the ELEVATE: Heavy Work conference by Command Alkon. ELEVATE delivers a comprehensive set of educational and motivational sessions that appeal directly to executive leaders, project owners, and operational management across the heavy work community.“I was honored to b...

​​90% of CEOs report that diversity is a top business priority, yet the dial towards progress has hardly moved in recent years. In engineering, 20% of related degrees are held by women, yet only 13% of the engineering workforce is female. Furthermore, 4% of degrees awarded to women are held by women of color, but only 2% of the total engineering workforce is made up of women...

​The business case for gender diversity is stronger than ever, but many companies are struggling to ensure women are fairly represented in top management. At LVI Associates, we believe the answer is by making gender diversity a commercial imperative - and business leaders agree. A report by McKinsey & Company found that 90% of CEOs said they prioritised gender diversity ...

​Over 6,500 new engineering roles are created in the US annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the sector continues to grow, there is increasing competition among engineering employers working on large infrastructure projects to source the best project managers and specialists.Creating an attractive employer brand to secure top talent revolves around crafti...

​A toxic employee can be identified through their effects on other members of your team. If you are managing an engineering team, you need to ensure they are working collaboratively and positively, and a single ‘bad apple’ who is spreading gossip or bullying others can lead to dips in both productivity and wellbeing.As a leader, it is vital to handle toxic employees with a s...

​Fielding applications for roles within the infrastructure and engineering sector can take up a lot of a hiring managers’ time, and it is tempting to ignore applications at the start of the process, or avoid giving feedback to those who interviewed for a role unsuccessfully. After all, no-one wants to be the bearer of bad news.However, bad candidate rejection practices can c...

​Infrastructure and engineering companies often work on large projects which require high quality talent when it comes to leadership, project management and insights from specialized experience across different fields of engineering. This means often looking beyond the local talent pool to locate brilliant talent.Job offers which require relocations will often come with an a...

​The busy and demanding engineering sector requires a lot of work under pressure. Where some workers thrive in stressful conditions, even the most resilient can face being overwhelmed by their work at least once in their careers.The research firm Gallup found in 2014 that the average American work week averaged out at over 47 hours and is continuing to rise. These extra hour...

​When hiring for a pivotal role which requires a range of skill sets or holds a lot of responsibility, multiple stakeholders will want to have an input in the decision being made. This has led to talented candidates within the infrastructure and engineering sector attending a day-long interview, which involves several rounds of questions mixed with tests, tasks and a tour of...

​First impressions will always count, and the worst experience for a new employee is to wander into their office on their first day and find out no-one was expecting them, or that their desk isn’t even set-up. The hiring process doesn’t end with a job offer, but when a new hire is fully settled in their role.HR managers in the global infrastructure and engineering sector nee...

​Engineering is all about solving problems using practical and technical skills - it demands engaged workers who create precise and efficient work. As new technologies transform the landscape of engineering and how infrastructure is built, demand for skilled, flexible and adaptable individuals has increased. There are plenty of opportunities for engineers out there to develo...

Working on large infrastructure and engineering projects depends on productive and collaborative teamwork, and good working relationships are essential to projects being completed to tight and stressful deadlines. A single ‘bad apple’ within your team can lead to dips in productivity and a toxic work atmosphere.More often than not, toxic behavior is the result of stress, and...

​Reaching the ‘finish line’ of a recruitment process and getting a job offer for a lucrative role in the infrastructure and engineering sector is certainly a cause for celebration, but before you pop the champagne, it pays to ask a few questions about the role before you say ‘yes’.Are you excited about starting the role, or do you have doubts about your suitability? Are you ...

​Looking for a new role is a stressful and time-consuming process, especially in the infrastructure and engineering sector, where demands for specific soft and hard skill sets are high. You may often find your CV and cover letter in the digital ‘black hole’, never to get a reply, or struggle to get ahead in a busy job market.One of the best ways to find your perfect role is ...

​Starting a new role in the global infrastructure and engineering sector is a time of optimism and potential, so it makes no sense to waste it on making a bad first impression on your first day of work. It is important to view your first day as an extension of your interview, and arriving on time and looking your best will only make a positive impression.However, there is mo...