By Lynne Harris, HBI Vice President, Corporate Communications
The construction industry is one of our nation’s largest industries; yet, the industry is facing a major labor shortage. The Construction Labor Market Analyzer predicts, “By 2019 construction companies are expected to have a deficit of 1.5 million craft professionals.” Builders, contractors and subcontractors are looking for skilled trades labor, workers who are trained and ready to begin work immediately. So, it is a construction worker’s market!
Skilled labor in the building industry will continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, “There will be 5.5 million jobs in the construction industry by 2021 and not enough craft professionals to fill them.”
By 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects construction jobs will increase by 10 percent, making growth in the construction and extraction occupations “faster than the average for all occupations.” With this kind of growth and the dire need for skilled labor, anyone interested in construction jobs should start planning for a career in the industry now!
HBI is doing its part to train, certify and place individuals in construction careers. Over the past 50 years, HBI has become a national leader of career technical training in the building industry by preparing underserved populations, including at-risk youth, veterans, transitioning military, justice-involved youth and adults and displaced workers, for high-growth careers in the industry.
With nearly 300 centers across the country, HBI has a national footprint with a process that includes a hands-on approach, technical and employability skills, core academics and real work opportunities with contractors on community service projects. Students can earn several industry-recognized credentials, including an HBI Pre-Apprentice Certificate, OSHA 10-Hour Safety Training, CPR, First Aid and a National Occupational Testing Institute trade-specific certificate.
HBI recently released a brochure—Careers in the Construction Trades—highlighting major skilled trades in the building industry. From carpentry to electrical to plumbing, the opportunity for individuals to become certified, skilled trades professionals and have a prosperous career in the industry is tremendous. The brochure includes national average wages and estimated growth per trade.
If you are a builder or subcontractor looking for trained and ready workers, consider hiring an HBI graduate. And, if you’re a potential student, get trained and get ready to pursue a fantastic career opportunity in the building industry!
