Who Will Build It?

  • By Deborah P. Moore
  • 09/01/15

There is no question that the construction industry is once again growing— In one year’s time – July 2014 to July 2015 — we saw a 12.7 percent increase in non-residential construction. The change in educational facility construction was not nearly as dramatic, but more money is definitely being spent. In the education segment, we saw a 3.6 percent increase in the value of total construction being put in place (a 7.6 percent increase in private construction and a 2.6 percent increase in public construction). The increase in construction activity is good news. The bad news is that now we are facing a shortage of skilled workers to do the job.

According to an analysis done by the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in July climbed to the highest level since February 2009, while the number of unemployed workers with construction experience shrank to a 14-year low.” Association officials cautioned that, “the diminishing pool of available qualified labor may be having an impact on the industry’s ability to meet growing demand.”

Many in the construction industry left during the downturn. Others, members of the baby-boom generation, are now retiring. In a July survey, the AGC reported that 86 percent of commercial builders said they’re having trouble filling hourly or salaried positions, up from 83 percent last year.

One effect of this labor shortage is likely to be an increase in the price we pay. Other effects we are likely to see include a decrease in quality and an increase in construction delays. It is a given that job experience and production quality go hand in hand when it comes to skilled workers.

As educators we are in a unique position to help ourselves… by providing adequate training for the next generation of skilled workers. Trade schools provide the basics of the construction profession, with instruction that offers a mixture of hands-on and classroom experiences. Experienced construction workers who want to manage construction sites can continue their education in a college or university offering a degree in construction engineering technology.

This is a challenge, for our institutions and the industry at large, that we are uniquely prepared to meet. Let’s work together to make it happen.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

    Furnishing the Future: Adaptive Solutions for Modern Learning Spaces

    On this episode of Schools in Focus, we'll talk about the role that classroom furniture plays in creating adaptive, flexible learning spaces. Our guest is Wesley Edmonds, the Director of Workplace, Adaptive Solutions at OFS.

  • Michigan School District Installs New Gun-Detection Platform

    Williamston Community Schools in Williamston, Mich., recently announced that it has installed the ZeroEyes gun-detection video analytics platform for its five schools, according to a news release. ZeroEyes is the only solution of its kind with a U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation and adds an AI gun-detection and intelligent situational awareness software layer into existing school security cameras.

  • Aims Community College to Build Workforce Innovation Center

    Aims Community College in Greeley, Colo., recently announced that it has broken ground on its new Aims Workforce Innovation Center (AWIC), according to a news release. The facility for workforce development, entrepreneurship, and education has a scheduled opening date of fall 2026.

  • UTEP Celebrates Construction Milestone for New Academic Building

    The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, Texas, recently held a “topping out” ceremony for its new learning complex, Texas Western Hall, according to university news. The construction milestone marks the placement of the last beam of a structure in progress.