According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be about 81,000 job openings for electricians, every year, between now and 2034. The need for HVAC mechanics and installers will generate about 41,000 openings each year. Plumbers, pipefitters, steam fitters and other trades will also be in high demand. To create more pathways into skilled work, privately supported initiatives are taking off. Read on for ideas about tapping into the action in your region.
More Jobs Than Workers: Solving The Mismatch
The scramble for construction workers is nowhere near over, and solving the shortage requires attention to the mismatch between job openings and interested workers. According to this summer’s Harris poll results, “Despite a growing number of jobs in the skilled construction trades, only a fraction of young workers entering the labor market express interest in pursuing careers in these fields….Only 38% of Gen Z says skilled trades offer the best job opportunities today,” and “only 36% strongly agree skilled trades offer a faster and more affordable path to a good career…”.
Reporting for Construction Dive, Joe Burns shares that to attract more next gen workers into skilled trades, several promising new and privately funded initiatives are taking off around the country, including these:
Schneider Electric announced a $100,000 investment in The Skill Pointe Foundation that will make $3,000 grants available to individuals seeking training in building energy management, automation and related high-demand fields. Atlanta-based initiative builds on scholarship programs previously launched in Boston, Dallas and New York City….“Skilled career scholarships unlock life-changing opportunities — not just for individuals, but for companies and communities across America,” Alvin Townley…of the Skill Pointe Foundation, said.
The Home Depot Foundation announced a $10 million investment to broaden access to skilled trades training, including a $1 million partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to introduce more young people to…the construction trades. Through the Foundation’s Path to Pro program, the partnership with BGCA launches a two-year pilot in Atlanta, Phoenix and Houston to introduce more than 1,000 children and teens to careers in carpentry, electrical, HVAC and plumbing … .Grants will also support veterans enrolling in accredited trade schools.
In addition to tapping into newly funded regional efforts creating pathways into skilled labor, it’s wise for construction business owners to develop partnerships with trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Specifically, analysts at McKinsey & Company encourage appealing to the tech savviness of next gen workers by demonstrating how technology is increasingly being leveraged in construction. Compensation and meaningful recognition practices are also essential for recruiting and retaining new workers. At Calvary Construction, Boyd Beadles offers these selling points for construction careers in the AI era:
Some of the nation’s highest in-demand jobs include carpenters, electricians, HVAC and solar installers, plumbers, painters, and masonry workers. Trade careers also offer greater job stability than many fields requiring a four-year college degree. Professions like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work are essential manual labor roles that are far less likely and feasible to be taken over by AI and emerging technologies.…The traditional notion of success, often centered around earning a four-year degree and pursuing a white-collar career, is being redefined. Practical skills and the ability to perform skilled trades are now gaining more appreciation and respect….Companies can benefit greatly by partnering with trade schools and establishing apprenticeship programs to cultivate a skilled workforce. As we embrace these changes, it’s crucial to continue supporting and promoting the value of trade-based education, ensuring that it remains a respected, attractive, and feasible option for future generations.
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