Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! Bucks are flying across the states, $900M for Thunder’s arena, $1.4B for Jaguars’ revamp, and $21B from Hyundai, Schneider sparks an AI surge, Primavera P6 promises fewer scheduling headaches, and electricians? Totally booked. Trades are hot. Projects are hotter. Let’s get plugged in.

PROJECTS

Oklahoma City Shoots a $900M Shot, Nothing But Net

JV between Mortenson & Flintco, LLC has been approved to construct The Oklahoma City arena. It is set to become the future home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder and will encompass a minimum of 750,000 sqft of space with a significant $900M investment. Construction of the new arena is set to begin in February 2026, with an expected completion date in June 2028. After completion, the Oklahoma City Thunder will relocate to the new arena, committing to a 25-year lease agreement with the city.

• Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

• General Contractor: Mortenson & Flintco, LLC

• Design Team: MANICA Architecture & TVS Architects

• Sector: Stadium

• Value: $900 Million

• Location: Oklahoma City

From Roar to Resort, Jaguars’ $1.4B Stadium Revamp

Last month AECOM Hunt & Barton Malow broke ground on the Jaguars' huge $1.4B stadium renovation. The new EverBank Stadium will have a base capacity of more than 63,000, with the ability to expand up to 71,500, and will include a main concourse four times wider than the current one and a canopy to reduce heat during early-season games.

This renovation will also allow the Stadium to support NFL and non-NFL events, including the Florida-Georgia football game, international sporting events, and mega concerts. Construction is set to be completed in time for the 2028 NFL season.

• Client: Jacksonville Jaguars / EverBank

• General Contractors: AECOM Hunt / Barton Malow

• Award: Stadium

• Value: $1.4 Billion

• Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Hyundai Bets Big on U.S Manufacturing

Last week, Hyundai announced they would be investing approximately $9 billion to increase Hyundai's annual U.S. production capacity to 1.2 million vehicles across its brand. Another $6 billion will be invested to boost the localization of automotive components, including essential parts for electric vehicles like battery packs.

The last $6 billion is marked for innovation and strategic partnerships in areas such as autonomous driving, robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced air mobility. This comprehensive investment is projected to create over 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities by 2028, including 14,000 direct full-time positions.

• Client: Hyundai Motor Company

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Manufacturing

• Value: $21 Billion

• Location: United States

Fort Myers Takes Off with $1.1B Expansion

At the beginning of this month, Suffolk Construction broke ground on the Southwest Florida International Airport’s $1.1 billion Terminal E project. This project is the second phase of a massive expansion at RSW and will allow the airport to accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 more passengers each day. The expansion will also include the construction of a new 14-gate Terminal E concourse, along with airside improvements, terminal roadway modifications, and other additions. Construction is set to be complete by December 2027.

• Client: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

• General Contractors: Suffolk Construction

• Award: Aviation

• Value: $1.1 Billion

• Location: Fort Myers, Florida

MEET DD CONSTRUCTION

A big shoutout this week to DD Construction, a specialist metal building contractor based out of Centennial, Colorado.

Led by Justin Beall (Founder & President), DD has been raising steel since 2017, working on projects across aviation, warehouses, data centers and more!

Their team brings over 50 years of combined experience, offering clients exceptional customer service and high-quality metal building systems. Ranked #10 for Metal Building Constructors by Tonnage, DD is fully accredited, licensed, and insured.

Whether it’s a data center or a warehouse, DD Construction isn’t just raising the roof- they’re raising industry standards.

NEWS

Plug In or Miss Out, Electricians Are in High Demand

As the construction market continues to boom, electricians are becoming one of the most sought-after trades. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for electricians is projected to grow 6% through 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

The National Electrical Contractors Association reports that the median age of electricians is over 40 years old, and nearly 30% of union electricians are between the ages of 50 and 70.

Not a bad time to be part of the "Toolbelt Generation".

Schneider Electric Sparks AI Boom with $700M U.S Expansion

Schneider Electric has unveiled plans to invest over $700 million in its U.S. operations by 2027, aiming to enhance energy infrastructure to support the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and bolster domestic manufacturing.

This strategic move includes expanding and modernizing facilities across eight states, such as Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Texas, and is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs. The initiative reflects Schneider's commitment to meeting the escalating energy needs driven by rapid technological advancements.

By focusing on domestic manufacturing and energy efficiency, Schneider Electric positions itself to play a pivotal role in the evolving energy landscape. The company's proactive approach not only aims to meet current market demands but also anticipates future growth in the AI and automation sectors.

Turner Builds Bigger with Irish Upgrade

On January 7, 2025, Turner Construction Company, based in New York, officially acquired Dornan Group, an engineering and construction firm from Ireland. Dornan is known for its expertise in mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation (MEI) work. By bringing Dornan into the fold, Turner strengthens its technical abilities in these specialized areas, especially for complex builds like data centers, hospitals, and high-tech facilities.

Dornan Group has a strong reputation across Europe, with projects in sectors like pharma, energy, and tech. The acquisition gives Turner access to Dornan’s skilled workforce and client base. With over 2,000 employees and annual revenues near $800 million, Dornan adds serious weight to Turner’s international operations.

WORLD

The New Sydney Fish Market, Australia

The New Sydney Fish Market is one of Australia’s most ambitious civic projects, currently under construction on the foreshore of Blackwattle Bay in Pyrmont. At an estimated cost of $750 million, the redevelopment is more than a facelift, it’s a complete transformation into a state-of-the-art, purpose-built seafood and dining destination.

Designed by Danish firm 3XN in collaboration with BVN and Aspect Studios, the structure’s standout feature is a sweeping 200-meter-long wave-like roof canopy, assembled from 594 mass timber glulam beams and over 400 roof panels. The building sits partially over water, requiring complex marine piling and civil works.

The new market will offer:

• World-class seafood retail hall with expanded vendor space

• Fresh seafood auction area for wholesalers and the public

• Multiple waterfront restaurants and cafes, some with rooftop dining

• A new Sydney Seafood School offering cooking classes and events

• Over 6,000 square meters of public open space with harbor views

As of early 2025, significant construction milestones have been achieved, including the completion of the expansive roof canopy. The focus has now shifted to interior finishes, with the market on track to open later this year.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Robots Hit the Solar Farm

Building solar farms just got a high-tech upgrade. SoftBank invested $130 million into Terabase Energy, a company in Northern California that uses robots and artificial intelligence to help construct large-scale solar farms. The goal is to make building faster, cheaper, and more efficient—key factors as demand for clean energy grows.

Solar construction is usually labor-heavy and time-consuming. Terabase’s tech automates tasks like panel installation and site layout using robot arms, sensors, and software. According to the company, this can cut project timelines by up to 25% and reduce labor costs.

With the U.S. aiming to reach 100% clean electricity by 2035, faster builds could help meet aggressive climate goals. The Department of Energy estimates that the U.S. will need to triple its solar capacity by 2030 to stay on track.

Oracle Drops New Primavera P6

Oracle released Primavera P6 version 24.12, introducing features aimed at enhancing project management efficiency. A notable addition is the ability to preview changes before updating a baseline, allowing users to see potential impacts and adjust settings as needed. Another improvement is the "Unlink Activities" option, which enables users to remove specific relationships between tasks without affecting other connections.

These enhancements are designed to streamline project workflows and improve user control. The preview feature reduces errors by allowing thorough review before committing changes, while the unlinking option offers flexibility in managing task relationships. The import customization ensures that project data remains accurate and relevant, facilitating smoother data integration.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

What is the standard voltage for residential outlets in the United States?

A. 120 volts // B. 240 volts // C. 110 volts

Which HVAC component is responsible for removing heat from indoor air?

A. Compressor // B. Evaporator coil // C. Condenser fan

What is the primary purpose of a GFCI outlet?

A. Prevent circuit overload // B. Detect water leaks // C. Protect against electrical shock in wet areas

In plumbing, what does 'DWV' stand for?

A. Drinking Water Valve // B. Drain-Waste-Vent // C. Dual Water Volume

What is used to support horizontal piping in mechanical systems?

A. Clevis hanger // B. Anchor bolt // C. Stud bracket

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Electrical Project Manager – Virginia – Commercial

2. Electrical Project Manager – Virginia – Data Centers

3. Electrical Superintendent – Virginia – Data Centers

4. Electrical Project Manager – Ohio – Commercial

5. Electrical Superintendent – Georgia – Commercial

6. Project Manager – Kentucky – Healthcare

7. MEP Project Manager – Dallas – Commercial

8. Scheduler – Georgia – Commercial

9. Superintendent – North Carolina – Manufacturing

10. Electrical Superintendent – Traveling – Southeast

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

What are my strengths and how can I leverage them?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

🚧Answers

Q1 A. 120 volts // Q2 B. Evaporator coil // Q3 C. Protect against electrical shock in wet areas // Q4 B. Drain-Waste-Vent // Q5 A. Clevis hanger

How many did you get?

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