Construction Employee Workforce

Or maybe, my headline should have been, a weakening construction employee workforce. The vast majority of contractors, consultants and other people within the construction industry that I have spoken with have all made clear that one of their biggest concerns for the future is the lack of skilled labor coming into the construction industry. The last I heard, the average age of a construction worker was 50+. This means there is going to be a lot of turnover in the near future and a growing concern as to who will fill these positions. When I inquire about why owners feel this is a problem, many are quick to point out that there is no longer any encouragement given to a career in labor. Kids are being told to go to college, work in an office. In addition, many programs and opportunities at schools, such as shop-type classes are the first to be cut when budgets get tight, which limits the exposure the blue-collar careers. This is why it was encouraging to read an article about how hands-on classes are making a comeback. There are students who want to pursue a career in construction or would be best-suited to follow this path - as many construction jobs pay much better than what students will make coming out of college with four-year degrees. Without a certain skill set or background, it would make entry into this career even more difficult. Not to mention task construction businesses with having to develop workers with zero experience. And why should they be required to do that? You don't expect accounting firms to teach their new employees how to use calculators. High schools have lost the focus that they need to develop and provide opportunities for its students for all facets of life once they graduate, and not just going to college.
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