As of July 2018, the construction industry’s unemployment rate in the United States is 3.4 percent, the lowest it has been in at least two decades. Jobs have been multiplying almost too quickly to be filled by qualified workers. These shortages can lead to roadblocks in projects by adding to the expense and length of construction.

Congress and the White House have been making efforts to bring more skilled laborers to the workforce with actions such as reauthorizing the Perkins Act. Also, programs are being brought to high school students and young adults to teach them the necessary skills to begin a career in construction.

To stomp out the labor shortage fire before it catches wind, companies in the industry are taking the initiative by seeking out groups of people to train who otherwise aren’t being utilized to the fullest as a resource in the industry. This means reaching out to groups such as young adults, at-risk-youths, veterans, and women, to bring them the training necessary for a career in construction. Read Brian Gallagher’s article in Manufacturing.net to learn more.