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Workforce Development
The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor, according to a proprietary model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors.
The Vermont ABC CCA program is continuing its success of enhancing the expertise of current workers. Recently the CCA class training involved harness skills, enabling the students to reach new heights on construction projects. The Vermont session classes take place on Wednesdays in Burlington, and demonstrates ABC’s ongoing commitment to provide value to its members.
Hispanics consisted of 30% of the construction workforce in the United States, according to 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, 46.7% of construction laborers in the United States are Hispanic. These statistics show that it is of ever-increasing importance to learn what is important and motivating to Hispanics/Latinos as they become a critical part of the construction industry and workplace.
Governor Phil Scott was joined by students and industry leaders, including ABC NH/VT CEO and President Josh Reap, at his weekly press conference today to proclaim October as Careers in Construction Month in Vermont, recognizing the many career opportunities within the construction industry.
Construction input prices decreased 1.4% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices fell 1.4% for the month as well.
According to the CDC, the U.S. construction industry has one of the highest rates of death by suicide. We must shatter the stigma surrounding mental health issues with the goal of creating a zero-suicide construction industry.
The challenges and misconceptions that hold women back from pursuing careers in AEC and technology are compounded when it comes to construction tech.
The challenge of finding employees is real across all aspects of the economy, but is particularly severe for the construction industry, which has seen continued significant growth from low interest rates, stimulus monies, increasing real estate values and pandemic inspired projects. The challenge of finding employees, let alone skilled employees, is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. Construction companies need to adapt to this new normal and offer what employees what they truly want.
After nearly two years of managing the workplace through the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic, employers are being impacted by another significant challenge: the “Great Resignation,” which is the recent trend of workers voluntarily resigning from their jobs en masse beginning in 2021 and continuing today. Employers across a number of industries, including construction, are facing the pressure of recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and integrating job candidates in record speed to fill vacancies and meet the operational needs of the business.
In January, Gov. Phil Scott highlighted making historic investments to grow and strengthen the workforce and give young people more career development opportunities. This includes adding $1 million to the state’s internship program and $1 million to Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s Advancement Grants, which help adults enroll in programs without a college degree; and investing $2.7 million to improve how to connect employers with career and technical education students seeking meaningful employment opportunities.