JULY 2017 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Workforce Development
Essential to Construction
Industrys Future
Associated Builders and Contractors Greg Sizemore and Jimmy Greene shared insights on
recruiting and training a workforce to meet the construction industry demands of tomorrow
L
ike the information technology
and healthcare sectors, the
construction industry faces a
skilled worker shortage. Associated
Builders and Contractors (ABC)
estimates that companies need
approximately 500,000 construction
workers today, with the potential for
the shortage to increase to 1.1 million
over the next decade.
ABC expects Congress to propose a
$1 trillion infrastructure plan later
this year, resulting in the need for
even more qualified workers to meet
the demand.
What we already know to be an issue
is going to become a much larger
issue, said Greg Sizemore, ABCs vice
president of health, safety, environment
and workforce development. He
explained that each of ABCs 70
chapters across America has a variety
of different training programs built
to suit the needs of both seasoned
construction workers trying to upskill
as well as those entering the industry
for the first time.
Sizemore believes that the industry
has to do more as a whole to face
the workforce shortage head-on.
We expect as an association to do
everything in our power to make
sure that the next generation of craft
professionals know that this is a very
lucrative career to get into, he said.
Jimmy Greene, president and chief
executive officer of ABCs Greater
Michigan Chapter and the Greater
We expect as an association to do
everything in our power to make
sure that the next generation of craft
professionals know that this is a
very lucrative career to get into.
Michigan Construction Academy, as
well as the chairman of ABCs chapter
presidents council, believes there are
simply not enough workers to fill the
need for nationwide infrastructure
rebuilding. He says that a back-to-
basics approach of investing in
human capital is the way to begin.
This is homegrown talent that we
had better start investing in long
before these bridges and roads start
crumbling around us.
Sizemore added that the most
important effort is to allow for an
easy transition into the industry.
We have to remove the barriers,
obstacles and excuses for people,
he said. To that end, ABC is leveraging
its 70 chapters to meet members
needs in specific locations across
the country.
JULY 2017 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Greene noted how ABCs wide-ranging
partnerships have been a critical
component to its efforts, and said the
industry looks to ABC as a leader in
workforce developmentsomething
he finds very rewarding.
Sizemore concluded that the
construction industry is one full of
opportunityeven more so now with
the increased use of technology. He
believes the technological evolution of
the industry affords huge opportunities
for people. We want to have skilled
professionals doing this work. We
want skilled project managers,
superintendents and front-line
supervisors leading this effort.
Greene said there are opportunities for
younger workers, older workers and
everyone in between. He acknowledged
a definite workforce gap, and believes
the best way to address it is by talking
to the next generation, young people
in particular, because if we dont
address this generational gap, its
going to be difficult.