The construction industry has enjoyed steady growth for the last several years but has had difficulty finding the skilled workers it has needed (labor shortage).
This shortage of skilled workers is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, barring efforts to address the issue. Across the industry, steps are being taken to alleviate the chronic shortage of skilled workers that threatens to severely constrict this vital sector of the economy. Expanding the diversity of applicant pools, supporting skilled trades training programs, and creating a more diversity-friendly workplace are all steps that show promise.
Programs are already in place to reverse decades of decline in vocational training in favor of college educations in our high schools. The ACE Mentor Program of America Inc. is one such program that provides mentorship to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) high school students in construction, architecture, and engineering. Many essential construction jobs are STEM-related, and the ACE Mentor Program has leveraged this relationship to become the construction industry’s fastest-growing high school mentoring program.
As in other STEM-related fields, there has been an increasing emphasis on reaching out to young women. Women continue to make up only a small fraction of both construction and general STEM workers, so there is considerable potential here for growth and expansion. Efforts are underway to address health and safety concerns specific to women on construction sites.
On December 15, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed its alliance with the National Association of Women in Construction to increase awareness of these issues and promote better conditions and prevent hazards to women in construction.
A nationwide effort to reeducate young people about the ability of skilled tradespeople to make a good living is ongoing. The fact that a mid-career skilled trades worker can make a better salary than a clinical laboratory worker at the same career point —without a huge student loan debt—surprises some and motivates many to re-think their career path.
Sierra View’s company culture emphasizes strong values and a commitment to long term relationships with both our staff and clients. We value diversity in the workplace and encourage our team members to freely communicate their ideas and seek assistance with any challenges they are facing. Our goal is to be the employer of choice in commercial construction in California. That goal leads us to work hard to create a work environment that is stable and supportive, and that’s given us the best team in the business.
If you are ready to bring your talents to the commercial construction industry, at an industry-leading company with a proven record of success, we’d like to explore what you can offer as a member of the Sierra View team.