October is Careers in Construction Month. If you or someone you know is ready for an exciting career, now is the time to take action. We need hardworking individuals to help our local communities grow and thrive.
Construction careers are in great demand and will be for the foreseeable future. According to the Association of General Contractors, the industry employs 7.9 million employees and creates nearly $1.8 trillion worth of structures each year. Construction is one of the largest customers for manufacturing, mining and a variety of services. Last year, the construction industry faced record-breaking employment and unemployment numbers. We had an average of 390,000 job openings nationwide every single month, the highest on record, while, at the same time, we had the second lowest unemployment rate on record at just 4.6%.
Growing demand, including an increasing number of mega-projects to construct things like chip manufacturing plants, clean energy facilities and infrastructure, paired with a declining rate of workers entering the workforce and an increasing rate of workers retiring — nearly 1 in 4 construction workers are older than 55 — is creating the “perfect storm” we face today.
And though all of us in the industry are working to fill the gap in the industry, we need more people to specialize in skilled trades. According to this model, nearly 4 out of every 10 new construction workers since 2012 have been construction laborers, the most entry-level, general occupational title. At the same time, the number of skilled workers has grown at a slower rate or declined. So, not only are we in a labor shortage, we are in a skills shortage.
If there is a skilled trade that interests you, start training today. Looking ahead to 2024, the construction industry will still have work to do. Throughout Careers in Construction Month and beyond, we will work to fill labor and skills gap. But we need talented people like you to help us on our mission. And, there’s no better time than now. You can get started on your construction career journey today.
- You can start with training.
Further your education at a local training center or through an earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship. Click here to find a training program near you, including career technical education and colleges. Or click here to find the right apprenticeship fit for your schedule and goals.
- Or you can jump right into the workforce.
With the right credentials, you could begin your career in construction today. Access Ohio is looking for candidates right now. Complete the online form here to get in front of employers today or search current job openings here.
As you begin your career in construction, remember that we at I Build America are here to support you. Sign up for our newsletter and continue to check back on our page for ongoing updates. Next week, we’ll break down specific career categories in detail
