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MBI's Job Board
MBI EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT
MBI'S JOB BOARD
BY ADAM DOBRASKA MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATE
MBI members have the exclusive benefit of addressing the workforce issue by utilizing MBI’s job board through iowaconstructionjobs.com. Members can have a designated person and/or people post available jobs on the Job Board in real time at their discretion. These jobs are prominently displayed, and potential employees will be able to view and apply for said position.
The Job Board is a tool for members to use as they look to grow/expand their company. The value that this provides to MBI members is extremely lucrative. We market the Job Board all over the State of Iowa, so it is important to make sure that you utilize it as often as you can. Workforce shortages are an issue in most industries, so this is one way in which we can help boost those numbers in a positive way. Our goal has always been to dedicate resources to help our members add quality employees. MBI’s Job Board is a great way for us to keep accelerating and expanding our workforce initiative.
MBI had a booth at the Build My Future event in April at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, and more recently participated at the Waukee APEX Career Showcase and the Iowa Industrial Technology Expo at SE Polk High School! These events were a great way for MBI to promote our members’ vacant jobs heavily. I was able to connect with many students who were interested in the trades, and showed them how to access and search for the many available jobs in the trades industry that were posted by our members. We did a phenomenal job of spreading information on how to search and utilize the Job Board at each event. The Build Iowa booth was a big hit amongst the students and their parents. The number one takeaway that I had in terms of feedback from parents is that they did not realize how many jobs were available in the building industry. The Job Board is a direct indicator of the opportunities out there just waiting to be pursued. These events are just a few of the examples of how we promote and market our Job Board. Many students were excited by the fact that they have so many options to choose from in the trades, and that can be directly attributed to them seeing the sheer volume of jobs available through MBI's website.
If you are interested in posting on our Job Board, please contact me at ADoBraska@MBI.Build or at 515-777-5054 or go to the following link to learn more: www.IowaConstructionJobs.com.
2022 Legislature Adjourns with
BY BEN HAMMES DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
On Wednesday, May 25th, the Iowa Legislature finished its remaining business and adjourned for the conclusion of the 89th General Assembly. While session was not traditional in nature, there were a lot of great improvements to the state of business and our building industry. We were able to accomplish something that this industry and association have been discussing for at least 20 years in providing another choice for public owners in this state.
The MBI Board of Directors initially approved 4 legislative priorities this session which included Construction Manager at - Risk, Tax Reform, Workforce Reform and Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Funding.
Construction Manager At-Risk Legislation
• MBI Position: MBI will continue to push our legislation from last year, Senate File 183 to final passage. • END RESULT: Senate File 183, which authorizes the use of Construction Manager at-risk for public owners, was signed by Govenor Reynolds on June 7, 2022. It went into effect July 1, 2022.
Tax Reform
• MBI Position: MBI will support efforts to lower personal and corporate taxes while encouraging transparent and stable reforms.
• END RESULT: Gov. Reynolds signed House File 2317 into law on Tuesday, March 1.
2022 Legislative Report Historic Achievement for MBI
Workforce Policy Reform
• MBI Position: MBI will support any and all efforts to bolster participation in the construction workforce. This includes supporting efforts to recruit people to Iowa, while encouraging retraining and retaining workers for immediate employment. • END RESULT: The House and Senate approved legislation that would reduce the number of weeks of unemployment eligibility from 26 to 16 weeks, or 6 months to 4 months. In the case of a plant shutdown, the weeks would be reduced from 39 to 26 weeks. Signed this bill in June 2022.
• MBI Position: MBI has a long-standing principle of protecting precious RIIF (Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund) dollars.
These are gambling revenue dollars used for public vertical infrastructure.
• END RESULT: The RIIF bill was a clean bill by comparison to other years. MBI will continue to press upon the Legislature the need to be judicious when appropriating infrastructure dollars. In every session, MBI spends time lobbying against certain pieces of legislation that would be bad for business and construction in Iowa. Two of those legislative pieces including prohibiting employers from implementing a no-guns policy in their parking lot, and mandating e-verify for all employers, did NOT advance and pass.
This was a very productive and beneficial session for MBI. There are a lot of other pieces of legislation that you might have questions on. If you do, please email Ben Hammes at BHammes@MBI.Build for a synopsis on any legislation.
The Construction Labor Shortage is Getting Worse, But It Can Be Fixed
By: Kendall Jones - ConstructConnect
Of all the challenges construction firms have faced over the last couple of years, from supply chain shortages to volatile material pricing to projects being delayed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the skilled labor shortage is the most concerning. The labor shortage in construction isn’t new, but it has gotten progressively worse—over 2.3 million jobs in construction during the Great Recession were lost from January 2007 to January 2011. By February 2020, there were still 77,000 fewer jobs in construction than in January 2007. And then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Between February 2020 and April 2020, the construction industry shed 1.1 million jobs. As of May 2022, construction employment had returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 7.664 million people employed. Despite that, the number of job openings in construction remains high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in April 2022, there were a record-high 494,000 job openings in the construction industry, up from 447,000 in March. Construction employment has increased by 118,000 jobs this year and the unemployment rate has dropped to 3.8%—almost half of what it was in January. An aging workforce and a lack of younger skilled workers pursuing careers in construction is a big part of the problem. The median age of people working in construction in 2021 was 42.3, while the median age in 1985 was just 36. About 43% of all people employed in construction are 45 or older. Compare that to the little more than 9% who are 24 or younger. Individual companies, and the entire construction industry, need to step up their efforts to attract more youth to jobs in construction.
494,000 Job Openings Unemployment Rate 3.8%
Recruiting & Retaining Top Talent
To attract top talent, you must establish your company as an employer of choice, both within your industry and your local area. Offering competitive wages and benefits like health insurance and gym membership reimbursement to your employees is just the beginning. Remember, you’re competing for employees just like you compete for work.
Construction firms need to increase their investment in the training and development of the workforce. Make sure you are making opportunities such as training and continuing education courses available to both your new and existing employees.
Offer to reimburse employees for classes once they’ve completed them. Potential employees want to know that there are advancement opportunities and multiple career paths to move up within an organization. Retaining good employees should be as crucial to your company as recruiting them. You want to keep the good workers once you’ve hired them.
This means investing in them and their continued growth and success with your company.
People want to feel like contributing team members instead of just employees who show up to do a job. Show your employees they are appreciated and valued. Keep employees motivated by recognizing and rewarding them for their hard work and dedication to your company.
Attracting the Next Generation of Construction Workers
Seldom will a job candidate walk through your door with all the prerequisite skills, education, training, and work experience listed in your job posting. Remember, skills can be trained, but a strong work ethic typically cannot. If you’re willing to put the extra time into training a new hire, make sure they have the right attitude, integrity, are reliable, and are eager to put in the same amount of effort you are investing in them. Construction firms need to look to the future by offering internships and co-ops to local high schools, trade schools, and college students. Reach out to your local universities and community colleges that offer courses of study in the construction industry. More and more companies are setting up training programs with community colleges and vocational schools to provide training programs to meet their needs.
Consider getting involved in youth programs like the ACE Mentor Program to get kids interested in construction careers. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Education Foundation (NEF) offers several education programs for both adults and young people. Their Block Kids program introduces grade school children to careers in construction. They also have a CAD/Design/Drafting Competition and an Accessory Structure Project competition for the high school level. Find local apprenticeship programs or start your own registered apprenticeship program and offer industry-specific training programs that can benefit your company. This creates an additional pipeline to tap into when it comes time to hire a new employee.
Construction Robots & Technology Can Help
The field of construction robotics has taken off in the last few years and could be vital in helping address the ongoing challenges construction firms are facing due to the labor shortage. Using robots can help make workers more productive and jobsites safer. It can also help attract the younger generations to the construction industry who expect to work with technology regardless of their field of work.
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