The Skilled Labor Shortage in Construction & How Programs Are Filling the Gap

The COVID pandemic not only created supply chain issues but also highlighted the continuing widening gap in skilled labor – both in construction and other skilled trades. 

But the gap between available workers and opportunities is most pronounced in the infrastructure field. The Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the construction industry needs to attract 650,000 additional workers – on top of the normal pace – to meet the demand for labor.

When there is a lack of skilled workers in construction, this means there are delays in project completion, issues with quality control, and increased risk of costs for the builder.

What is causing the skilled labor shortage in construction?

Several factors contribute to the skilled labor shortage. But there are two persistent factors.

40% of the construction workforce is expected to retire over the next decade. The current shortage of 43,000 construction-industry workers is expected to widen over the next 2 years.

There is also a lack of exposure to trade programs and careers in public schools. As students are pushed towards college, fewer young people are learning about trade careers and their benefits.

What are the solutions to the skilled labor shortage?

There was a time you could put up a “help wanted” sign, and you’d have loads of applicants with qualified skills. But today, workers expect more for themselves and from their employers. 

One thing workers want is to be given the right training, tools, and resources to do their job effectively.

So one way these needs are being addressed is through newly designed programs that aim to train people in key construction skills to fill the labor gap. 

Here are just a few of those programs.

Florida Trade Academy – Tampa, Florida

Florida Trade Academy was founded to help bridge the education and opportunity gap for students who don’t find their path through the traditional college route. Co-founder Chris Pello said, “...the need is so great for many who don’t see college as their right fit.”

They offer a pre-apprenticeship program to help untrained workers enter the construction industry through hands-on training and in-person & virtual classroom instruction. Students try out different specializations before choosing a trade to focus on – including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal, sprinkler fitting, roofing, carpentry, and pipe fitting.

Iowa School of Construction – Des Moines, Iowa

The Iowa School of Construction was started by business owner Perlla Deluca, President of Southeast Constructors, Inc., to help fill the construction hiring need. Their mission is “skill building and workforce training that equips graduates with the skills necessary to gain entry-level employment in the Construction Industry.”

They offer women in construction sections, bilingual sections, and accommodations for learning disabilities.

Shawnee Community College – Cairo, Illinois

In partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration, Shawnee Community College started a new construction training program. 

They aim to help women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals find employment in construction with a mix of hands-on training and classroom instruction. Their first cohort of students graduated in 2022.

Capital College and Career Academy – Sacramento, California

Kevin Dobson, a former Career & Technology teacher and school principal, started Capital College and Career Academy. The focus of this free public charter school is to serve high school students by “using construction trade as an avenue into a career.” The school will see its first cohort of students in 2023.

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