Recruit, Train and Retain: Building a Better Workforce

摘要

Across the country, industrial and commercial contractors are facing shortages of craft professionals. The unfortunate reality is that these shortages will only get more severe as the economy recovers. Why does the construction industry continue to struggle to meet this demand for a skilled workforce? The answer is that the majority of contractors and owners have not committed to the core aspects of workforce development: recruiting, training and retaining. With respect to recruiting the younger generation, today's career and technical education (CTE) programs are the industry's best resource. However, only 26% of high school students and 64% of postsecondary students who take craft training while in school enter the industry. Often, this is due to the lack of collaboration between industry and education. On the industry side, the complaint is that schools are not teaching the specific skills contractors are looking for in new recruits. Given these facts, the solution is obvious: The industry must increase its support for CTE programs and work closely with education providers to ensure those programs are teaching students the skills to succeed on the jobsite. Through work practices and outreach, contractors must also promote a positive perception of the industry in their local communities in order to attract the younger generation.