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Contractors know that the future of the construction industry is reliant on its ability to attract and retain the most talented individuals necessary to meet the nation’s ever-increasing needs.

February was national Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, and students, educators and counselors across the country celebrated CTE programs that will train America’s future skilled workforce.

Why is this important? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS), Current Population Survey, with 19 percent of the construction workforce over the age of 55, the next decade will see approximately one-sixth of construction workers leave the industry for retirement. Then combine that statistic with the BLS’ find that the construction sector is projected to continue growing more than twice as fast as the average – in part because of the significant job losses that occurred during the 2007-2009 recession.

The growth in the construction industry and aging workforce is projected to create a workforce shortage of 1.6 million workers by 2022. As many of the Oregon contractors will say – the recession was felt for many more years than 2007-2009.

What can be done? Educate not only the workers but also the public, school counselors, parents and the middle and high school students. With so much discussion on the tuition debt mounting, why not consider the other four-year degree – construction trade apprenticeship. The purpose of the apprenticeship program is to develop a workforce that is qualified, adaptable, and most importantly, safe. A skilled workforce creates profit for both the worker and the contractor. Project owners expect contractors to produce a quality project at a competitive price. And contractors must have skilled, safe workers to be competitive. That’s where apprenticeship comes in.
Apprenticeship combines classroom training in the theory of the trade with on-the-job training to provide practical experience. Construction is one of the few fields where one can earn money as an apprentice or trainee while earning a credential and learning a well-paying, career-long craft. Plus, according to an article by Fast Company, the construction industry has the happiest employees. Could it be from the satisfaction of seeing a job completed, working with their hands, working with a team closely that they become family, or exercise from walking the job site? But the best benefit could be that with continual education and experience, skilled craft professionals can rise through the industry to become company executives or run their own business.

ABC is leading the way in developing the merit shop construction industry workforce by offering programs, such as the National Craft Championships, that promote lifelong learning experience and national recognition based on achievement at every career level. ABC’s Pacific Northwest chapter promotes the Workforce Development Program and the Northwest College of Construction. They are working with school districts educating high school students and their parents about apprenticeship programs. ABC’s Pacific Northwest chapter will be holding its first local craft championship in October. ABC PNW will pay to send the winners to the ABC National Craft Championships in March 2016.

The development of the next generation of construction workers is all of our responsibility and we need to come together in promoting the construction industry.

Laurie Kendall is president of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Pacific Northwest chapter. Contact her at 503-726-5440 or at [email protected].