CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION HOW YOU CAN HELP AS AN INDUSTRY BUSINESS OWNER

Managing the ebbs and flows of our recent economy due to COVID has been a challenge, but fortunately the housing market continues to rise, and our members are directly feeling the benefit to their workloads. This is a promising constant for our industry! Although, our building community along with the entire nation, is faced with the challenge of keeping up with the mass demand of remodeling and new building projects because of the widespread shortage of skilled labor.

The solution to this overwhelming issue is unknown. What we do know is that as industry veterans start to retire and leave the workforce, no one is there to fill in their shoes – in part, a result of decades of encouraging students to attend a four-year college rather than considering careers in the trades. Another challenge we are seeing is that as trade-based programs have been eliminated from high schools, kids are not being exposed to a variety of options of trade work that may interest them.

Over the past couple of years, Olympia Master Builders has taken on the skilled labor issue in our area and prioritizing opportunities to tap into our local youth, encouraging them to think about pursuing careers in construction.

One of our primary goals at OMB is developing a professional building industry. Accomplishing this goal requires us to not only look at our current professional industry, but also the workforce yet to be. It is part of our goal to help foster relationships and help encourage future employees and business owners to enter the construction trades as well as support those already doing the work.

One way to do that is to increase public awareness of the opportunities available in construction trade professions. And to get out in front of our potential future workforce by attending Career Days, hosting Workforce Development workshops, and to encourage our members to lend their skills and knowledge by doing the same. Ongoing efforts are important to achieve our industry-wide goal of increasing the number of professional construction related employees in our area.

Here are a few suggested activities that YOU, as business owners, can do in your community to spread the word about careers in construction.

OPEN UP YOUR SITE:

Consider opening up one of your construction sites and host a field trip. Arrange for students to tour the site and gather first-hand information about what it takes to have a successful career in construction.

"WORKING TOWARD OUR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN BUILDERS COUNCIL MISSION TO HELP TRAIN UP A STRONG WORKFORCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL, BUT REWARDING. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL CAREER FAIRS AND EVENTS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONSIDER A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE EYE OPENING AND FINANCIALLY REWARDING TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INSPIRED TO FIND A FAMILY WAGE CAREER AND JOB THAT THEY LOVE THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY REQUIRE A COSTLY 4 YEAR DEGREE. BRINGING ON A NEW GENERATION OF CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONSTRACTORS IS A REAL NEED TO MEET HOUSING DEMANDS"

BUILD A RESUME:

Check in with the local high school guidance counselors and coordinate a resume building session to help students prepare for a career in construction. Provide interview and resume tips.

VISIT A CLASSROOM:

Present the customizable Careers in the Construction Trades PowerPoint (available through OMB or NAHB) to local middle school and high school students. You can also access the Cheat Sheet for using the Careers in Construction Trades presentation.

HOST A JOB SHADOW DAY: Plan a day to coordinate with the local schools to host a job shadow day. To meet future workforce demands, educators and employers need to reach out to the next generation of construction craft professionals. It is through industry and education partnerships that students get first-hand work experience.

• Young people spend time with adults at their workplace

• Students see the responsibilities and daily tasks, as they spend time in the work environment.

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE DAY:

Just as important as it is to entice new employees into the trades workforce, it is equally important to recognize those already working in the industry. Schedule a Construction Employee Day to honor your construction management and construction trade professionals. Show your employees they are appreciated...

• Company-wide party, picnic or luncheon

• Gifts with company logo

• Recognize an employee of the year

PLEASE SHARE THESE STATISTICS WITH YOUTH WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION