Colorado Real Estate Journal - April 20, 2016
During this present construction boom in Colorado, in which the evolving skylines are brimming with construction cranes, the industry as a whole is still facing shortages for qualified laborers. According to the Associated General Contractors’ 2015 National Workforce Survey, 86 percent of construction firms nationwide are having difficulty filling positions with 95 percent of Colorado firms reporting workforce challenges to hire salaried and hourly positions. Recognizing a need for change in the industry and a much-needed investment in education, the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs and Associated General Contractors of Colorado formed a joint initiative to support the Careers in Construction project. This nonprofit workforce development initiative facilitates local high schools with curriculum-based training certified by the Home Builders Institute, the educational arm of the National Association of Homebuilders. The main trades include basic skills for plumbing, electrical, HVAC and carpentry. The project provides a viable alternative to those students not seeking a traditional four-year degree, with competitive wages for skilled labor. The project will support construction firms by providing a resource pool of high school students equipped with basic skills for summer jobs and apprenticeships. Careers in Construction has been initiated in several school districts in Colorado Springs, including District 2’s Harrison High School, which piloted the program in the fall of 2015 with 16 students. District 49 added it to the curriculum for the spring semester of 2016 with 30 participants and District 11 is following suit in the fall of 2016. According to George Hess, chairman for the Workforce Development Committee, who helped launch the program, the interest is certainly growing in the school districts, but sustaining the initiative with necessary funding remains an issue. “This is not just an industry initiative, it’s a community initiative,” Hess said. “The project not only provides the opportunity for an upcoming qualified labor force, but also helps high schools provide an education alternative for students that may choose construction as a career path to support their future families without student loan debt.” “Programs like these lay the foundation to positively affect the future of Colorado’s infrastructure and support the growth of one of the fastest growing areas in the nation,” said Michael Gifford, president and CEO of AGC. For more information on the Careers in Construction project, visit cshba.com/careers-in-construction..