BUILDING A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE WORKFORCE OF PHILADELPHIA

BUILDING A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE WORKFORCE OF PHILADELPHIA

BY MEG GINSBERG, MANAGER, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | GBCA

The future of the construction industry is bright, thanks to an initiative by GBCA to develop the next generation of workers.

As part of GBCA’s three-year strategic plan, the organization is engaging with Philadelphia-area school aged individuals, with the goal of introducing 25,000 school aged individuals in the Philadelphia region to the construction industry by 2025.

While the construction industry is thriving in the Philadelphia region, many school aged individuals are unaware of the variety of career opportunities available to them, beyond traditional roles like carpentry or masonry. GBCA has established a roster of events and a variety of materials to introduce young people to sustainable career opportunities in the union construction industry.

Reaching these 25,000 school aged individuals now is critical to the future of our industry. Not only to fill the pipeline and ensure we have an adequate workforce but to ensure our industry is representative of the community we work in.

Creating a Blueprint of Opportunity

To reach these school aged individuals, GBCA is initiating a variety of programs and events to educate them on the opportunities available. This includes attending industry career days and open houses and providing helpful resources such as the Build Your Career booklet, which provides information on how to get started in more than a dozen trades in the construction industry. Each trade features an overview of the job, available opportunities for work within that job, and contact information to get started with job training.

GBCA’s Tuition Reimbursement guide also serves as an invaluable resource for apprentices and students looking for financial support during their training. The guide provides information on relevant classes at The Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware Technical Community College, Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson University, Penn State Abington, Rowan University, Temple University, University of Delaware and West Virginia University. As part of the program, up to $4,000 per year can be reimbursed for students working for a GBCA active and associate member company.

GBCA is also working closely with industry leaders to provide more opportunities, information and resources for architects, engineers, and construction through the Master Builders’ Institute website. Targeted toward students interested in a career in design and construction, its primary goal is outreach to local schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Lastly, giving members the stage to talk about their experiences and career paths is one of the best resources to connect with the younger generation. GBCA’s Construction Leadership Council often hosts its Casual Conversations program, which invites CLC members to speak with school aged individuals in post-secondary programs in the Philadelphia region. These chats connect emerging construction professionals with school aged individuals, providing information about what to expect after graduation, as well as tips to help them as they move forward in their careers.

Similarly, members have participated in other speaking opportunities, like Mayfair Middle School’s Dope Student Podcast, where a GBCA member was invited to join an episode of the podcast.

GBCA Construction Career Day Event

On Tuesday, May 21, GBCA is hosting its first-ever Construction Career Day event, held at the Finishing Trades Institute. During this daylong event, middle school and high school students will learn about educational opportunities and career options within the construction industry. Those attending will engage in hands on activities related to different trades and hear from seasoned industry professionals. There is no cost for students to attend and lunch will be provided.

By leveraging new and existing programs designed to reach students, GBCA continues to shape and elevate the future of the construction industry.