Inclusion & Diversity
Building opportunity alongside infrastructure
The LAWA RUE case study project emerged as a result of the close coordination between Skanska and Los Angeles World Airports, and the partnership’s dedication to uplifting surrounding communities. The project continues to translate inclusive procurement into measurable payments, utilization and business growth for certified firms across Southern California.
The case study’s importance lies in its ability to tangibly measure results and replicate models proven to improve the quality of the communities in which Skanska operates.
“When local businesses are given a real opportunity, the benefits extend far beyond the jobsite. I’m incredibly proud of Connie and the entire RUE team for exceeding the project goals and showing what’s possible when inclusion is built into the work from day one. Their commitment helped create meaningful access for diverse businesses while strengthening the project, the workforce, and the community,” said Teresa Maxwell, Inclusion Manager at Skanska USA Civil West. “That kind of success is exactly what makes infrastructure for Los Angeles more resilient, more representative, and more impactful.”
Skanska aimed to support the project’s success by taking a proactive, relationship-driven approach to inclusion of qualified businesses. All targeted project metrics were exceeded for Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Local Business Enterprises (LBE), Local Small Business Enterprises (LSBE), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE). The project’s payment and utilization reporting revealed strong participation across these target businesses: 152 certified suppliers and contractors totaled 170 contracts worth more than $160.5 million. Over the life of the project, the LAWA RUE workforce included 2,258 total craft/union workers, of which 706 were local workers, demonstrating meaningful investment in the surrounding communities.
HireLAX
Skanska actively supported the HireLAX apprenticeship readiness program by intentionally integrating local residents into the construction workforce and creating clear, sustainable pathways into the skilled trades. Through this, Skanska hired program graduates who joined the LAWA RUE team as first-period apprentices, performing essential field work while progressing toward long-term, union construction careers. Since its launch, HireLAX has graduated more than 375 participants and placed over 264 individuals into union construction jobs, reinforcing its role as a critical workforce pipeline for major infrastructure projects like LAWA RUE.
Community engagement
Workforce development and community engagement were intentional strategies woven into the project’s delivery to create lasting opportunities for local residents and future industry leaders. Skanska staff engaged in local volunteering efforts such as the LAWA ImpactLAX Youth program, introducing students to the fields of construction and engineering at SEED LA High School, Westchester High School and Hollenbeck Middle School.
Skanska proudly sponsored the Veterans Advocacy Group of America’s Thanksgiving dinner for veterans and their families in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, helping to create a meaningful space for gratitude, connection and community support.
In response to the early 2025 Palisades Fire, LAWA RUE partnered with City of Los Angeles officials to donate K-rail to help stabilize the burn area and reduce the risk of mudslides along the Pacific Coast Highway, which was badly damaged by the Palisades fire.
Skanska’s Small Business Academy
Launched in 2015, Skanska’s Small Business Academy trains local small businesses to help them succeed on major Los Angeles projects, including the Los Angeles Metro Purple D Line Extension, Los Angeles Metro Regional Connector, LAWA RUE, and LAWA ATMP. To date, graduates have completed more than $585 million in work on Skanska projects.
The 2021 LAWA RUE Boot Camp, held remotely due to COVID-19, was designed to help small businesses strengthen their readiness for opportunities in the industry. The program helped 15 small business participants build skills in safety, certification, access to capital, project labor agreements, payroll, insurance, contract readiness, business development and estimating. Notably, the LAWA RUE graduating class performed $7.8 million on the project.
Award-winning project
Skanska’s LAWA RUE Project was recognized with the following awards, reflecting their ongoing commitment to safety, inclusion, supplier diversity, workforce development, and delivering meaningful impact: 2021 National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) Major Corporate Partner award; 2022 NAWIC Safety Excellence; 2022 Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) Public Works Contractor of the Year; 2022 Rosie the Riveter Bronze Award; 2023 Rosie the Riveter Silver Award; 2025 Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) Public Works Contractor of the Year; and the 2025 American Indian Chamber of Commerce (AICC) California, Supplier Diversity Warrior award.
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