Clean Scapes is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within the commercial construction industry by supporting the growth of minority-owned subcontractors. On large, long-term projects, we take a hands-on role in mentoring emerging minority-owned firms, embedding them into the life cycle of the project to ensure meaningful participation, skills development, and lasting capacity. 

We also recognize that achieving meaningful participation requires diligence and accountability. We know it can be more costly and risky to hire certain subcontractors and suppliers, and as such, we take the responsibility of selecting our protege firms seriously.  

 

Program Approach 

Rather than a generic, time-based program, our mentorship program is tied directly to the phases of each project. This ensures that protégés receive relevant, practical experience while contributing to the successful delivery of high-quality landscapes. Clean Scapes provides protege firms the following support for each phase: 

 

Phase 1: Pre-Construction 

• Involvement in project kickoff meetings and design reviews 

• Exposure to estimating, takeoffs, and phasing strategies 

• Guidance on contracts, insurance, and compliance standards, including contract legal and scope review 

 

Phase 2: Mobilization 

• Participation in site preparation and scheduling activities 

• Training on crew coordination, equipment use, and safety compliance (with safety training provided by our Safety Managers as needed) 

• Shadowing Clean Scapes project managers and superintendents 

 

Phase 3: Active Construction 

• Assignment of defined scope under Clean Scapes’ oversight 

• Weekly mentor check-ins to review progress, resolve challenges, and refine practices 

• Involvement in quality control, safety, change order management, and client coordination 

 

Phase 4: Project Close-Out 

• Guidance on punch list completion, warranty processes, and project turnover 

• Review of project financials and lessons learned 

• Preparation for future independent bidding on similar scopes of work 

 

Phase 5: Transition & Continued Support 

• Advisory support as the protégé pursues new opportunities 

• Consideration for subcontracting roles on future Clean Scapes projects 

 

Outcomes 

Through this project-specific mentorship model, Clean Scapes helps minority-owned subcontractors: 

• Build technical and managerial capacity in real time 

• Gain verifiable experience on large-scale projects 

• Establish industry connections and long-term growth opportunities 

 

At the same time, owners/GCs benefit from: 

• A diverse and inclusive project team 

• Stronger, more capable subcontractor partners delivering quality work 

• A measurable contribution to broader community and industry development goals