We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
    • AHR Live 2023
  • PODCASTS
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » Almost 7 Out of 10 Construction Firms Struggle to Fill Hourly Craft Positions

Almost 7 Out of 10 Construction Firms Struggle to Fill Hourly Craft Positions

September 1, 2016
No Comments
And while that figure is 10 percent lower than what the AGC reported in a similar survey last year, three-quarters of construction firms in this year’s survey think it will be even more difficult to find those workers throughout 2017.

A nationwide survey conducted by the Association General Contractors of America of 1,459 contractors found that 69 percent are having difficulty finding workers to fill hourly craft positions.

And while that figure is 10 percent lower than what the AGC reported in a similar survey last year, three-quarters of construction firms in this year’s survey think it will be even more difficult to find those workers throughout 2017.

Firms responding to the survey also report other labor woes:

  • 38 percent report difficulty finding salaried field positions.
  • 33 percent report difficulty finding salaried office positions.
  • 15 percent report difficulty finding hourly office positions.

“With the construction industry in most of the country now several years into a recovery, many firms have gone from worrying about not having enough work to not having enough workers,” said Stephen Sandherr, chief executive officer for the Associated General Contractors.  “These shortages have the potential to undermine broader economic growth by forcing contractors to slow scheduled work or choose not to bid on projects, thereby inflating the cost of construction.”

Tight labor market conditions are prompting nearly half of construction firms to increase base pay rates for craft workers because of the difficulty in filling positions.  Twenty-two percent have improved employee benefits for craft workers and 20 percent report they are providing incentives and bonuses to attract workers.

Forty-eight percent of firms also report they are doing more in-house training to cope with workforce shortages while 47 percent report they are increasing overtime hours and 39 percent are increasing their use of subcontractors.  In addition, 37 percent report getting involved with career-building programs in local schools.  Twenty-one percent report they are increasing their use of labor-saving equipment, 13 percent are using offsite prefabrication and 7 percent are using virtual construction methods like BIM.

Sandherr called on federal, state and local officials to outline on the measures in the association’s Workforce Development Plan to address the growing worker shortages. In particular, he urged Congress to reform and increase funding for the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, enact immigration reform and make it easier to set up charter schools and career academies that teach basic construction skills.

For full national survey results, analysis of the data and regional and state-by-state results, click here.

 

Business Contractors & Installers Industry Community News
  • Related Articles

    AGC: Only 19 states added construction jobs as firms run out of people to hire​

    AGC Survey: 79 Percent of Construction Firms Plan to Expand Payrolls, But Equal Percentage Worry About Finding Workers

    ‘NEXT Coalition’ of Leading US Engineering and Construction Firms Challenges Industry to Enhance Health, Safety Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Related Products

    Directory Listing - Premium

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • Chicago Plumber’s Union Dyes Chicago River Green for St. Patrick’s Day 2023

  • Six Truths About New DOE 2023 HVAC Efficiency Standards

  • Everything You Wanted to Know About Orangeburg Pipe (But Were Afraid To Ask)

  • The Basis for Most Plumbing Codes

Featured Video

Caleffi video thumb

The Gold Standard: Separation with NO Compromise

Industry Events

  • 26Mar

    MCAA 2023 Annual Convention

    Phoenix, AZ
  • 29Mar

    2023 SFPE European Conference & Expo

    Berlin ,
  • 11Apr

    ASA ELEVATE2023

    Charleston, SC
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw03 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe03 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc03 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Es 2022
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2023 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing