{"id":6947,"date":"2012-07-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-07-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/construction-industry-concerned-about-skilled-worker-shortages-in-the-near-future\/"},"modified":"2012-07-01T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2012-07-01T00:00:00","slug":"construction-industry-concerned-about-skilled-worker-shortages-in-the-near-future","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/construction-industry-concerned-about-skilled-worker-shortages-in-the-near-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction Industry Concerned About Skilled Worker Shortages in the Near Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

With unemployment in design and construction reaching
\nover 20% in the last couple of years, skilled worker shortages may seem like
\nthe last issue that the construction industry needs to worry about. However,
\nthe demographics of an aging workforce, combined with the loss of workers
\nduring the recession and the greater demand for workers expected as the economy
\nrecovers, require the industry to consider whether the new worker pipeline is
\nsufficient. In addition, rising trends that require workers with
\nnon-traditional skills, such as collaboration and green building, raise the
\nquestion of whether there are enough workers with the experience and skills necessary,
\nas these trends become more integral to the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to these concerns, McGraw-Hill Construction
\nrecently conducted research on workforce shortages and green jobs. The survey
\nresults have been published in the Construction Industry Workforce
\nShortages: Role of Certification, Training and Green Jobs in the Filling the
\nGaps SmartMarket Report.<\/i> The report reveals that workforce shortages are
\nexpected. It also demonstrates that more than one third of the industry has a
\ngreen job, and that the green building market, and the jobs associated with it,
\nwill continue to grow at a strong pace. In addition, the study provides insight
\ninto the role of certification in helping both workers and companies to succeed
\nto meet these new realities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skilled-Worker
\nShortages<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

By 2015, McGraw-Hill Construction forecasts that
\nnonresidential construction will grow to be 73% higher than 2011 levels. While
\nit is important to remember that the 2011 levels of new construction starts
\nwere very low, sustained levels of low activity over the past several years
\nhave increased the number of workers who have left design and construction to
\nwork in other fields. In fact, 58% of a representative sample of architects,
\nengineers, general contractors, and specialty trade contractors are concerned
\nabout the loss of experience and skills due to workers leaving the industry
\nbecause of the recession.<\/span><\/p>\n

Construction, like many other industries, also has a
\nsignificant number of baby boomers who are now approaching retirement age. 60%
\nof the survey respondents are concerned about the resulting loss of knowledge
\nas these workers retire.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a separate, but related, survey of practicing architects
\nand architectural students conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction for the
\nAmerican Institute of Architects (AIA), 79% of practicing architects who expect
\na shortage are unsure whether the student pipeline will be sufficient to fill
\nthe gaps. In addition, 78% of architecture students and recent graduates
\nexpress interest in working abroad, with over half motivated by the perception
\nthat more work is available outside the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, even with the recovery just gaining momentum, 69% of
\nA\/E and general contractor respondents expect some skilled worker shortages,
\neither among architects, general contractors, or specialty trade contractors,
\nby 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

Green Jobs and
\nthe Green Building Market<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

In
\naddition to the results, the new report provides a construction
\nindustry-specific definition of green jobs. McGraw-Hill Construction defines
\ngreen jobs as those involving more than 50% of work on green projects, or jobs
\nthat involve designing and installing uniquely green systems. Green projects
\nare defined by McGraw-Hill Construction as projects that adhere to LEED or
\nother credible green building certification programs, projects that are energy
\nand water-efficient, and projects that address indoor air quality and\/or
\nresource efficiency. Focusing on construction professions exclusively, these
\ndefinitions excludes support; administrative professionals; and manufacturing,
\nproduction, or transportation-related personnel. These definitions allows the
\nstudy to determine the level of green jobs in the industry based on direct
\nindustry feedback. <\/span><\/p>\n

In 2011, McGraw-Hill Construction estimated that green
\nbuilding accounted for 41% of the total non-residential construction market.
\nThis strong positioning of green projects in the marketplace is also reflected
\nin the number of green jobs; the survey reveals that green jobs account for 35%
\nof all the jobs in non-residential construction, representing nearly 650,000
\njobs. Both green projects and green jobs are also expected to increase their
\nshare of the overall market, with green projects accounting for nearly half
\n(48%) of the total market by 2015 and 45% of workers by 2014. <\/span><\/p>\n

This dramatic growth has significant implications for the
\navailability of skilled workers necessary for these green jobs. In fact, even
\nnow, the industry finds it challenging to find green, skilled workers, with
\nmost of the respondents reporting that they have difficulty hiring green,
\nskilled employees:<\/span><\/p>\n